Chapter 3
Chapter Three
ELI
I’d left the windows open in the dive classroom to let in the morning breeze.
I moved with purpose, my fingers deftly arranging scuba gear on the long table standing at the front of the room.
Tanks gleamed like polished treasures, each one waiting for a new adventure beneath the waves.
I double-checked the straps on the buoyancy control devices, methodically checking every inch.
This wasn’t just my job. It was pure passion, a love letter to the ocean that had always been my home.
But even as I focused on the equipment, my mind drifted back to two nights ago at Conch Republic when I’d walked by Lacey and Julianne’s table.
Despite being mad as hell at her and not trusting myself to speak, I’d noticed her, all right.
How her dark hair flowed freely over her shoulders for once instead of the tight bun, framing green eyes.
Dressed casually in a white sleeveless blouse, she looked damn attractive, almost disarming.
I would have never admitted it to anyone, but I couldn’t help noticing how gorgeous she was when she let her guard down.
How different.
That thought made my stomach sour and I scowled.
She didn’t deserve my admiration. Not after what happened with the dive computers.
They were a vital piece of equipment that I needed, and now I was out of ideas on how to get them.
I’d set up the rental gear with the old dive gauge consoles that morning—each twist of my wrench a reminder of her role in this mess.
But Julianne was the last thing I should be thinking about.
Hell, I didn’t even like thinking about her.
So I grabbed a clipboard and jotted down notes for this morning’s scuba lesson plan, trying to push aside the simmering irritation.
In front of me, rows of sturdy plastic chairs faced the front of the room behind tables, each one positioned for optimal viewing of the whiteboard, where I’d scrawled my class notes and the upcoming schedule.
A tall bookcase stood against one wall, filled with fish identification books and scuba certification course packs.
Just then, the familiar ring of the dive shop bell above the glass entry door broke my concentration.
I perked up, recognizing Harper’s voice mingling with my nephew Finn’s excited chatter.
I stepped out of the classroom and into the main dive shop area, the vibrant aquamarine walls greeting me like an old friend.
“Guess who just got a new mask?” Five-year-old Finn’s voice rang out, filled with glee.
“Let me see it!” I called out as I entered the large room. “Uncle Eli needs to make sure it passes muster.”
I leaned against the glass counter as Finn handed me a neon green mask. Like his mother, his hair was medium brown with a light wave, but his eyes were blue instead of brown.
“I don’t remember discussing this purchase, Finn,” I teased, but a quick inspection revealed it was solid quality. “Did you get a mask without my okay?”
“Yep, Mom surprised me with it today,” he declared, spinning around like an underwater superhero before stopping in front of a wall of fins.
He picked one up and turned it around in his hands.
The sight warmed something in my chest. He reminded me so much of myself as a kid, filled with wild dreams and boundless energy.
“Island Market had them on closeout, and I couldn’t resist,” Harper added with a smile and a shrug.
As I nodded and handed the mask to her, I caught sight of my mother entering the shop. She surveyed the area, her silver-streaked auburn hair swaying slightly as she moved. Her warm brown eyes scanned the racks of gear. “Everything looks great, Eli. You really kept this place organized.”
“Thanks, Mom. That’s the idea.” I flashed her a smile, but I wondered at the flicker of concern in her gaze.
“Diving is the one area of his life he doesn’t allow to fall to rack and ruin,” Harper added with a broad grin.
I reached up to scratch my cheek with my middle finger and her smile widened.
“Do you need anything before your class?” Mom asked, still studying the shelves lined with BCDs.
“Nope. I think I’m good.”
“Good to hear.” She smiled, but I could tell her mind was somewhere else entirely.
“Can we snorkel now? Can we, can we?” Finn tugged at Harper’s arm, his excitement bubbling over like a shaken soda can ready to explode.
“Soon, okay?” Harper kneeled to meet his eager eyes.
Finn took the mask from her and slipped it over his eyes, pretending to peer into the depths of the ocean as he twirled around once more in front of a wall with an aquatic scene painted on it.
This was what diving was all about—freedom, exploration, being part of something totally unknown to most people.
“All right, little explorer,” I said. “You’ll make a fantastic diver one day.”
