A knock on the flat’s door woke me. I groaned and rolled over to see the time: 6:30 a.m. I refused to get up.
The knocking came again. I heard Lyla groan and rush to the door. She stumbled back to my room. “It’s for you. Please make it stop.”
I grunted and reached for my bathrobe. As I plodded to the door, the knocking came again. “I’m coming!”
I threw the door open and stared.
Austin stood in front of me, smiling sheepishly. “I hope I’m not being presumptuous, but I just couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
My jaw dropped. It was exactly how I remembered. I should have read the next page of my scrapbook to be prepared. “Really?”
“Yeah. You’re just so beautiful. I really wanna get to know you better.”
I bit my lip and pulled my robe tighter around me. His gaze fell onto my lips as I released the bite. I smiled at his obvious attraction. “Do you wanna take me out?”
His gaze met mine. “That’s why I’m here.”
I stepped back to let him in. “Watch some TV or something while I get ready.”
He entered and sat. I hurried into Lyla’s room and jumped onto her bed. “Lyla!”
She groaned. “What?”
“I’m calling in sick today.”
“I don’t care.”
I shook her shoulder. “Lyla! Austin wants to take me out!”
“Tell me again in about two hours, when I actually have to be up and will care.”
But a slight smile curled her lips, as one of her eyes flickered open.
I squeezed her shoulder, then dashed across into my room. I knew exactly where he planned to take me, so I picked out comfortable jeans, a t-shirt, a light jacket, and slipped on my thongs. I rushed into the bathroom, washed my face, and rolled on deodorant. After some quick primping, I tied my hair back in a high ponytail, took a deep breath, and stepped out.
His gaze took me in slowly as I walked into the living room. He shot to his feet and rubbed the back of his neck as I approached. “Wow.”
I shrugged, averting my gaze. “It’s nothing special.”
He came around and took my hand. “It’s very special.”
I beamed as he wove his fingers into mine.
He drove us to a port in Fremantle, and led me through several rows of boats.
“My parents are letting me take this today,” he said. “This is very rare. My stepdad is crazy about his boat, so we’ve got to be very careful with it.”
“A boat?” I grinned excitedly.
He paused and we looked down at a motor boat. “Yeah. It’s his baby. I think it cost more than his car.”
He climbed in and set down the bag and cooler he’d brought from the car, then offered me his hand to help me in.
He gestured for me to sit as he started the engine and backed out. Once in clear water, he picked up speed and headed toward Rottnest Island. I stood beside him and he smiled. “Wanna steer?”
“Ah . . .” I shook my head. “I’ll probably crash.”
He laughed. “Into what? Come on, I’ll be right here.”
He took one hand off the steering wheel and pulled me in front of him. His arms wrapped around me and rested over mine on the wheel. Chills shot up my arms as every inch of me tingled with his warmth.
My Austin.
“See?” he said into my ear. “No worries.”
I smiled as he helped me steer. “So, you have a boat license?”
“Oh yeah. The day I could get it, I did. I’m studying marine science, so out here, this is my thing.”
“I can see that.”
His arm released from around me. “We’ll be coming up on the island soon, and I don’t want the water rats pulling me over.”
I stepped out from his arms and stood beside him again.
We made our way around the south of the island to a small, abandoned bay. He cut the engine, and then lowered the anchor. He sat beside me and pulled out a bottle of water for each of us. He nodded toward the beach. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“I love how secluded it feels.”
He grinned and leaned back. “Right here is where I saw my first whale. I was ten, and my stepdad brought Mum and me out here for some fishing and swimming. Then, out of nowhere, these humpback whales came right up to the boat. I swear I could have reached out and touched one. There were two of them, and a young one. It was probably one of the most amazing experiences of my life.”
I’d always loved that story. His mother would tell me it frightened her that the whales came so close, because they could tip the boat, but Austin had been spellbound. He wanted to jump right in the water with them, but his stepfather warned him against it.
“That’s amazing,” I said softly. “Have you been that close to any since?”
He shook his head. “Unfortunately not. I’ve seen them around, but never that close.” He shuffled closer and ran his fingers down my arm. “I’ve seen all kinds of interesting things around this island, sea turtles, shipwrecks, the coral . . .” His hand moved up and rested on the back of my neck. “This place inspired me to study marine science. It’s so beautiful. I’d do anything to keep it this way. I think I’ve snorkeled and dived every inch of the surrounding beaches and bays, and it still looks new and wonderful.
“I’ve been saving for a while to go to the Great Barrier Reef. I’d love to dive there and see all the different species of coral and fish.” He pulled his hand back. “But you probably didn’t need to know that.”
I caught his hand. “I think that’s a wonderful goal. Maybe if you teach me how to dive, we could do it together.”
