Page 4 of Until Presley

“Oh really? My father has been towing me along on all his research trips since I was born. We lived in France for years while he studied the whales of the Mediterranean. I’ve had my scuba certification since I was ten.”

“Impressive,” Otto says. “But, little girl, we’ve been deep diving since before you were probably born.”

“I doubt that. I’m twenty-four.” My hand goes to my hip, and I stomp my foot.

“Presley, let’s prepare to launch.” Dr. Miller’s voice distracts me, and I turn and nod. None of the other researchers or aides help him like I do, even though that’s exactly what Margo and her Barbie doll friend—whose name I can’t remember—are supposed to be here for. Instead, they act like this is a party boat and don’t help.

I move to the back of the boat and climb over to the dive platform, where I jump back to the dock. I start removing the lines and glance over when I hear a thump. It’s Ham, coming to help me. I move toward the spring line next.

“Get back on board. I’ll get it,” Ham orders. I huff when he tips his head down, daring me to defy him.

I jump back on, and Walker helps me as Ham moves with the spring line, while Dr. Miller maneuvers the boat with the captainwatching. Ham leaps for the boat, landing like a jungle cat on the deck. I hear one of the girls sigh, and again, that pang of jealousy hits me.

But I know how it is. I’m the nerdy girl no one is really attracted to.

Ham

Iwatch as my little sprite tries to avoid me. She is helping the professor while two of the other girls sit on the sofa, staring at Walker, Otto, and me like we’re on the lunch menu.

At one point, Walker holds up his hand and flashes his wedding band, then they zero in on Otto and me. Otto is okay with it. He’s fucked every girl he could when we used to travel. Now that we’ve settled in the Keys, you’d think he would slow down, but he hasn’t. He’s out clubbing every chance he gets, including last night. I went along like I always do, to keep an eye on him, but I don’t mingle or hang out with the women there.

I look over to see Presley standing with her hip kicked out as she studies the laptop. Her sunglasses are off, and she’s talking to the professor. I’m impressed by how long she’s been diving, but even more so by how focused she is. She knows exactly what she’s talking about as she converses with the other scientists on board.

“Oh, it’s so hot today,” one of the girls says and lifts her T-shirt, revealing a tiny, flowered bikini top that barely covers her breasts.

I turn back to Presley and catch her watching me. Hurt flashes in her eyes before she quickly pulls down her sunglasses.She moves to the bow and sits down, pretending to check the scuba equipment. I know she isn’t because Walker is already doing that.

I follow her.

“So you’ve been diving for years?” I hear Walker ask her.

“Yep. My dad is a marine biologist too. He studies whales and their migration patterns.”

“So you’re following in his footsteps?” Walker asks.

“Sort of. He and my stepmom are both in the field. She researches plant life. I’ve always been fascinated with sharks, though. That’s why I’m going for my doctorate.”

“You’re going for your doctorate?” I ask as I move over to sit beside her.

She looks between me and Walker before she answers. “I have a year and a half left, unless I push through next summer again like I did this year. Then I’ll only have a year.”

“Dang, so then we can call you Dr. Presley?” I joke. Her lips tip up slightly.

“That’s Dr. Blanchard to you.” She jokes back.

“I like that. Where’s your favorite place to dive?” Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Walker move to the back of the boat, leaving us alone.

“I love diving in Australia. Shark Bay is fun, but I love going near the reef and just exploring. Hawaii is beautiful too.”

“Been to all those too. Although we didn’t go into Shark Bay. We were outside it, at a wreck site.”

“You explore wreckage? Like a treasure hunter?”

She leans back, and I do too. She doesn’t flinch away when I lay my arm behind her on the edge. Just a small flex, and I’ll have her close to me again and in my arms. Something I want desperately.

I chuckle and shake my head. “Sometimes we would help with that, but a lot of the time, we’d also be called in to do repairs while the ships were still in the water.”

“Are you an underwater welder?”

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