“I know!” he shouted, puffing out his chest proudly. “I’ve got you to teach me.”
“That’s my man.” I turned to Harper. “Escaping the lobby this morning?”
Her smile faltered as she straightened up and brushed a few strands of hair off her forehead. “Yeah. A guest complained about a pothole in the parking lot, so I had to get a repair lined up. We need to grade the whole thing. Or better yet, pave it.”
“Sometimes it feels like we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place,” Mom added quietly, folding her arms across her chest.
“Maybe we just need to find a balance,” I suggested, trying to play peacemaker. “We don’t have to change everything. But… a little upgrade wouldn’t hurt, right?”
“Fixing potholes, yes. But upgrades wipe out history,” Mom replied, her tone measured.
“They can, but we can’t be afraid of progress,” Harper interjected gently. “The world is changing. We have to adapt or risk losing what we love.”
“I agree. But at what cost?” Mom’s voice dropped, almost wistful.
The familiar clash brewed between them, each holding tight to their beliefs.
Mom had been at the reins of the resort since our dad walked out nearly two decades ago, leaving all of us behind.
It had been a terrible time, but we’d pulled together as a family and persevered.
I wanted to support Harper’s vision for a modernized resort, but honoring Mom’s attachment to our roots weighed heavily on me. She was our rock and anything that stressed her out made me worry.
The dive shop door opened again, and an excited trio stepped through, my students. All three pairs of eyes were filled with excitement, which was what I liked to see.
“We’ll let you go, Eli.” Harper placed a hand on my shoulder before she, Finn, and Mom headed toward the door. She turned her smile to the prospective divers. “Have fun, guys. You’re learning from the best.”
“All right, team! Welcome to the dive shop!” I called. “Today, we’re going to explore the basics of scuba diving in our first classroom session. By the end of our class, you’ll all be ready to take the plunge. Literally!”
Laughter sounded from my students as we headed to the classroom.
I grinned, the rush of adrenaline kicking in.
Forget the parking lot debates. Right now, it was all about the ocean and sharing that love with others.
With my family fading into the background, I focused on my role as an instructor—a task that brought clarity.
And there was nothing better than the sound of laughter and the promise of adventure ahead.
Later that afternoon, I was alone in the shop and working on dive trip assignments for my two divemasters and myself.
Though I taught a fair amount of the time, I never missed the opportunity to lead dives on our daily two-tank trips for certified divers.
The hum of the air conditioner filled the dive shop as I typed away.
I assigned myself my fair share of beginner groups.
I never made my divemasters take the newbies while I cherry-picked the experienced divers.
But my focus shattered like glass when the door opened. I raised my head, expecting another eager student or perhaps Finn looking for an excuse to try out his new snorkeling gear.
Instead, Julianne stepped in.
She hesitated at the threshold, her navy pencil skirt and fitted white button-down contrasting starkly against the backdrop of wetsuits and colorful snorkels hanging from the walls.
Her eyes darted quickly around the room before settling on me.
She took a deep breath and quietly shut the door behind her before walking along the wall of fins.
Hands clasped behind her back, she inspected them closely.
“Julianne.” I tried to inject some levity into the air, thick with sudden tension. “Lost your way to a board meeting?”
“Very funny.”
“Can I help you with something, or did you come to deny me something else?” I waved a hand toward the neatly arranged dive gear.
“No denials today.” She strode toward me, the heels of her shoes clicking against the non-slip floor, each sound echoing like a reminder of our different worlds colliding. “Um. Yeah. I need to discuss your upcoming class schedule.”
That floored me. “Really? You know you can’t dive in a business suit, right?”
She glared at me, and I sent back a blinding smile, knowing it would irritate her more. I was right. Her eyes narrowed and she opened her mouth. But before she could say anything, she snapped it shut and took a big breath.
“Thank you for the information. I am aware.” Her voice was steady but held an edge that hinted at her discomfort.
She remained quiet, shifting from one foot to the other, and I was both intrigued and tempted to mess with her.
It was like watching a fish swim against the current.
She was trying to navigate, yet clearly struggling.
“Well”—I broke the silence— “as much fun as it is chatting with you, let’s get down to business. What do you need from me?”
“I need to talk to you about Lacey’s wedding plans,” she said haltingly.