When he showed no signs of returning, she gave in. She’d go to the edge of the water, but she was not going past her ankles. She stood and slipped her shoes and then her sarong off, taking her time to build her courage.

She turned toward the ocean.

Please don’t eat me alive.

She approached the shoreline. A small ripple reached out and tickled at her toes. When she looked at Liam, he was wearing a wide, satisfied smile that she would’ve liked to wipe off his face.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he said, coming in closer and holding out a hand. “The sea is your friend. It doesn’t want to hurt you. It wants to comfort you.”

She waved his hand off. The surf came rushing in this time and slid over her ankles in a threatening tease before backing off again. “I’m not going all the way in. This is enough. Come closer so we can talk.”

“Just a few more steps,” he said, his voice cajoling. “At least to your knees. You can’t really feel the rhythm of the water unless it’s up to your knees.”

That was nonsense, but Quinn didn’t want to argue. She took another step, letting her feet disappear. Something touched her foot, and Quinn jumped, then felt silly. She could feel her pulse rushing through her, but she realized it wasn’t logical to feel so alarmed by the water. She was born in Hawaii! The love of water should be running in her veins, just like it did in his.

It was frustrating, this knowing that she couldn’t beat the fear, no matter how irrational she knew it was.

When she looked at him again, the ingratiating smile was gone.

He held his hand out again. “You can do it, Quinn,” he said, his tone soft, comforting.

I am a strong woman, she told herself. Then she took a deep breath and another step. She cautiously took Liam’s hand, and he led her out a few more feet until the water was at her knees. Her hands shook, and he clasped her fingers tighter.

Quinn tried to pinpoint the emotions racing through her.

It felt terrifying.

And amazing.

She looked into his eyes, and a giggle bubbled up in her throat. When it emerged, he joined her, his laughter mingling with hers. He wasn’t making fun of her either. He was celebrating the milestone that he somehow instinctively knew she’d crossed.