Chapter 37
GRADY
T he scent of sizzling hamburgers filled the air. I stood at the grill, tongs in hand, flipping patties while Felix fussed over the condiments like a mother hen. Cece and Lina were setting up the table with the chips and potato salad we bought.
“Medium rare for me, Grady,” Felix called out, adjusting his tweed jacket even though it was far too warm for it. “I don’t want to risk overcooking it.”
“You’re lucky I’m even cooking for you,” I shot back, grinning as I flipped another burger. “Next time, you’re on grill duty.”
Cece appeared at my side, holding a plate piled high with buns. “Need any help?” she asked, her blue eyes sparkling with that same fiery energy I’d come to admire.
“Nah, I’ve got it,” I said, though I didn’t mind her standing close. “But you can grab the cheese if you want.”
She nodded and darted off. I couldn’t help but watch her for a moment, my chest aching with something I wasn’t ready to name. She was magnetic. Everything she did made me want to push her against the wall and fuck her until neither of us could stand.
She returned with the package of cheese.
“Thanks,” I said.
I slid the last burger onto a plate and joined the others at the table.
The sun was setting on what was a great day.
Cece sat across from me, her cheeks flushed from the day’s excitement.
Felix was to my left, meticulously assembling his burger with surgical precision, while Lina sat at the end of the table, picking at her food with a bored expression.
“So,” I said, taking a bite of my burger, “what do we think about today’s find? Pretty incredible, right?”
Felix nodded enthusiastically, his mouth full. “Absolutely. Those instruments are in remarkable condition for being underwater for centuries. The craftsmanship is stunning.”
Cece leaned forward, her eyes bright with excitement. “I can’t stop thinking about who might have owned them. A ship’s navigator? A captain? What kind of person carried those tools across the ocean? What were they thinking when the ship went down?”
I smiled at her enthusiasm. “That’s what I love about this job. It’s not just about the artifacts—it’s about the stories behind them. Every piece we find is a window into someone’s life.”
Lina sighed loudly, setting her fork down with a clatter. “I mean, it’s cool and all, but it’s not exactly treasure, is it? No gold, no jewels. Just some old tools. Tools like that have been found so many times. It’s not that exciting.”
I shot her a look, trying to keep my tone even. “It isn’t about the value, Lina. It’s about the history. These tools tell us who these people were, how they lived, what they valued. That’s the real treasure.”
Cece nodded in agreement. “Exactly. It’s not about the money. It’s about preserving their story. Giving them a voice again.”
Lina rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair with a dismissive shrug. “Yeah, yeah, I get it. History is important or whatever. But let’s be real—gold would’ve been way more exciting.”
I clenched my jaw, biting back the sharp retort that threatened to spill out.
Felix cleared his throat, clearly sensing the tension.
“Well, I think it’s fascinating,” he said, his tone cheerful as he tried to diffuse the situation.
“And who knows? Maybe we’ll find something even more incredible tomorrow. ”
Cece smiled at him, but I could see the flicker of irritation in her eyes.
She didn’t like Lina’s attitude any more than I did, but she was better at hiding it.
I admired that about her. One of the many things I liked.
She had an amazing ability to stay composed even when she was clearly frustrated.
I wondered if she was born with that patience or if it came from being a parent.
The conversation shifted to lighter topics after that, but the tension lingered like a storm cloud. As we finished eating and started cleaning up, I found myself stealing glances at Cece whenever I thought she wasn’t looking.
When the table was cleared and the dishes were done, we moved to the firepit.
Lina had bought a bottle of cheap wine at the store.
She apparently had enough of beer, even though she only drank one the night before.
We were all taking it easy. The real celebration would have to wait until we didn’t have to dive the next day.
I nudged the firepit embers with a stick, sending a spray of sparks into the humid night air.
Lina was holding on to the plastic cup filled with her cheap wine.
She had put on a hoodie with the ZU logo on it but still wore those short-shorts.
Cece sat across from me. Even with her very casual get-up, I still thought she was much prettier than Lina.
There were different levels of beauty. Lina clearly worked hard to be attractive to people, layering on the makeup, showing a lot of skin, and being flirty. Cece was naturally gorgeous without doing a damn thing.
Lina let out a loud sigh as she looked into her cup. “I’m gonna find something even better tomorrow,” she declared. “Mark my words. I’m going to find actual treasure. Stuff that they are going to write about.”
