Page 50 of The Hitchhiker in Panama
“No, like,as long as I wanted. Like, across the Pacific with you all.”
He grinned at me. “Are you thinking about it?”
I huffed at him. “That’s not exactly an invitation from you, is it? Do you even want me to come?”
Eivind propped himself up on his arm and leaned down, pressing his nose to mine. “Lila, come sail across an ocean with me.”
I shoved him away and he grunted as he hit the bed. “Seriously, that’s it? You both are so casual about this like it’s not a huge deal that you are inviting me to join you all to sail across an ocean. Do you know how ridiculous that is?”
Eivind sat up. “I know it is a big deal. But what is the worst that could happen?”
“I could be a murderer! I could break your boat!”
“That you worry about those things makes me trust you. We trust you. It is the people who are careless who I worry about. You are not careless. I trust you because I see you understand the value of these things: our lives, our boat, our stuff. You are interested in it all and curious and thirsty to know more. Most people would be scared to do this thing, but it does not paralyze you. Someone who has made a commitment like you have, to do these things that you want to do, you do not let yourself be stilled by it.” He touched my cheek. “Lila, this is what I like about you. You are brave and happy, and you have come onto this boat and I like how independent you are. That is why I would want you to stay.”
I swallowed, a hunk of emotions in my throat.
“I know, though, that you have things you wanted to do. You may not want to push off your plans to go to South America and travel. I do not want to make it seem like they are the same adventures—they are not. This is harder. But yes, of course I want you to come.”
“You don’t think it’s crazy that we’ve only known each other two weeks and I’d go sail across an ocean with you?”
“It is crazy.” He grinned and pulled me onto his lap. “I am a little crazy. You are a little crazy. What do you think is the crazy part? Is it us, and that we are sleeping together? Or is it the sailing part?”
I leaned into Eivind’s arms. “Both?”
“Okay. Sailing a boat offshore is safer than riding in a car. You are more likely to die in a car accident than out in the ocean.”
“Really?”
He nodded.
“Statistically proven?”
He nodded again. “Now, say we broke up. There are—”
“Wait,” I interrupted. “If we broke up? I wasn’t aware we were dating.”
“Well, no. But if you say yes to sailing across the ocean with me, you will say yes to being my girlfriend.”
“Oh, is that how it works? Okay, Mr. I Have It All Planned Out, what happens if we break up?”
“I will let you have the whole boat. Unless I am on watch, I will stay in my cabin—I usually do anyway—and you will barely see me. I know the rest of the crew would still like having you around.”
I sighed. “Well, it’s not a perfect plan, but I appreciate it.”
Eivind kissed my head and leaned us back onto the mattress. “Is that a yes?”
“Let me think about it. I’d have to delay my flight again.”
“We would need to go buy some supplies for you.”
“Like what?”
“You need a harness, maybe some gloves, and more food. Stuff like that.”
“Hmm.” Combined with the canceled flight, this might be too expensive for me. I studied Eivind’s face carefully. “What about when we get there? What happens then?”
“If we are still together?” he teased.
