Destiny Undone: The Complete Series Box Set by Amanda Heartley

thirty minutes, we practiced signals on the water, played with Singh to keep him interested in training and then began to work on the dive. The first dive was rough and Pepper came up sputtering and gasping for air. I didn’t run to her side. I knew she’d be okay, but I was there if she needed me. She was a trooper and stood for a minute in the shallow end to catch her breath before she smacked the water twice again. She gave Singh a piece of fish, rode around the pool once then gave him the signal to dive. They went down, I watched them glide around and then up they came, wobbly, but no sputtering this time. She let out a whoop and I called her out of the pool.
    “Aw, Gabe! I was just getting it.”
    “Yeah, you were. Good job by the way, but Singh’s had enough for one day. Why don’t you hit the showers and we’ll go have some lunch? Pepper grabbed her towel and said, “Okay, I’ll be ready in thirty.” She strolled past me with a proud smile and I watched her leave until she was out of sight. Bobbie Jo suddenly appeared and I guessed she’d been watching us, like I’d watched her earlier.
    “Lunch? You think that’s a good idea?”
    “Yes, lunch. It’s just lunch. I promised her old man I’d keep her under my wing. It’s not a big deal unless you make it one.” She raised her hands as if to say, “It’s none of my business.”
    I left the training area and went to take a shower myself. Thirty minutes later, Pepper and I were driving down International Drive, headed to my favorite wrap shop. “You like seafood?” I asked her playfully.
    “Yes, I did before I took this job. I smell like fish every day now, so that’s kind of a bummer.”
    “I was only kidding. We’re going to Swan’s Wraps. Have you ever eaten here before?”
    “Um, no, I haven’t. Are you sure it’s okay?” she said as she nervously chewed on her fingernail. I wasn’t sure what she was talking about for a few seconds, then it dawned on me. Pepper’s high jinks had made her a public figure, so it wasn’t as simple as going out to grab a wrap. She had to think about where she went and constantly worry about crazy fans and paparazzi.
    “We’ll do the drive thru and then grab a spot on the patio over there. Should be okay.”
    “Sorry about that. I think eventually people will forget about me and move on to someone else.” She slid her sunglasses down over her face and pulled the hoodie up on her jacket.
    “Don’t worry about hiding. You’re with me. It’s not like they’ll drag you out of the car,” I laughed, and added, “And yes, they will forget you eventually. If you can stay out of the headlines.”
    “I plan on it. And thanks for lunch by the way.”
    “You’re welcome. It’s my thank you for bringing me breakfast.” We placed our orders and Pepper leaned discreetly back in her seat. I felt sorry for her. Rich, amazingly beautiful and extremely lonely.
    We got our food and walked to one of the patio tables at the back. Hopefully, no one would spot us, but if they did, we could easily hop back into the car. I hadn’t even considered this when I asked her to lunch and honestly, I’d hate to be the next headline.
    We ate our food quietly at first. I figured we were both nervous about what to say. I assumed she thought I was a big nerd or something. I didn’t know—it had been a long time since I felt awkward around a girl and I had to think of something to say—I couldn’t just stare at her.
    “So, how old are you? I know I’ve read it, but I can’t remember.”
    “I’m twenty-three. How about you? No wait, let me guess.” She pretended to stroke an imaginary beard then said, “I’ll say…twenty-seven?”
    “Close, I’m twenty-six. I just had a birthday a couple of months ago.”
    ‘Well, happy late birthday. And that reminds me…my sister, Mills, is having her eighteenth birthday party this weekend, Friday night. I’d love it if you could come. You’d like Mills—she’s actually