I exchanged a glance with Felix. She was all bravado, but frustration cooked behind that pretty mask. Cece had gotten the spotlight, deservedly. Lina was not the type of woman who liked to be second place. It killed her that Cece had found something while Lina had not.
I caught Cece’s eye, and she smiled and gave a slight shake of her head. To think I almost kept her off the trip. Someone would have discovered the chest eventually, but I was glad Cece got that thrill. I loved seeing her eyes dance with excitement. It just made her prettier.
I stood up and moved to the chair next to Cece. She looked up as I approached with a soft smile. I dropped down beside her, close enough that our shoulders brushed. Felix watched me but said nothing.
“You were incredible today,” I said. “That chest is a game-changer. Those charts we found inside? They actually confirm it’s Gordon’s ship. This project is going to get funded now, no question. And it’s all because of you.”
She blinked at me, her lips parting slightly in surprise. “Really? You think so?”
“I know so,” I said firmly. “You were in the right place at the right time, and you knew exactly what to do. That’s not luck, Cece. That’s skill. You’re amazing.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down at her hands for a moment before meeting my gaze again. “Thanks, Professor Stone. That means a lot coming from you.”
I usually didn’t like when she was formal. When it was just the two of us, she called me Grady. I liked that better. But considering Lina and Felix were watching and listening, I actually appreciated it.
“I’m sorry I doubted you,” I admitted. “You proved me wrong in the best way possible. I’m proud of you.”
I didn’t mean to lean into her. It just happened.
One minute we were sitting side by side, the fire crackling in front of us, and the next, her shoulder was pressed against mine.
She laughed at something Felix said, her head tilting back, and it was like she was stroking me.
I couldn’t help but laugh too, even though I hadn’t really been paying attention to the joke.
Her laughter was contagious, and I found myself leaning closer, our sides brushing with every breath.
She shifted slightly, her knee bumping against mine.
I didn’t move away. Neither did she. Her hand rested on the arm of her chair, fingers tapping absently to the rhythm of some song only she could hear.
My hand was right there, inches from hers, and for a moment, I thought about reaching over and lacing my fingers through hers.
But I didn’t. Instead, I let my arm brush against hers, the contact sending a jolt of electricity up my spine.
“You’re going to fall over,” she teased when I leaned in again, her voice low and playful.
“Maybe I want to,” I shot back, grinning as I nudged her shoulder with mine.
She laughed again, a soft, breathy sound that made my chest tighten. “Careful, Professor Stone,” she said, her tone light but her eyes holding mine for a beat too long. “Someone might get the wrong idea.”
“Let them,” I murmured before I could stop myself.
Her smile faltered for just a second, her gaze moving over to look at Lina, who was staring at us. She was scowling.
“You guys have fun,” Lina said, jumping to her feet. She marched off with her sandals flapping along the walkway.
Felix sighed and gave me a pointed look. “Grady?—”
“Yeah?” I asked, voice low. I didn’t want to be lectured, but maybe I needed moderation.
“It’s late,” he said. “We should probably all get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a big day.”
That’s when I understood. Cece and I looked a little too cozy and comfortable together.
But Felix was right. We had to pull back. Nothing good came from crossing lines when people’s livelihoods were at stake.
I dragged myself away from the firepit with a sigh, the warmth of Cece’s shoulder still lingering against mine.
Felix fell into step beside me as we walked back to the dorms. I was pissed.
Pissed that I couldn’t just sit there with her, pissed that Lina had to make everything awkward, and pissed that I had to care about any of it.
“You need to be careful, Grady,” Felix said quietly as we walked. “You two looked like a couple back there. And I’m fine with it. Hell, I think it’s great, but Lina? She’s not exactly subtle. And her family is tight with Dean Carver. You know how that could go.”
I clenched my jaw, staring straight ahead. “I know,” I muttered. “I know.”
“Do you?” Felix pressed, his tone sharper now. “Because if Carver gets wind of this, she’ll use it against you. She’s been looking for an excuse to kick you out of the university, and if she thinks you’re crossing lines with a student?—”
“She’s not my student,” I snapped, cutting him off. “She’s a TA. There’s a difference.”
“Not to Carver,” Felix shot back. “And not to anyone else who might be watching. You think Lina’s not going to run her mouth?”
I groaned because I knew he was right. “I get it,” I said, hating how trapped I felt. “I’ll be careful.”