His face lit up. “I think I could do that.” He leaned forward for a kiss and paused an inch away from me. “When would you like me to start?”
“Whenever you want,” I replied breathlessly. I touched his cheek and closed the gap between us.
Making out with him felt so right. He’d always been an amazing kisser, so he swept me off my feet again. I fell head over heels, madly, crazy in love with him.
When he pulled away, I grabbed onto his shirt so he would stay close to me. He smiled and clasped my face. “I think this might mean we’re a couple now.”
I nodded as I bit my lip and gazed into his eyes, completely lost in him.
“Wow,” he said breathlessly. “Your eyes are the same color as the ocean. They’re so beautiful.”
I dropped my gaze, grinning like a love-struck fool. He ran his fingers through my hair, then stood to turn the engine back on. He took us to an isolated beach and pulled up just outside the break.
“Let’s go for a swim.”
“But it’s not warm enough,” I said, shuddering at the thought. I’d forgotten that he wanted to swim. I really should have checked the scrapbook. “And I don’t have a swimsuit.”
His eyes twinkled, reminding me where this was going. “No one’s around. Just swim in your underwear.”
He whipped off his shirt and jeans, standing in front of me in his black boxers. It took all my effort to keep from staring at his junk.
He peeled my jacket back, then fingered at the button on my jeans. “Come on, Cadence.”
I bit my lip, nervous because so much time had passed since he’d seen my body. Since his was so amazing, I felt self-conscious of my own. But he held my gaze, a flirtatious smile spreading across his face. I impulsively pulled off my shirt as he removed my jeans.
He stood back up slowly, taking in my body with his eyes and hands. “Wow, you’re gorgeous.”
My cheeks burned, and I wrapped my arms around myself. “No, I have terrible legs, and my boobs are too big.”
“I think they’re perfect.” He rested his hands on my bare waist. Their warmth, in stark contrast to the autumn sea breeze, sent shivers all over me.
“Let’s swim.” He jumped right in.
I screeched as the cold water splashed me, and rushed to grab my clothes.
“Cadence!” He laughed as he broke the surface.
“You’re insane! It’s way too cold!”
“What, are Sydney girls a bunch of wimps? Can’t take a bit of cold?”
My blood boiled. Stupid competitive streak. I swung on him. “What did you say to me?”
“You’re a wimpy city girl!”
“Oh! Wimpy, huh?” I leaned over the edge of the boat. “Well, Mr. Jones, you’re going to regret you said that.”
He scoffed. “What are you going to do?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Yeah, I would.”
I growled and climbed up on the side of the boat, but the sight of the cold water made me hesitate.
“You don’t have the guts.”
I glared at him. “You’re going down.”
I jumped in. The cold water jarred my senses. I broke the surface and gasped for air.
He laughed at me. “Wow, you actually got in! I’m impressed.”
My teeth chattered. “Shut up.”
He swam toward me, but when he touched me, I splashed him in the face. “You don’t get to touch me.”
“Why not?” He chuckled as he moved in again.
I grabbed his arm, glaring at him as I shivered. “Because I said so.”
He smirked and scooped me up into his arms. We struggled as he held tightly to me, and I tried to push him off, but he dunked us both under the water. When we resurfaced, I gasped for air, clinging to his neck. “It’s . . . so . . . cold . . .”
His arms tightened around me. “We better warm you up then.”
He carried me to the beach and laid me on the sand. He sat beside me and looked me over as his hand wandered over my belly. “Cadence?”
“Yes?” His eyes had me mesmerized as they looked into mine.
“Are you enjoying yourself?”
I giggled. “Yes.”
My hand lifted and ran over his abdominals. They flexed under my touch. He let out a long breath, then leaned down over me. He brushed my wet hair back from my face. “I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you.”
My heart skipped a beat and I bit my lip. “Austin . . .”
But before I could say more, he leaned down and kissed me. I clasped onto his face, kissing him back with as much passion as I could muster. Being able to fall in love with him all over again felt like a miracle.
His hand on my face drifted down my neck, over my body, and found its way between my legs. He rubbed me over my underwear. James flashed into my mind, and the night of Harper’s wedding when he’d made such passionate love to me. My legs clamped shut, and I pushed Austin off. “No, no, it’s too soon.”
“Okay.” He touched my cheek and smiled. “I’m happy to go at your pace.”
“Thank you,” I said with a sigh.
He shifted over and helped me sit up. He pressed his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. “I want to see where this can go.”
I caressed his face and pulled back to look into his eyes. “So do I.”
His hand wrapped around the back of my neck and he kissed me again. We alternated between making out and whispered conversation on the beach for more than an hour.
