Divided Hearts by Susan R. Hughes

asked.
    His shoulders lifted. “I wouldn’t have thought so.” He caught her gaze then, holding it. “But lately, the impulse to submit has been so strong, and I find myself trying to resist it. I’m having great difficulty doing so.”
    The drumming of Faye’s heart persisted, resounding in her ears as she absorbed his words, struggling to decipher their meaning. His eyes locked on hers, their warm depths sending her a silent message, seeking a response she didn’t know how to give.
    Startled by a splash behind them, Faye turned quickly, catching sight of a dark shape moving under the water, mere yards from the boat’s stern. As she watched, the water’s surface swelled and a dorsal fin emerged, followed by a jet of water spattering high into the air.
    Faye spun around on the bench. “Look!” she shouted, as the creature continued to rise, its sleek black back arcing out of the water before angling onto its side, exposing a smooth white belly. With a tremendous splash it sank into the water, its forked tail the last to disappear.
    “Killer whales!” Faye cried out happily, as another dark head bobbed out of the depths. “I’ve only ever seen them at the aquarium.”
    Beside her, Simon grinned. “Fantastic.”
    “Have you seen them before out here?”
    “A few times. Once I came across a large pod of orcas, dozens of them all around the boat.”
    “They must have been what I saw from the house.” Faye couldn’t tear her gaze from the whales; they were so beautiful, brilliantly vibrant in front of her eyes. They skimmed under the water again, and one by one leapt up into a high arc and splashed down, water spraying from their tails in sparkling droplets. Faye laughed giddily, a sudden, intoxicating joy permeating her heart.
    “I wish Jenna could see this,” she heard herself exclaim, guilt sweeping through her as the thought crept into her mind. Why was she thinking of that now? She supposed the sudden elation pulsing through her chest—the pure bliss of being alive and present in this moment—reminded her that Jenna, still and silent in her hospital bed, wasn’t able to enjoy even the simplest pleasures. It felt profoundly unfair.
    Simon replied with a slight lift of his shoulders. “I brought her out here once. She got seasick.”
    “Poor thing.” Faye couldn’t help but picture her friend with her head bowed over the side, her long dark hair streaming outward like a flag captured by the wind. She imagined Simon comforting Jenna, his arms cradling her against his broad chest … and found she preferred not to imagine Jenna and Simon together, on this boat or anywhere else. It only fuelled Faye’s unease—the unnerving contradiction of happiness for herself and sorrow for her friend.
    “Did you love her?” Faye asked Simon, at once needing to know.
    He answered without looking up. “I thought I did, for a short time. But I think it was convenience that brought us together, not much more than that. It didn’t take long to figure out we weren’t well suited to one another.” He met Faye’s gaze, his words measured. “But I do care about her. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her, regardless of what she’s done to me.”
    Faye nodded. “I know.”
    They watched the whales in silence until the great animals moved off, disappearing into the distance.
    “When Hannah’s a little older, we’ll have to bring her out here,” Faye said, adding awkwardly, “I mean, you will.”
    “Definitely. It’s meant the world to me having her here.” Simon’s soft mouth broadened into a warm smile. “Despite the few bumps in the road, it’s all beginning to feel more natural to me now. I can’t think only of myself anymore. I used to stay out here for hours, but now I find myself wondering, when will Hannah be up from her nap? What time do I need to be back? Funny thing is, I don’t mind.”
    “It’s important for Hannah, too, to have you in her life.” Faye knew this was true, and felt