CHAPTER 49: A WONDERFUL DAY WITH FRIENDS

The last of the plates were being cleared away when Matt leaned back with a contented sigh, rubbing his stomach like a man who had just experienced something rare.

"The food was amazing. I enjoyed it very much," he said, his grin relaxed and genuine.

"The chef really did a wonderful job," Kristopher added, nodding toward the doorway where the galley crew had disappeared.

"Yeah, but Liam’s cooking still takes the top spot for me," Kristie said with a smirk, tipping her head in his direction.

"That was never a debate," Elise chimed in, her lips curving upward in agreement.

Liam chuckled at that, a warm, easy sound. "I’m glad everyone enjoyed the food," he said. And he meant it. Cooking wasn’t just a skill to him anymore—it was an art he could wield effortlessly thanks to the system. But knowing the effect it had on people never got old.

With lunch over, the group’s energy shifted naturally toward the next part of the day. "So," Kristopher said, glancing toward the glass doors that led to the deck, "how about the pool?"

That sparked immediate agreement. The girls decided to take a swim in the Mia’s turquoise-blue infinity pool, while the guys, on the other hand, were itching to dive into the open sea.

The moment the decision was made, they split off. The girls disappeared inside to change into their swimsuits, laughter trailing behind them. The guys took the quicker route—heading straight up to the pool deck, peeling off their shirts and trousers, and tossing them onto the nearest recliners.

From the edge of the deck, the view was perfect. The Mia was anchored in crystal-clear water that shifted between shades of turquoise and deep sapphire, the surface sparkling under the afternoon sun.

The marina was a distant memory now—out here, there was only sky, sea, and the gentle roll of the yacht.

With whoops and splashes, the guys leapt into the ocean, the sound echoing faintly against the hull.

Liam stayed where he was, slipping off only his shoes and socks before lowering himself onto the deck beside the pool. He let his legs dangle into the cool water, feeling the soft tug of the current against his skin.

The truth was, he couldn’t swim.

It wasn’t a crippling confession—it just wasn’t something he’d ever learned. And while he could chalk it up to lack of opportunity growing up, there was more to it than that.

He had a very mild case of thalassophobia. Not enough to freeze him in place or send him into panic at the sight of deep water, but enough that the idea of being surrounded by endless, unknowable depths unsettled him. And layered over that was something stranger: melanoheliophobia—the fear of black holes.

It sounded absurd, even to him. But ever since he was a kid, the thought of those cosmic voids, devouring light and time itself, had been enough to make his stomach twist.

Spaghettification...

Combine that with the sight of dark water stretching to the horizon, and... well, swimming in the open sea had never been high on his to-do list.

He gave a small, wry smile to himself and shook the thought away. No point in ruining the mood.

"Liam!" Matt’s voice called out across the water. "Come on, man—jump in!"

Liam waved him off with a grin. "I’m good here."

Matt wasn’t convinced. "You’re missing out!"

"I’m fine," Liam repeated, his tone friendly but final.

Matt narrowed his eyes, curiosity creeping into his expression. Then, a slow, teasing smile spread across his face. "Wait a second... you can’t swim, can you?"

Liam sighed. "Nope."

There was a beat of silence, and then—

The guys erupted into laughter. Not cruel, not mocking—just the kind of surprised, good-natured amusement that came when someone you thought could do everything revealed a gap in their skills.

Before the teasing could escalate, the sound of the saloon doors opening drew their attention. The girls emerged in swimsuits, sunglasses perched on their noses, the scent of sunscreen drifting faintly in the breeze.

They approached, their steps slowing when they noticed the guys still laughing.

"What’s so funny?" Elise asked, adjusting her towel over one shoulder.

Harper grinned and answered without hesitation. "Liam can’t swim."

The girls’ eyebrows rose almost in unison.

"You can’t swim?" Lana asked, her voice softer than expected, almost curious.

Liam nodded, unbothered. "Nope."

Kristie tilted her head, then smiled. "Well, then you should get in the pool and I’ll teach you."

He shook his head. "Maybe another time. Today, I’m just here to relax."

They didn’t push him. The girls simply slipped into the pool, the water rippling gently around them as they swam to the far side.

The afternoon drifted by in an easy rhythm. The girls floated, chatted, and took pictures in the pool, the sunlight glinting off the water and catching in their hair. The guys alternated between diving into the sea and lounging on the deck chairs, letting the salt dry on their skin.

Every now and then, Liam caught one of them glancing his way—maybe still a little surprised that he wasn’t the type to dive in headfirst. He didn’t mind. It gave them something to hold over him, and honestly, that was fine.

By late afternoon, the light began to soften, turning the water a deeper shade of blue. The sun dipped lower, painting the horizon with streaks of orange and gold. It was the kind of view that made you pause without meaning to.

Captain Rodrick appeared on the deck. "Mr. Liam, we’ll need to start heading back if we want to dock before full dark."

Liam nodded. "Let’s head in."

The call to return set everyone in motion. The girls climbed out of the pool, wrapping themselves in towels. The guys made one last dive before hauling themselves back aboard, shaking their hair like wet dogs.

They moved inside to change, laughter and snippets of conversation bouncing off the walls. By the time they regrouped on the aft deck, the Mia was already cutting smoothly through the water toward Marina del Rey.

The city lights began to flicker into view as the yacht glided closer to shore. The marina itself was alive with motion—sails being furled, ropes secured, the low hum of engines carrying across the water.

When the Mia finally docked, the group lingered a moment longer, reluctant to let the day end.

"Thanks for hosting, Liam," Kristopher said, clapping him lightly on the shoulder.

"Yeah," Lana added with a smile. "This was... unforgettable."

One by one, they thanked him before stepping onto the dock, their voices carrying back in warm echoes.

Liam watched them go, with a bright smile on his face. He really had a wonderful day with them and he would love to experience more days like this.

He turned toward the helipad, where the Sikorsky was already waiting, rotors turning lazily in the evening air. Mason and Nick fell into step behind him.

As he climbed aboard, the scent of saltwater still clinging to his blazer, Liam glanced back once at the yacht—her decks glowing softly in the dusk, against the restless marina.

Then the helicopter lifted off, carrying him away into the deepening night.