He leaned back on his elbows and sighed. “We should get back. My dad needs his boat back.”
“I thought it was your stepdad’s boat,” I said, knowing what he meant, but wanting him to know he could tell me anything.
“Yeah, it is, but I usually call my stepdad ‘Dad.’ My real dad disappeared when I was five, and we haven’t heard from him since.” He looked up at me, sitting beside him, waiting for him to continue. “But you don’t need to know that. I’m sorry.”
“No.” I leaned over and stroked his chest up to his neck. He gazed into my eyes as I smiled reassuringly. “I want to know. You can tell me anything. Come on, I told you about my best friend hooking up with my seventeen-year-old brother, and my dad’s insane rants when boys even glance at me. What could be more embarrassing than that?”
He chuckled. “Okay, yeah, I think if I was around when you were fourteen, your dad would have freaked me out.”
“See?” I laughed. “So tell me anything you want.”
He rested his hand over mine on his neck. “Well, my dad just disappeared, which hasn’t ever really bothered me because I was so young, but my brother Malcolm was fifteen, and he’s never been able to cope with it well. When Mum married George two years later, he couldn’t accept it and ran away. He’s tried to find our father on and off over the years, but hasn’t been successful. I’m convinced he doesn’t want to be found.”
He paused and his gaze fell. “George is my dad now, and I think my brother resents me for it. But George did everything for me, and raised me like his own son, so he is my dad, you know?”
“I know what you mean. Just because he’s not your father by blood doesn’t mean he’s not your father in here.” I dropped my hand over his heart.
With his hand still over mine, he stared at them on his chest and a smile crept onto his face. “I can’t believe how easy it is to talk to you. It’s like I’ve known you forever.”
“I feel the same.”
He turned onto his side to face me. “I’m so glad you’re more than just a pretty face. I’ve dated some girls, and that’s all they were, but you . . .” He trailed off, stroking my cheek, then sighed. “We need to get back.”
“Okay.”
He took my hand and helped me to my feet. He held onto my hand as we swam back out to the boat, then climbed the ladder on the side for diving. He hurried to wrap a towel around me, then pulled up the anchor, slipped on his jeans, and started the engine. About halfway back, he told me to get dressed.
At the boatyard, a tall, ginger man waited for us. He had his arms folded and pointed at his watch as we pulled in. “Austin, I told you to be here half an hour ago.”
“I know. Sorry,” Austin said, tossing him a rope.
The man’s gaze fell on me. “Is this the elusive Cadence?”
Austin grinned and climbed off the boat. “It sure is.”
Austin gave me his hand and pulled me up beside him.
I knew exactly who the man was. George had always liked me, and supported Austin and I every step of the way, but I had to pretend that I’d never met him before as he offered me his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Cadence. I’m Austin’s dad, but you can call me George.”
“Hello,” I answered and shook his hand.
“I hope he didn’t get you into too much trouble out there,” he said teasingly. “Austin plays around at that island like it’s his personal backyard.”
Austin laughed. “I learned from the best.”
George grinned at him. “Touché. Well, go find your mother. She went to buy lunch a few minutes ago.”
“Oh, lunch.” Austin squeezed my hand. “Do you think she’ll buy us something?”
George pretended to consider his question. “I don’t know. Maybe if you did something for her, like introducing your new friend here, she might consider it.”
“Done.” Austin gave my hand a sharp tug as we hurried toward the town. There were several restaurants nearby, but he headed straight for a fish and chips place. His mother sat inside, looking at a newspaper while she waited for her order.
A small, plump woman, Austin resembled her a great deal, with the same dark hair and eyes. I’d always believed she felt grateful her younger son looked more like her than his father, because I’d always seen a hint of pain in her eyes when she looked at Malcolm, who resembled their father.
As we rushed in, her gaze lifted, and she smiled as Austin shuffled in beside her. “Mum, I’m hungry.”
“You have money, Austin, buy it yourself.” But then she saw me. She peeked around him and smiled. “Who is this?”
“I’ll only introduce you if you buy me food.”
She slapped his shoulder, but said, “Fine.”
Austin wrapped his arm around my waist. “This is Cadence. Cadence, my mum, Linda.”
Her whole face glowed as she squeezed my hand. “It’s nice to meet you. You’re just as pretty as he said.”
His arm tightened around my waist as my cheeks warmed. “I . . . well . . . ah . . . thank you.”
She chuckled. “All right. What do you want to eat?”
We had lunch with his parents, and I found them as delightful as I remembered. I wondered for the first time what they had felt and done when they heard Austin and Melody died. I’d never seen them in the hospital, but they wouldn’t have been too far. They almost certainly would have visited me while I was unconscious.
