Page 66 of Head First
‘And I still don’t understand how we would navigate the Sydney–Columbus problem.’ I can’t resist pointing it out. I’m hoping that if we agree this could never go anywhere, I wouldn’t ever need to tell Hugh the truth.
‘That doesn’t matter,’ he says. ‘I’ll see you in April anyway.’ He squints at me. ‘Right?’ He’s referring to the conference he’s going to in April to present his paper, the paper on the extinction of the butterfly wrasse. I know Millie would kill me for agreeing to participate in the circulation of Hugh’s research, especially at her expense, but I can’t help but agree to see him. A two-hour flight is a lot closer than a twenty-four-hour travel day.
‘If you want to, then yes.’
‘It’s settled then. I’ll see you in Boston. We can figure it out then.’
‘That doesn’t settle anything,’ I argue back softly.
‘Sydney is better.’ Hugh closes his eyes briefly and then opens them again. ‘I hated when we were avoiding each other all day.’
‘I hated it more.’
‘We would figure it out, you know,’ he says. His voice is sleepy.
‘I can’t leave my family,’ I respond, my voice in a whisper. ‘They need me.’ Although as soon as the words are out of my mouth, I’m not sure if they need me or if I need them.
Hugh squeezes my hand gently when I take the washcloth away. I leave him in peace, trying and failing to find distraction upstairs. Eventually, I come back to our room. He’s finally been able to drift off.
‘Goodnight, Hugh Harris,’ I whisper, as I climb up into my bunk.
Chapter 25
One dive left
Hugh groans from his spot on the tiny twin bed. He looks comical in it, his six-foot two frame stretched out across the mattress. One of his legs dangles off the side. He’s somehow got more tanned with each passing day. He’s come a long way since I only knew him as ‘angry suntan man’. His calf muscle twitches as he rouses himself out of sleep.
‘Feeling better?’ I ask. I’ve already had a cup of coffee and changed into my swimsuit. Once the sun came up, I couldn’t sleep. Today is my last chance to spot the wrasse. The waters are much calmer this morning, the boat hardly rocking at all.
‘Much,’ he says, although he still hasn’t opened his eyes.
Colour has returned to his cheeks. He looks healthy again. Staring at him, I wish I could stay here, in this cabin, for hours. I want to tell him the truth. Then I want him to forgive me. I want to feel his lips on mine once more, his strong hands, the gentle pads of his fingers on my skin. I want to run my hands through his hair, down his back, feel him respond to my touch.
‘Millie,’ he moans, interrupting my thoughts, ‘I can’t get up. I’m tired.’
‘I’m really glad you’re feeling better,’ I say, reaching down to pat him on the shoulder. When my fingers touch his skin, electricity zaps through me.
He cracks his eyes open. ‘Thank you for taking care of me.’ He smiles, and then it quickly turns into a grimace. He blushes, and I register that it’s the first time I’ve seen him flush such a deep red.
‘It was nothing.’ I wave it off.
‘Seriously.’ Hugh looks at me intently. ‘I owe you one.’
‘No, you don’t.’
‘Am I remembering correctly that you still wanted to see me in Boston, even after the night I had?’
‘Maybe,’ I say coyly.
He punches the air triumphantly. ‘And you have to talk to me about something.’ He looks me in the eye. ‘And I take it, now is not the time.’
I shake my head. ‘They’re prepping our dive,’ I say, ‘we have to get ready.’
‘Already?’ Hugh moans again, turning to his side. ‘I’m exhausted.’
‘I would say you can stay and rest, but I’ve got a wrasse to find, and I need my partner.’
I stride out the door, leaving him grumbling in my wake.
