“Finding a way into tricky situations has never been a problem for me - although I still haven’t learned the art of getting out of them,” Colin gibed over his shoulder as he finished jimmying the lock open with the credit card - probably his father’s. The gate swung open and Colin swept his arm forward, making quite the show of displaying the path towards the private dock behind it.

Clara felt a hesitation in the tips of her toes, knowing deep down that stepping over that threshold would likely lead to nothing positive for her life in the long run. Colin ran his hands through his hair, flowy chestnut locks that would hang in his ocean blue eyes in just the right way. Clara was not used to getting attention from guys who had the kind of looks that made people stop and take notice, but she did not want to give him a reason to let those eyes look elsewhere. She left the hesitation behind and stepped through the gate.

Colin secured the gate behind them and as it shut, Clara heard the distinctive click of the lock reengaging. Her alarm must have registered on her face because Colin whispered as if in explanation, “If we don’t lock it back up, someone will notice and call security.”

“Will we be able to get back out, though? You can’t reach the lock from this side in order to pick it again.”

“That’s a later problem,” Colin answered with a wink, “We will figure something out.”

“Didn’t you just say you are still learning the art of getting out of these tricky situations?” Clara countered hesitantly, but Colin was already making his way down the path towards the water. She half hoped he hadn’t heard her question, not wanting to do anything to jeopardize the situation she found herself in as if she were a falconer with the wild bird she had always dreamed of interacting with finally on her arm and one wrong word - one wrong breath - would not only scare him away but leave her hurting. She just didn’t yet know how accurate that fear of pain would turn out to be.

She had caught up to him as they reached the end of the dock next to what was not quite a yacht but certainly was far too spectacular to simply be described as a boat. “Serenity” was emblazoned across the side just above the waterline in elegant gold lettering and Clara wondered who had picked the name and what serene days they had been envisioning when they selected it. She was absolutely certain having the boat stolen by two teenagers looking for a joy ride in more way than one had been a part of those dreams and plans.

Colin was already aboard the vessel and once again holding out his hand, this time waiting for her to take it in her own. He pulled her aboard, but didn’t let go. The tingling feeling in her toes came back, but this time it was not filled with hesitation but anticipation.