After inhaling deeply, Marissa executed a less elegant dive but kicked strongly toward the ocean floor. The bright sunlight illuminated the pale sand and volcanic rock formations. A magenta squarespot flitted between tendrils of purple anemones. Her floating hair obscured her view for a moment then a tug on her ankle brought her attention around to Linda, who was pointing out a longfin bannerfish.

They shared broad grins then both kicked toward the surface. Marissa blew her snorkel out and snatched it out of her mouth so she could spit out the sea water.

“I wish I could do this all day but I think I have to stop. I’m so thirsty and my lips feel like they’re going to peel off.”

Linda, who looked like a sea goddess with wet, red lips and gleaming expressive eyes, said eagerly, “Oh, we can’t have that! Sea water is dehydrating. Let’s get something to drink.”

They were only a few hundred feet from their bungalow, and Marissa waded out of the gentle surf first, her fins dangling from her fingertips. She abandoned them on their porch. “I’m positively craving a Coke.”

“Welcome to a retreat from the modern world. I think it’s time for a coconut rum with banana, all blended up with ice.”

“Sounds heavenly. I just want to towel off.” Inside the bungalow Marissa quickly brushed her hair after slipping out of her swimsuit. A dry T-shirt and pair of shorts was nothing she’d ever take for granted again. The open market in Fare Town had provided all the basics, true, but at a hefty price tag. Worth every penny.

She emerged into the sunshine again saying, “I must be getting old to appreciate clean clothes so much. When I was a kid I could stay gritty and grimy for days and not even think about it.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”

Marissa arched an eyebrow. “How old do you think?”

Linda rolled her eyes. “Oh please, let’s not play that game. I’m thirty-one. I’m thinking you’re about that.”

“Oh. Thirty-four, just. I thought you were older. Not that you look older, you look about twenty-five. But you’re wise and knowledgeable about so many things, and traveled so much. So I was thinking thirty-five at least, to have seen all you’ve seen.”

“I started early on the living thing.” Linda had an odd expression on her face but before Marissa could ask further, she said, “The ocean, fresh bread and a blended drink. What more is there to life?”

They ordered their drinks at the thatch-roofed bar, Linda making a few odd comments in French to the bartender along the way.

“I can think of a few things,” Marissa answered finally, as she carried her drink to the open-air table under the awning. She took a quick peek for sand fleas—they seemed to like her a lot—and saw none. “Chocolate and sex.”

“Yes, to both.” Linda winked and Marissa’s heart started beating hard again. It wasn’t fair that Linda could get such a response, and so easily.