Page 58 of Night and Day
She spotted moisture in the corner of his eye as he turned to her. “Me, too. It’s easier to talk in the dark.”
“Why do you think that is?”
He frowned. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I’m not trying to read your face. It makes me more cautious.”
“Yeah. The information we get through our eyes is almost... distracting. There’s too much going on. But when you touch me—”
“It’s simple,” Izzy finished, covering her eyes with his hand. “Like this.”
She held still and closed her eyes, hyper aware of every location where his skin made contact with hers. His other hand traced her face, tickling her jawline. She lived for those moments when he touched her, always waiting for the next one, her skin vibrating like it held a charge.
“You’re right. That’s simple. Can we just stay eyes closed from now on?”
His voice sounded light and happy. “I might need my eyes a little to drive us out of here.”
“Yeah, okay. But as soon as we arrive in Wellington, I get to blindfold you! And then it’s my turn to pick songs.”
Izzy coughed, his voice sounding thick. “Um... Sure.”
Mia blushed as her mind replayed the words. “I didn’t mean... never mind.” She took a step back, heat rushing to her cheeks.
Izzy pulled his hand away, letting the sunshine stream into her eyes. “Yeah, I know. We should get back on the road.”
He led them along a path to the carpark. The warm, muggy air coated her skin with a film of sweat and she missed the cave even more.
On the way, they bumped into Deke with a group of tourists, including a mother pushing a pram. He raised his thumb for Izzy, who returned the gesture. “It’s locked. Thanks, Deke.”
“Thanks,” Mia echoed, and they rushed past the group. She watched as Deke guided the people to the cave entrance, gesturing wildly as he explained something to the captive audience. She could hear their laughter, but couldn’t make out the words.
“He must be a great tour guide,” she mused.
Izzy nodded. “He’s really good at dad jokes.”
As they reached the car, Izzy’s phone rang, startling them both.
“Excuse me,” he muttered, pulling it out of his pocket.
Mia circled the car, giving him some space. She might as well check her own email since they were clearly back within mobile coverage. But before she got to it, she happened to look across the roof of the car and froze. The expression she caught on Izzy’s face made her feel colder than the cave.
