As Deep As The Ocean by Cindy Caldwell

Author:Cindy Caldwell [Caldwell, Cindy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-29T04:00:00+00:00

Eleven

“You’re up early,” Raul said as he shuffled onto the patio, a cup of coffee in his hands.

“Yes,” Alex replied, not sure even where to begin. He’d come home from dropping Cassie off and confirmed his worst suspicions. He’d dug the report about the vaquita sanctuary out of his briefcase and stared at the cover, and the name of the author, for what had felt like a lifetime. Then he’d read it, cover to cover. Her passion and commitment came through on every page and not only was she brilliant, she was determined. And he and his family were the ones standing in her way. His heart ached. He shook his head and filled in his friend.

“You mean she’s THE Dr. Lewis, the one who wrote the whole report?” his friend asked at the end of his story, even though he’d confirmed it at the beginning. It definitely was a lot to take in.

“Yes,” Alex mumbled. “And now I’m really in a bind. I’m going out on a panga with her today to spy for vaquita.”

Raul whistled slowly. “Wow. I can’t believe she’d take you, knowing who you are.”

Alex cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. He set the report down on the table between them and sighed.

“Are you telling me she doesn’t know? You didn’t tell her?” Raul asked, his eyes wide.

Alex stood and walked to the edge of the patio, looking out over the water. “I couldn’t do it. If I told her, she’d hate me and never speak to me again. I didn’t—I don’t—want that.”

“Alex—”

Alex held up his hands to stop his friend. He knew what he would say. And he agreed.

“I know. I’ll tell her. I’ll tell her today.”

Raul poured himself another cup of coffee and took a long sip. “Hopefully she won’t throw you off the boat.”

Alex laughed, but it felt hollow. She had every right to throw him off the boat and more. He had known exactly how they all felt about the resort, almost from day one. And he hadn’t told her. It felt like downright lying.

“I have a phone call in to my mother. Maybe I can salvage this. Maybe she’ll agree to the sanctuary, and Cassie might forgive me.”

Raul joined his friend and looked at the view. “Even if she got the sanctuary, you’re going to be pretty unpopular with everybody around here. They all hate the idea of the resort. It’s not just the sanctuary.”

Alex leaned forward, his palms on the short wall surrounding the patio. “It’s not just me. They’re going to hate you, too. You haven’t told Taylor, either.”

Raul plopped down on the chaise lounge, wiping away purple bougainvillea leaves. “No, I haven’t, and I feel like a jerk, too. I get it. But at least we’re just friends. We have nothing going on like you and Cassie.”

“What do you mean?”

Raul laughed. “Taylor and I are just friends. But it’s obvious you guys have feelings for each other. Taylor mentioned it, too.”

Alex knew he was right.

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