The days were ticking down. As August dragged on, I knew the summer was ending, and I was about to get booted from the only job I’d ever really enjoyed. Carly seemed convinced she could come up with a way for us to buy the shop, but I wasn’t sure if her enthusiasm would be enough. I gave her the space and time she needed to develop her business plan, but I wasn’t giving her space of the personal kind. With the end of summer came the possibility of the end of our nights together, and I was going to enjoy every last one of them.

I didn’t even mind the grunt work around the shop as much as I used to. Part of me would even miss that. I was filling some tanks when Ralph walked into the back.

“Get ready. We have a last minute dive.”

“Get ready? Aren’t you going to do it?”

“Nope. She requested you specifically.”

“She?” I groaned. Having a female customer request me specifically probably wouldn’t be a good thing in Carly’s eyes.

“Yes. She’s doing a certification.”

“Do you mind doing it?” The last thing I needed was to get in trouble with Carly. I wasn’t wasting a second of our time together fighting.

“I really think you’re going to want to handle this one.”

“Fine.” I sighed. There was no reason to put it off. I walked back into the front of the shop and did a double take.

“Carly? What are you doing here?”

She grinned. “I’m here for my first dive or dives or whatever. I already did all of those video thingies Ralph said I had to do first. I passed all the tests.”

“You’re the client?”

“I heard you’re really good at what you do.”

I laughed. “So you’re really in? You’re letting me take you on a boat dive?”

“Can’t we do another shore dive?” She gave me her most charming smile.

“Nope. Boat dive.” I picked up her hand. “If you suffered through the videos you might as well get to do the real thing.”

“Okay, but we have to wait a few minutes.”

“Why?” I looked at Ralph. Was there something up with the boat I didn’t know about?

“Because Brody’s running late.”

“Brody’s coming?”

“Yes. He’s coming for moral support. He said he figured you’d make me go out on the boat.”

I took her face in my hands. “I’m not enough moral support?”

“You’re plenty, but it never hurts to have a little bit extra.”

I shook my head. “You’re crazy, but I love you. Let’s get you ready.”

---

We surfaced after the first dive, and Carly immediately pushed up her mask. “Wow, that was crazy.”

“Crazy good, crazy bad?” I helped her climb up the ladder back onto the boat.

“The good crazy mostly.”

“Mostly?” I took off my gear and went to help her, but Brody was already doing it.

“I’m a little bit tired.”

Brody looked at me. “You know what the answer to that is, get her nitrox trained.”

“Uh, no more training right now. But I am starving.”

“Oh, yeah. There’s stuff in the cooler.”

She opened the cooler and pulled out a wrapped sandwich. She made a face as she unwrapped it. “Peanut butter and jelly? I just dove and this is what I get?”

I laughed. “Sorry if our offerings don’t work for you.”

She took a small bite of the sandwich. “Do you have anything else?”

I shrugged. “Crackers.”

“And how long do we have to wait before the next dive?”

I unzipped my wet suit and pulled my arms out. “About forty minutes.”

“Oh.” She carefully wrapped up the sandwich. “Can I get something to drink?”

“Sure. We have bottled water and juice boxes.” I looked in the cooler. “There’s just grape left.”

Brody nudged her shoulder. “If he really loved you he’d have brought you some apple.”

“We’re out of them. Customers always choose that flavor.” I handed her a bottle of water. I assumed she’d prefer that. She accepted it and took a sip before setting the bottle down and unzipping her wet suit. I tried not to get too distracted by how good she looked in her tiny bikini top.

Brody rested his arms on the side of the boat. “They choose apple because no one over the age of eight likes grape juice.”

“The water’s fine. I’d prefer a fruit smoothie, but what can you do?” She took another sip of her water.

“A fruit smoothie? What were you expecting, gourmet food?”

She froze. “That’s it. Oh my gosh, Macon, you’re a genius!” She flung her arms around my neck.

“I know I am, but why are you suddenly realizing it?”

“Gourmet. That’s what’s missing. That’s what our company needs.”

“Uh, am I missing something?” I stared at her blankly.

She sat down and turned to Brody. “And you, you’re perfect.”

He gave her a funny smile. “Thanks… I think.”

“Guys, focus. Who’s your usual clientele?”

“Young to middle aged people looking to learn to dive or just to do a few dives on vacation,” I answered automatically. I knew the details of the business pretty well.

“Who’s it missing?”

“What are you getting at, babe?” I didn’t bother starting the boat. When Carly was hit by inspiration you couldn’t rush it.

“Diving’s fun. It’s recreation, yet educational, it’s fairly easy once you get the hang of it, and it’s the perfect activity for a beach vacation.”

“I’m glad you finally see it my way.” I took a swig of water.

“But it’s not glamorous. You feed people like fourth graders. I mean pre-made sandwiches and juice boxes?” She wrinkled up her nose.

“Don’t forget about the crackers.” I walked over to the cooler and held up a bag.

“That’s not any better, Macon.”

“If you want fancy you do luxury live-a-boards.”

“But why? Why not bring the luxury to the average diver? Provide gourmet food and after dive cocktails. I’m telling you, there’s an audience for that. A big one.”

“That’s actually a really good idea.” Brody turned to her. “And I’m guessing that’s why I’m perfect, huh? I’m going to be providing my culinary services?”

“Who better?” She put a hand on his leg, and I ignored the small jolt of jealousy that went through me. She was just excited.

“Ocean Quest Gourmet.” The name came to me out of nowhere.

“AHHH that’s perfect.” She hopped up and literally jumped into my arms. “It plays on the active ocean part, but also the gourmet. I love it!”

“I can tell.” I kissed her lightly.

“So let’s do it. Let’s make this happen.”

“And you really think Colin’s going to help?” I hated to even question her when she was this excited, but without more capital we couldn’t buy the shop. We’d briefly considered setting up a competing business, but buying the existing one just made sense considering the market.

“Yes. We can do this.”

“Yes we can, but first you need to do another dive.”

“Now? But I have plans to make.”

“Make them after you look at the fish.”

“Fine.” She gave me a fake pout. “But we’re getting something decent to eat after this.”

“Deal.” I turned on the engine and headed toward another perfect dive spot.