Eight Months Later

The sound of the ocean waves and wind in the sails lulled Daisy into a light doze. The padded lounge chair made her incredibly comfortable, stretched out with her back absorbing the sun. Before that day, Daisy had never been on a boat bigger than a canoe, let alone something as large as a yacht. Nyle purchased it when he was younger, apparently trying to impress some girls he had been sleeping with at the time. It didn’t bother Daisy at all, knowing Nyle wasn’t that guy anymore. It was a wonderful feeling to never have a doubt in her mind that Nyle was faithful.

The trip wasn’t about them, though. Daisy turned her head and glanced over to her mom, Cassie, who was stretched out in the chair next to her. She looked so youthful in her sun hat, glasses, and designer one-piece paired with gold bangle bracelets and a matching gold and opal necklace. Nyle surprised Cassie with the trip to celebrate her forty-second birthday.

Cassie’s thin pink lips curved into a smile as she looked back at her daughter and grabbed her hand. “This is so wonderful. Thank you both, though this is all really too much,” she gushed to Daisy.

Daisy squeezed her mom’s hand lovingly, “Don’t thank me, this is all Nyle’s doing. You deserve a break.”

Cassie was infamous for working too many jobs at once. Being a nurse, she had a full-time job at one hospital, moonlighted at another, and was permanently on-call at a rehab center. Typically, she had a maximum of one day off each week. Daisy wanted to give her a break so badly, knowing she was going to work herself into an early grave if she kept it up. Nyle had taken matters into his own hands, contacting the head of all the departments to make sure she had a full week off for her birthday.

“Speak of the devil,” Cassie said, turning her head to look at Nyle as he appeared on deck.

Nyle wore a big smile as he approached with a small tray of iced teas dripping with perspiration. Wearing only a pair of board-shorts, his immaculate muscles and geometric dragon markings were on display. Cassie didn’t know that Nyle was a dragon, so Daisy explained the markings as tattoos, and Cassie never questioned them.

“Enjoying yourselves?” Nyle asked, placing the drinks on the table between the chairs. He then walked over to Daisy, scooping her up and lying down in the chair with her between his legs and her back against his chest. Daisy laughed, reaching back and running a hand through his white locks as she relaxed into his body.

“Very much so. You really know how to win brownie-points,” Cassie joked, grabbing a glass of tea from the tray.

Nyle’s chin rested on the top of Daisy’s head, “I just want you to have a good time for your birthday,” he responded.

“Well, mission accomplished,” Cassie replied.

Nyle grinned, “Then do you mind if I steal Daisy for a little while?”

“Not at all,” Cassie said, fishing a paperback book out of her bag.

In one motion, Nyle was on his feet with Daisy in his arms bridal-style. Then, he bounded across the deck of the yacht at full speed—toward the railing of the boat.

Daisy held to him tightly and squealed in bewilderment, “What are you doing?!”

He didn’t say a word, a wild grin on his face as he leaped onto the railing and dove straight into the water. Daisy screamed as they fell through the air before finally crashing into the ocean. She was quickly surrounded by the warm, salty liquid. As she bobbed to the surface, she could feel tiny fish pecking at her feet and ankles. When her head greeted air once again, Daisy sucked in a deep breath and flipped her hair back. The saltwater clung to her mocha hair, bringing out its natural wave.

When Nyle surfaced, Daisy immediately splashed him with water. “You aren’t funny!” she scolded him, even though she was laughing all the while.

Nyle chuckled, wiping his face. “I think I am.”

She stuck her tongue out at him.

“I’m not a strong swimmer,” Daisy admitted, trying her best not to think about just how deep the water was. Even as an adult, she stayed on the shallow side of the pool. She hated being so helpless in the deep without the ability to take a break.

Nyle waded over to her, wrapping one arm around her. “Good thing I’m here,” he purred to her.

“If you weren’t, I wouldn’t be in the water,” Daisy challenged as she linked her arms around his neck.

“Touché,” Nyle chuckled. He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.

When he pulled back, Daisy opened her eyes and noticed the way the sun caught his eyes. The golden hues were pools of liquid metal, looking more brilliant than the sun to Daisy.

“You’re lucky you’re so handsome,” she teased him.

“I don’t think I needed my looks to snag you,” he chuckled.

“Touché,” Daisy smiled.

She loved how comfortable she was around him. Their first days together felt like a lifetime ago. Daisy was so nervous around him, intimidated by his good looks, power, and the indescribable feeling that came with just being in his presence—which she later found out was because they were soulmates. Daisy had clung to her shy and nervous ways for a while, but Nyle helped her get out of that mindset. He wanted to be with her unconditionally and had nothing but love for her. Over the course of the months they spent together, Nyle truthfully had become her other half. Every day was better than the day before.

Nyle unlaced her arms from around his neck and held her hand. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two pair of goggles.

“Put these on and hold your breath,” he instructed her, handing her one pair of he goggles.

