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“Welcome aboard” A deckhand smiles and waves us forward Chase helpsto a platform at the stern “I’m Matt, that’s Billy” He motions to the other deckhand “Captain’s na his head toward the bow

Matt leads us up a ladder to the top level “Stay seated until she coht out to the reefs, about a half hour trip,” Matt says to us We both take a seat on a bench facing forward Chase puts his ar me close

Matt and Billy scurry around the side of the boat, untying the lines attached to the cleats on the dock They both push off siines, the dock growing smaller every second

Chase holds e smile on his face as his hair whips around his face frolasses, but I know they are sparkling frorin plastered across his face He leans in and kisses the top of reat?” he asks, his voice full of mirth

“It’s beautiful” I smile back

Twenty minutes later, the captain stops the boat in the middle of nowhere and Chase and I make our way down the stairs to theequipment from the stocked cabin Billy hands me a vest and a pair of flippers while Matt does the same for Chase

Taking off his shirt and sunglasses, Chase places them on the bench Matt motions for me to turn around so he can put on my vest, but Chase snatches it froh the opening as he gently brings the other side around forme toward hi into those big, beautiful blue eyes

“If you get tired, there is a valve in the front,” Chase whispers, pointing to a brass nozzle “Blow in this and it puts air in the vest Just in case I don’t want anything happening to you” He places a tender kiss on my lips and turns to put on a vest as well

We are directed to the back of the boat and I take a seat on one bench while Chase sits across from me I watch him put on his flippers and follow his lead

Matt picks up a mask from a crate in the center of the boat “Make sure the snorkel is on the left side of yourto his left “It’s more co to hter froatat me Hoould I knohich side to put it on? I scowl at hi hs and looks down at his feet Bastard

Matt hands me a mask “I need you to try this on first, see if it fits Hold your breath, gently place the htly” He de it on “Now, let go of theto hold it in place”

I do as instructed, but the mask falls to the deck with a thud He hands me another one “The better the mask seals to your face, the less likely you’ll have any leaks whenyour head in the water,” he states, matter-of-fact

The secondme of a suction cup attached to a , and stays put I look over at Chase to see Billy handing hi on five, he seems to find one he likes

I take the uin feels like Taking one careful step at a tiboat

The water level platforet in and out of the water The benches are on either side of the boat, which allows you to walk down the center “Watch,” Chase says as he starts down the ladder Placing his back to the boat, he takes a seat on the edge, and I follow his lead, carefully placingthe platforle in the water Chase turns towardfor me to follow suit