I brought goggles and snorkels for us.” He swam back to the boat and tossed them to Marsha.
Marsha put on the gear and plunged underwater. A school of fish crossed her path. She spotted a variety of corals and got lost in the undersea world. How could she not appreciate the sea? Mysterious as it is, she learned water now calmed her.
Back in the surface, Andre swam toward her. “How’s it going so far?”
“I don’t think I’ve seen that many fishes in my life.”
“You know, I lied to you,” he said.
One eyebrow raised, Marsha said. “What do you mean?”
“I bought this property and this is where I’ll build my home.”
A breath escaped her. Marsha would never be able to afford a property like this in San Francisco. “You’re lucky to be in paradise.”
“I can’t take all the credit. My parents started the real estate business when I was a toddler. I grew up mostly with the nanny, but now I understand how hard they worked to give me a privileged life. We traveled all the time and every moment was an adventure.”
With no kids, Marsha and Blake could have traveled more often, but all they did was work. She was clearly missing out. “Are you the only child?”
“Yes.”
“I hate to ask you this question, but why is an attractive and well-rounded man like you still single?”
He dipped his head under the water and bounced back to the surface. “Let’s say I haven’t found the one yet.”
Tying her hair in a bun, Marsha put on her psychologist cap. “It must be difficult to find someone who likes you for who you are and not for your money.”
His eyes settled into the water.
“Now, it’s my turn to apologize.”
Shaking his head, he said. “You’re right.” He faced her. “I’m not good with people.”
“You seem to be comfortable with me.”
He laughed. “That’s probably because you’re not from here.”
Marsha joined in the laughter. “Trust me, I thought I had my life all figured out, until it fell apart.” Tears welled.
Andre leaned close to her and wiped her cheek with the back of his hand.
She felt his comfort as they gazed into each other’s eyes.
He broke the silence and pulled her hand. “Let’s go check for more fish.”
They spent the entire day swimming and enjoying the day.
C H A P T E R 8
A fter a day of snorkeling, both Andre and Marsha stood on top of the mountain next in line for the zip line.
“I thought I’d take you to the mountain for a change,” Andre said.
“You don’t have to go out of your way to take me anywhere. The beach itself is a treat for me.” She was surprised she said that considering that a few days ago, she hated the beach and the sun.
He put the helmet on Marsha. “You look like you need a piece of adventure.”
Was she that obvious? Was Dr. Lee trying to transform her? “What do you mean?”
Not answering her question, he tightened her seatbelt. “The trick is not to look down.”
The next thing Marsha knew, her body was gliding two hundred meters above with the forest surrounding her. Her heart almost jumped out from her chest and she almost puked, but then she remembered what Andre told her about not looking down.
Upon arrival, she tried to catch her breath. She removed her helmet and paced around trying to calm her nerves. This wasn’t her type of thing. Perhaps she should just call Dr. Lee and cancel this whole thing. Andre is a nice guy, but she wasn’t an adrenaline junkie.
Andre arrived moments later, glowing as ever. His expression changed when he saw she didn’t share the same enthusiasm. “Was it too much for you?”
“What did you mean back there?” She asked as they strode back to his Jeep Wrangler .
“What?” He opened the door for her.
“That I need some kind of adventure.” She stepped inside the car. “What is so wrong with keeping things simple? I like my life, I don’t need to climb a mountain and take risks to be happy. I’m happy having a glass of wine over dinner.