“That’s my girl,” he murmured, the words carrying on the wind.
Warmth found me for the first time since I dove into the water, and I burrowed into Finn, into the comfort he provided. I was almost shocked by the fact that I meant what I said.
I really didn’t care what my father thought anymore — or anyone else.
Maybe all it took for me to drop the weight of their expectations was to realize this wasmylife, to live the wayIwanted to.
I didn’t have the power to make everyone in the world understand me, but I did have the power to give myself the approval I’d been wishing for.
I pulled in a deep breath, the sea air sharp and clean in my lungs, and let it anchor me.
Let them edit me into a villain. Let the crew whisper behind my back. Let my father never see the value in what I’ve built.
I know what I’m worth.
“Finn.”
“Mm?”
I lifted my chin, eyes finding his in the dark. “Take me somewhere?”
Our shift wasn’t over. We had so much we still needed to do — clean the galley, prep food for tomorrow, clean up dinner service, make sure the guests were okay.
But for the moment, the rest of the crew had it handled. I didn’t know how long they’d give us this pass so I could regain composure, but I knew I didn’t want to waste what time we had just sitting here.
I needed him.
Finn swallowed, the motion thick in his throat before he helped me stand. I thought I saw a hint of a smile. “Trying to get us in trouble, Firefly?”
“Won’t be any trouble if we’re not caught.”
That had his eyes lighting, his fingers dragging the length of my arm until he took my hand in his.
“I know a place.”
CHARTER CONFESSIONAL
CLOSE QUARTERS
SEASON 4, EPISODE 13
CHARTER 8
GISELLA DÍAZ: DECKHAND/STEWARDESS
PRODUCER
Are you okay after all the craziness last night?
GISELLA
It wasn’t that crazy. Deck team had a pretty great day, I think. It was the interior going off the rails.
PRODUCER
You aren’t shaken up by the fight between the guests or Maria going overboard?
GISELLA