Page 46 of Sin Bin Daddies
She tells me about creatures that live in total darkness, coral reefs, underwater volcanoes.
And I listen—really listen—because it matters to her. Because somehow, it’s starting to matter to me.
“So you’re a marine biologist,” I say after a moment.
She nods. “Yep. That’s me.”
“Figures. You sound obsessed.”
She laughs, nudging me. “I am.”
There it is again—her honesty. No filter, no game. It’s disarming as hell.
“Ever been snorkeling?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I’ve wanted to.”
“I snorkel most mornings.”
Her eyes light up like I just offered her front row tickets to something she’s dreamed of.
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear and grins. “Think I could come with you sometime?”
I nod. “Sure. We’ll make a deal.”
She lifts a brow. “Oh?”
“You teach me about marine biology,” I say. “I’ll teach you hockey.”
She laughs. “Oh, this is dangerous.”
“Deal?”
She holds out her pinky. “Deal.”
I stare at it for a second. It feels childish. Dumb. But I hook my pinky around hers anyway. And something sharp and real settles in my chest.
A pinky swear like that should mean nothing.
But it does.
I don’t do this—this light, easy, soft shit. But with her… I want more.
More of her laughter. More of her voice.
More of the way she looks at me.
I glance away, trying to keep it together, trying not to let her see what she’s doing to me.
“Pretty angel girl,” I mutter under my breath.
She doesn’t hear me.
Probably for the best.