Daisy managed to take one last deep breath before Nyle pulled her under the water. The sun illuminated the water, turning the ocean into a world of cerulean blue. As Nyle guided her along, Daisy looked around at all the sea life. Small schools of fish swam with the currents, larger fish darted in all directions. She had never seen anything like it. It was entirely different from visiting an aquarium. She could have stayed in the water forever, taking in the sights of the endless ocean if not for lack of oxygen.

After hours of swimming and lounging, the sun was setting over the horizon. Daisy, Cassie, and Nyle gathered on the main deck for dinner. Nyle had hired a full staff to man the yacht, including a chef to cook gourmet meals. Daisy sat down next to Nyle, her mother sitting across from her. Her hair was still wet from swimming, soaking the back of her sundress. Her eyes couldn’t stop looking back to the gorgeous sunset. The shades of pink, orange, and purple reflected onto the water, making the sky appear ever expanding.

Soon, two servers emerged from the galley and wheeled a chrome cart to the table. When the cover to the platter was removed, the aroma of a garlic and basil pasta dish wafted their way. Daisy’s hunger gnawed at her stomach, completely famished from swimming so avidly. They were served their plates and glasses of Chardonnay.

“My my, this looks divine,” her mother gasped, looking over her dinner plate in awe.

Nyle raised his wine glass to make a toast. “To Cassie, may you enjoy this birthday and many more to come.”

They all clinked their glasses together before digging into their dinners. Nyle’s hand rested on Daisy’s knee under the table as they ate. Daisy savored every bite of meal, taking in the robust flavor. The conversations were lighthearted while they ate.

Cassie spoke again, “Thank you both again for today. It’s certainly been the best birthday I’ve ever had.”

“It’s not over yet,” Nyle stated simply, taking a sip of his wine and relaxing back in his chair. Cassie gave him a questioning look, to which he smirked, “What’s a birthday without cake and presents?”

Her mouth gaped. “This is plenty, really. I don’t need cake or presents.”

“Nonsense. You raised the love of my life into the beautiful, brilliant, and compassionate woman she is today. I think that alone is deserving of a simple cake,” Nyle grinned.

Cassie blinked rapidly and put a hand on her chest. She glanced to Daisy. “He’s a smooth talker, isn’t he?”

“The smoothest,” Daisy giggled, laying her head on Nyle’s shoulder.

“I can’t argue with his logic, though.” Cassie winked at her daughter. “So where is this cake?” she asked, glancing back at the door to the galley, as though the staff would suddenly emerge with it.

“It’s back at the house,” Nyle explained, glancing over his shoulder to the nearing coastline. “We should be docking shortly, then we’ll head right over.”

As if on a cue, members of the wait staff emerged to clear the dishes away from the table. Nyle excused himself to go talk with the crew. Daisy and Cassie stood up from their chairs, walking over to the bow of the yacht.

Cassie bumped her daughter with her hip. “I’ve really missed you since you left town.”

Daisy let out a quiet sigh. “I know, and I’ve missed you too.”

“It does make me feel better that you’re being cared for, even though you’re so far away from me.”

A grin dominated Daisy’s face then she peered down into the water. “You’ll never have to worry about him mistreating me. I think he would rather die than hurt me in anyway.”

“You love him, don’t you?” Cassie asked, resting a hand over Daisy’s.

“Very much,” she nodded, glancing at her mom with a sheepish look.

“I’m so happy for you, kiddo,” Cassie beamed. “You know how I feel about men, but by God did you hit the lottery with him.”

Daisy knew all too well of her mother’s distrust of men. Daisy’s father was just the first in a line of many to let Cassie down in some way. She had watched men walk in and out of her mother’s life, paying no attention to the damage they had done. Around the time Daisy turned sixteen, Cassie had sworn off men and became content in her life being alone. Any time Daisy tried to encourage her mother to find someone, Cassie said all she needed in life was her daughter.

Her mother’s fingers combed through Daisy’s wavy hair, brushing it behind her ear. “Always remember, he’s just as lucky to have you.”

A warm, strong arm locked around Daisy’s waist. “As if I’d ever let her forget that,” Nyle said.

Daisy turned to him, resting her hand against his chest. They shared a gentle, passionate kiss. They noticed a flash followed by a shutter noise beside them, Daisy peeled back to glare at her mother.

“What? You two look so good together. I needed a picture,” Cassie chuckled.

Daisy rolled her eyes and shook her head. Some things would never change, especially her mother’s picture hoarding.

After the yacht pulled into the port, they departed and made their way to Nyle’s white Escalade. They climbed in and headed directly to the large house nestled on a quaint piece of land on the water. They were staying in a secluded part of the Florida Keys, somewhere Cassie had always wanted to go but never had managed to save enough money. Daisy was so thankful that Nyle gave Cassie the vacation of her dreams.

Daisy cranked the air conditioner to combat the humid heat.

Cassie didn’t waste the opportunity to tease her daughter. “You can take the girl out of the city, but you can’t take the city out of the girl.”

Daisy mockingly huffed in response. “I bet the locals can’t stand the humidity either.”