𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑋𝑜𝑛𝑒

𝑋𝐿𝑉𝐼

"Janet—" I started, then stopped. I paused, unsure of how to respond. I wanted to tell her I wasn't mad, but the truth was, I was confused, hurt by the past and unsure of the future. I wanted to trust her, but it was hard when I wasn't even sure of myself. "I'm confused," I said simply, shrugging. I didn't know what else to say.

She stood up then, her posture resolute. "Come on," she said softly, reaching out her hand to me. "Let me show you something."

I looked at her for a moment, unsure if I was ready to move forward. But seeing the sincerity in her eyes, I couldn't resist. I stood up, following her as she made her way out of the restaurant.

Whatever she wanted to show me, I was ready. Ready to let go of the confusion, to see if I could find clarity in whatever she had planned next. I didn't need to know what was next; with her by my side, I was ready for anything. She took me to a dock, the sun hanging low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the water. We walked down the weathered wooden pier, the sound of our footsteps blending with the gentle waves lapping against the posts. People were going about their business, some carrying fishing gear, others bringing their small boats back to shore.

"Janet, what are we doing here?" I whispered, still holding her hand, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

She smiled, her eyes glimmering with a playful spark. "Trust me, this is where you'll learn to trust me."

I frowned slightly, not fully understanding what she meant, but I followed her, intrigued. We stopped in front of a small wooden boat tied to the dock, and my stomach instantly twisted. The boat was tiny, just enough for two people to fit comfortably, and I could feel a wave of unease wash over me.

Janet stepped into the boat with ease, her movements graceful as she took a seat, looking back at me with that inviting smile. She was wearing comfortable pants, while I had on a skirt, and the thought of getting into the boat in this outfit made me nervous.

She reached her hand out to me, offering a reassuring smile. "You have to trust me, baby."

I swallowed hard, shaking my head. I had no idea why this felt so intimidating. The thought of being out on the water in this tiny boat made my nerves spike.

Before I could protest further, out of nowhere, Joey appeared. Without a word, he grabbed me by the waist and effortlessly lifted me into the boat, setting me down like I weighed nothing. I gasped in complete shock, looking up at Janet as she burst into laughter, holding her stomach.

"Oh, I'm glad you find this amusing," I said, rolling my eyes, though I couldn't hide the small smile tugging at my lips.

Joey stood on the dock, still chuckling. "Are you coming?" I asked, a little annoyed at his sudden involvement.

He flashed me a grin, shaking his head. "No," he said, his tone still amused.

With a soft laugh, Janet took control, starting the engine. The boat began moving, and I felt a rush of adrenaline and excitement as we drifted deeper into the sea. The waves rocked the boat gently, and I instinctively reached out to Janet, holding on to her for support.

She looked over at me, her gaze filled with amusement and affection. "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?" she asked.

I shook my head, the adrenaline still pumping through me. "I guess you were right," I said, looking out at the vast expanse of the water ahead, feeling the weight of my initial fear melting away. "You always know how to make things... interesting."

Janet just smiled, her eyes sparkling in the fading light. "You're gonna be just fine, baby."

Janet stopped the boat, and the hum of the engine faded into the gentle sway of the water. The silence between us hung for a moment, with only the soft splash of waves against the hull filling the air. The boat rocked gently, but I stayed where I was, still seated across from her, arms crossed tightly over my chest. I could feel the breeze picking up, the salty scent of the ocean in the air mixing with the faint smell of fish from nearby boats.