Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
Russ sat behind Tessa in the dinghy as she slowed the small vessel and guided them back toward the catamaran, her posture straightening with every yard they covered.
The urge to protect her was growing inside of him. He’d seen the discomfort in her eyes. And he got it. The ocean could be overwhelming—especially to someone who wasn’t raised with their toes in the surf.
He just wanted her to love it out here—as much as he did, and in whatever capacity she chose. Was there anything wrong with that?
When they reached the side of the catamaran, the waves splashing against the boat, he tied off the rope and climbed out first, then turned and reached for her hand.
“Easy now,” he said.
She took it, and he helped her up with a gentleness that surprised even him, welcoming the feel of her hand in his. Was he just being a good captain, taking care of his guests?
Yes. And no.
This guest was special. Anyone else he probably would’ve taken straight back to the catamaran without a detour or an impromptu lesson about a water toy.
But she wasn’t just anyone. She was quickly becoming someone important to him. And that was frightening. Because all other worries aside, he had to face it—she was only here for a few more days, and then she’d be gone. Nearly six-thousand-miles gone.
But—she lived in Miami, where he was trying to get his next job. So, there was a chance… The thought of it was a little crazy, wasn’t it? He was fixating on something that had such a tiny chance of actually happening that it was almost ridiculous.
But there was a very small chance that they could see each other again when all of this was over. So why couldn’t he just explore this friendship and see if there was anything here? See if there could be anything between them down the line?
He sighed. Was he an idiot to even think this way? Because by the time he secured a job and made it back to Florida—if he even managed to—she’d already, without a doubt, be snagged up by some other guy. Because—look at her. She was the perfect woman. Beautiful. Fun. Sweet. Real.
There was no way she’d be single for long. He shook off the thoughts as he grabbed her a towel.
Once on deck, she took it from him, then pushed a damp strand of hair behind her ear, turning to face him .
“Thank you,” she said, her face glowing. “That was incredible. I think I’ll pull out my book and go lay in the sun while the brave ones finish their swim.”
“You should go up to the top deck,” he suggested. “There’s a good spot with cushions and some shade if you want. Near the bridge.” He wanted to pamper her. Give her everything the boat had to offer.
“Perfect. I’ll do that,” she said, her smile softening. “Thanks.”
But before Tessa went upstairs, Jules came out of the galley, interrupting the moment. “Where’s everyone else?”
“At the reef. I’m heading back there now. Tess’ didn’t want to go in, after all.”
“Russ let me drive the dinghy.”
Jules nodded at Tessa, then shot him a look when Tessa turned. One that said this was highly unusual—for him to be spending time alone in this way with a female passenger.
Which was fair. Jules knew the rules as well as he did and knew they all stood to be reprimanded if rules were broken. She could lose her job just as much as he could if things weren’t kept professional on board. But he shook his head to assure her it was nothing. She nodded. If you say so, boss…
He’d done nothing more than show a guest a good time.
“I’ll see you later.” Tessa smiled, then climbed the stairs to the top deck as he hopped back into the dinghy, ignoring the burn in his throat.
Tessa was still riding high after a quick lunch and a change of clothes. The group was setting out again, this time toward the nearby island of Taha'a to see a famous black pearl farm Russ had told them about.
The morning’s snorkeling adventure had left everyone sun-kissed and buoyant with excitement. They piled into the dinghy in shifts—Malik had ferried the first group across to the dock while Tessa, Russ, and a few others had waited for the second run. And now it was their turn.
Russ lounged in the back, sunglasses pushed up on his head, casual but attentive, monitoring the dock ahead as Malik steered. Tessa caught his eye and smiled. “You’re all going to love this place,” said Russ.
She didn’t doubt it. As a scattering of simple blue-roofed buildings came into view on the edge of the lagoon, her interest grew.
Against the backdrop of lush greenery and impossibly clear turquoise water, the place beckoned like something out of a travel magazine for off-the-beaten-path adventures.
A few fishing boats bobbed nearby, their faded hulls tied to weathering posts. The scent of salt and blooming flowers filled the air, and the faint clink of someone working inside one of the sheds carried across the water.