I shook off the memories and thoughts as Linda wrapped her arm through mine. “We must go. It’s been wonderful meeting you, Cadence. Don’t be a stranger.”
“Thank you for lunch,” I said.
“You’re welcome.” She grabbed Austin’s elbow and kissed his cheek. “We’ll see you later.”
We waved to them as we parted ways to head back to Austin’s car. Everything felt right as Austin rested his arm over my shoulders. He was alive, strong, and as vibrant as ever, and his family had accepted me as easily as they had the first time.
“Cadence!” Tara rushed at me. She smirked as she glanced at Austin. “I saw you guys leave together last night. Things are going pretty well, eh?”
“Ahh . . .” I stared at my feet. I didn’t remember her approaching us in the first timeline.
Austin squeezed my shoulder. “Yeah, I couldn’t stop thinking about her, so I picked her up this morning.”
Tara let out a tiny squeal as she danced on the spot. “Just so you know, Cadence is so much better than Lena.”
Austin rolled his eyes, smiling. “I haven’t see Lena since we graduated. But don’t worry, I know I’ve upgraded.”
Tara winked at me. “Lena’s his ex, but nothing to worry about.”
“I’m not worried.” I glanced up at Austin and found him smiling at me. Definitely not worried. He never made me feel like any of his exes would get in our way. Even now, starting fresh again, I felt safe with him.
“Oh my gosh!” She pinched our cheeks. “You’re so stinking cute together.”
Austin scrunched his nose, pushing her hand away.
“Austin.” His friend Aaron stepped out from the post office. “I thought you were busy today.” He glanced at me. “Oh, you are.”
Tara shoved him. “Let’s leave these two alone.”
Aaron held his ground, ignoring Tara. “It’s nice to meet you, Cadence. I’m Aaron, by the way.”
“Hi.” My memories of Aaron burst to the surface. An image of him raising a toast as best man at our wedding flashed through my mind, then him at our house for “guys’ night,” and him coming over drunk and needing consoling when his fiancée dumped him. I chewed on my tongue as I fought to control the shock of the onslaught. He had to have come to the hospital too, along with Tara and Lyla. Why had I never considered that?
“I’m not going on a date with you,” Tara said, as I came back to the present.
“You know Cadence, and since she’s dating my man here, I need to have a chance to get to know her too,” Aaron responded.
“Your man?” Tara rolled her eyes. “Your bromance is getting a touch creepy. Keep your hands off Austin. He’s Cadence’s now.”
“Our bromance is awesome.”
“We should go,” Austin said, coaxing me forward.
“Wait, wait, wait.” Tara caught my wrist. “Okay, we should go on a date, but not a double.” She shot a glare at Aaron. “A triple. I get my own date. He goes with Lyla.”
Aaron raised an eyebrow, grinning. “Who’s Lyla?”
Aaron and Lyla never really got along. I opened my mouth to stop the arrangement, but Tara beat me to the punch. “Our friend. She’s way hot. You probably don’t deserve to go on a date with her, but oh well.”
“That was harsh,” Austin said.
Aaron threw his hands in the air. “Why did I agree to hang out with you today?”
“Because your boyfriend ditched you.” Tara flicked her hair over her shoulder, then looked at me. “We’ll make the arrangements. You guys go have fun.”
Austin and I waved goodbye. He hurried me away. “Let’s get out of here before they really get stuck into each other.”
I giggled. Although Aaron and Tara were good friends, they were well-practiced at pushing each other’s buttons.
Back at the flat, Lyla had left for work, so Austin and I hung out and watched a movie together. We made out again, then decided to make dinner. When Lyla arrived home, she entered the kitchen with a grin. “Wow, how many hours has it been since you arrived here, and you’re still together?”
Austin looked at his watch. “Twelve.”
He touched my waist and kissed my cheek.
Lyla chuckled. “Well, Cadence, thank goodness you finally let him in, huh?”
I laughed. “I know.”
I looked up at him, and he smiled.
Lyla cleared her throat. “Let me know when you’re done.”
By the time Austin left, it was almost nine, and he gave me a long kiss goodbye.
I retreated to my room, pulled out my scrapbook, and opened it to find entries from Austin’s journal appearing. A photo showed him in his car with his eyes shut and a smile across his face. His entry simply said: I just had the best day of my life with the most amazing girl I’ve ever met.
My heart fluttered as I ran my fingers over his face on the picture. “I love you so much, Austin. I’m not going to let you die again.”
I closed the scrapbook and headed into the bathroom to shower off the saltwater and sweat from the day. When I returned to my room, my phone was ringing. I shut the door, hoping for Austin, and rushed to answer it without looking at the caller ID.
“Hello?”
“Hello, beautiful.”