Beneath by Maureen A. Miller

Author:Maureen A. Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, young adult, sea adenture, sea disasters, ocean world
Publisher: Maureen A. Miller

CHAPTER 11

“Hi,” Colin said.

Stella looked up and swallowed.

Colin seemed riled, his full lips tensed into a thin line.

“Hi,” she muttered.

“You were up there a long time.” He observed, glancing up the path before sliding his eyes back down to hers.

“You were busy,” she countered, searching the empty basketball court behind him.

A pleased glint sharpened his gaze.

“Jealous?” he probed with a soft grin.

“Uh–no.”

The grin faded. “Maybe I am,” he added softly.

Butterflies swatted around inside her stomach. Was he teasing her?

“Jealous of a man that is probably older than my grandfather?”

“He doesn’t look it. And I’ve seen him. He doesn’t look at you like a granddaughter. He watches you.”

Stella was still trying to process Colin’s innuendo that he was jealous. He couldn’t be? Could he?

“Frederic knows I’m interested in learning more. He let me see his maps.”

Colin snorted. “I bet he did.”

“Seriously?” She slammed her hands on her hips. “Just a few minutes ago you were watching Loren. So much so that I couldn’t even catch your eye before I went up there.”

A flare in his eyes suggested she’d hit her mark. She decided to dig in.

“And speaking of jealous. Don’t you have a girlfriend back in college who you’re cheating on with Loren?”

Colin sighed, but instead of looking angry he appeared more amused. That swagger on him was damn fine.

“First,” he began, “I have no girlfriend. I had one sort of. She said I was too busy. I’ve got two degrees I’m working towards. I have zero social life right now. I can’t afford the distraction. Second,” he reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. “How am I cheating? I was just talking to Loren. She seems nice.”

“I’m sure she’s charming.”

“Stel.” He grinned. “I was looking for you. I was looking for you when I ran into her. I–”

Suddenly Mr. Composure seemed unsettled. He reached out to touch her arm, but his hand dropped back down.

“Ah, forget it. I–”

“You what?” she prodded, calmer now.

“So what did the maps reveal?”

The obvious segue amused her. She actually smiled, which Colin slowly reflected. The tension dissolved.

“It’s what they didn’t reveal.” She began to explain about Frederic folding over the map to hide the section behind the waterfall.

“Well, you know what that means?” Colin hinted.

Stella tried to quell her nerves. “That means we’re going behind the waterfall?”

“You don’t have to go. I’d rather you stay safe back here.”

“And who is going to keep you safe?” she countered. “Of course I’m going with you.”

Colin looked conflicted. “All right, but if we see any sort of creatures, I’m hiking you right back out of there.”

“If we see one of those things you’ll be chasing my heels. No need to hike me out.”

He grinned. “We’ll have to wait. Until after the evening bell. After everyone is asleep. Will Jill hear you? She doesn’t know what happened to you, right?”

Why hadn’t she shared what happened behind the waterfall with her best friend? It was a rather simple answer. Jill saw the best in situations. Stella didn’t want to crush that optimism.

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