The dinghy reached the dock, and Tessa stepped up and took a deep breath. The air smelled like fresh wood, sea spray, and something sweet—like coconuts roasting somewhere out of sight.
The pearl farm was small and intimate. No flashy displays. Just hand-painted signs pointing toward the tour area and a tidy gravel path leading to a bright blue house perched among a crop of trees.
Jenna immediately began snapping photos, her phone held high, calling for Drew to pose with her in front of the rustic sign.
“My roommate won’t believe how beautiful this place is until she sees it,” she said, grinning, then posted it to her social media. “Oh, my gosh, we actually have service here, you guys.”
“No way?” Marin pulled out her phone and started posting photos while she walked.
Tessa smiled, unconcerned. She’d be sharing her photos with her family later, but who else back in Miami did she want to show them to? Everyone she cared about was here.
They followed a sandy path to a shaded platform where a cheerful guide greeted them. “Welcome! So glad to see you all today. We’ll begin with a short demonstration before you explore the showroom.”
He led them around the back of the blue house, where a raised platform overlooked the calm lagoon. Below, rows of buoys floated on the surface.
“Out there,” the guide said, pointing, “are the oyster baskets. Each one is hand-seeded and tended for two to three years. A single oyster may only ever produce one pearl. ”
They leaned on the railing, listening as he explained the nuances—how water temperature, oyster health, and time all shaped each gem’s color and luster.
How the Tahitian pearl was specific to this part of the world.
He lifted a small oyster shell from a demonstration tank beside him and gently opened it to reveal a single gleaming black pearl.
There were a few gasps. Jenna, of course, filmed the whole thing for her social media.
Drew elbowed Kyle. “Dude, you better be taking notes.”
The guide laughed and handed the pearl to Avery to examine. “Just for show. But we do have plenty for sale.”
The place was amazing, and this was exactly the kind of excursion Tessa loved—something that included a little bit of education, a hands-on tour, and a beautiful setting. She smiled, remembering how Russ had told her they’d love this. He’d been right.
Inside, the showroom was sunlit and airy, the salt breeze drifting through open windows. Trays of black pearls in every tone, from blue-gray to bronze, glimmered under glass.
Marin hovered over a set of delicate black pearl earrings. “These would go perfectly with that green sundress I brought.”
Kyle leaned in. “Then you should get them. You only turn thirty once, babe.”
“I totally agree, Kyle,” said Tessa, and Marin smiled broadly before she held them up to her ears and looked in the table mirror .
“Yes,” agreed Avery, who stood nearby as Nate looked on, trying on a bracelet.
Tessa studied the jewelry as she browsed the showroom, running a hand over a delicate necklace, but no, she’d only get the pair of earrings she’d already purchased. The pieces were stunning, but many were pricier than she’d imagined.
So as the rest of the group busied themselves indoors, she wandered back outside toward the hand-painted sign that read Explore the Grounds . That certainly sounded like something she’d like to do. Why not follow the sandy path toward the beach and do exactly that?
The midday sun lit the water like glass. A rope hammock swayed between two trees. A massive banyan tree towered to her left, and in its branches, a charming treehouse tucked itself between limbs like a secret hideout. She smiled up at it. Now, that was something she’d have to see up close.
Then, just beyond the hammock, beneath the shade of another wide tree, she spotted him.
Russ. Sitting on a weathered bench, arm draped casually across the backrest, gazing out at the view by himself, like he had all the time in the world.
Her heart gave an involuntary little skip.
Without overthinking it, she waved at him and headed in his direction.
Russ leaned back on the sun-warmed bench, feeling the salt-heavy breeze slipping over him.
He’d checked his email when he’d heard Jenna mention the cell service, recalling that the pearl farm had public Wi-Fi.
But still, there was no word from Miami.
He’d have to stay patient. But if only he’d find out this week…
Things could be… different, if he got the job.
Jules had stayed on the boat to get ready for dinner.
Malik was currently nowhere to be found, probably taking a nap in the sun somewhere.
Russ couldn’t blame him—this stop always had a sleepy, timeless quality that made you want to stretch out and forget the clock existed.
It was the perfect place to take a break.
He glanced up as Tessa waved him over, standing near the base of the sprawling banyan tree, her thick, dark hair falling over her shoulders, her face bright with excitement.