The One That Got Away by Megan Hussey

The One That Got Away
    Megan Hussey
     
     
    Port Emerald, Fla., 1992   
     
    “I gotta tell ya, Cecily. That bathing suit just isn’t you.”
    “I gotta tell ya, Dallas. Basic human interactions and intelligent, sensitive comments just aren’t you.”
    Seated on a lonely fishing pier at a remote beach area in Port Emerald, Fla., Cecily Jacobs decided that Port Emerald Pier was not quite lonely or remote enough; seeing that she couldn’t seem to lose the obnoxious boyfriend who shared her stretch of the pier.
    “You promised to lose twenty pounds before our vacation.” Dallas Hillford thrust forth his prized fishing rod, aiming his reel for a large green fin that protruded upward in the water.
    “You seem to take such great pride in that big, long reel.” A smirking Cecily snuck a long, hooded glance at his unobtrusive groin. “Could you, by chance, be overcompensating for something rather small?”
    Her smirk dissolved to a concerned frown seconds later, as Dallas’ hook snagged its target: the smooth, gem-hued fin that seemed too large to belong to a typical fish of the sea.
    “What is that thing?” She pointed toward the fin, jumping to her feet as a low, keening wail arose from the waters below her. “Whatever it is, you’re hurting it!”
    “Well dear, that is kinda the point of fishing. You do have to kill the thing before you eat it.” Dallas rolled his eyes. “And it looks like I’ve got the catch of the day.”
    Ignoring her boyfriend’s sarcasm, Cecily jumped headfirst from the pier, her body hitting the waters below with a loud, resounding splash. Wincing as the creature’s wailing and crying became more keen and insistent, she ripped the hook from its fin and tossed it into the water.
    “I cannot believe that you just did that.” Shaking his head, an apathetic Dallas stood to his feet and reeled in his line. “Thanks to you, the catch of the day just became the one that got away.”
    Oblivious to his ire, Cecily ran her fingers across the surface of the still protruding fin, ensuring that no tears or puncture wounds tore its perfect surface. Satisfied that no permanent damage was done, she let go of the fin and watched with a smile as it disappeared beneath the waves.
    Sighing her relief, Cecily closed her eyes and relished the newfound quiet that permeated her airspace. The crying and wailing of the entrapped creature subsided into silence, to be replaced by quiet birdsong and the delicate ring of distant wind chimes. She felt beautiful, sedate, and at peace with her surroundings.
    Heaven knows that didn’t last long.
    “I swear, Cecily, sometimes I wonder if you’re just bat shit crazy.”
    Her eyes flew open to reveal the retreating form of her disenchanted boyfriend, who gathered up his fishing equipment and headed away from the pier.
    “Whenever you decide to come to your senses, I’ll be back at the hotel,” he sniffed over his shoulder.
    “Au revoir!” Cecily waved with a smile.
    Turning with a flourish away from the pier, she came face to face with the most beautiful man she ever had seen.
    His hair shone a rich shade of cinnamon brown, and fell in long, lustrous waves down his planed back, framing a face that boasted wide olive eyes and sculpted cheekbones.
    “Damn, you’re hot.” Cecily’s gaze took a leisurely walk down the length of his massive chest, covered as it was with bronze skin and not a bit of intrusive body hair. “Where in the heck did you come from?”
    His answering laugh, deep and melodic, sent chills up her spine.
    “Don’t you remember, my Lady?” He drew closer to her in the water. “We just met.”
    Cecily shook her head, confused.
    “That’s impossible. My boyfriend and I have been out here alone all morning.” She charmed him with a winsome grin. “Besides, if we had met before, I’m sure I’d remember you.”
    “So let me remind you.”
    The stranger disappeared beneath the waves; seconds later a fin appeared above the water’s