Never Forget (Memories)

now?'' I laugh.
    ''Hmm, no.'' He rests his chin on my shoulder. ''Because nothing you've ever caught could beat what I've caught.''
    ''Wanna bet?'' I try to move my head so he can see my disbelieving face.
    ''Go on, then, tell me what you've caught.''
    I tap my chin as I think.
    ''I've caught a lobster,'' I say and he shakes his head. ''One of those little octopuses?'' He shakes his head again. ''I don't know then.''
    I give in.
    ''They definitely don't beat my best catch.'' He wraps his other arm around my waist.
    ''Go on, then, enlighten me.'' I smile. ''What's your best catch?''
    He nudges my hair away from my ear with his nose.
    ''I'm holding it right now. I just need to reel her in.''
    I smile and shake my head. ''Smooth.''
    He raises his head and grins at me. ''That was pretty good, huh?''
    I look up at him. ''Better than that crappy Disney princess reference you made before.''
    He grimaces. ''Yeah, that wasn't my best.''
    ''It was kinda sweet. In a dorky way.'' I start walking again and he releases me, resting one arm over my shoulders. I pat his hand and he snatches it, linking our fingers.
    The next – and last - exhibit is the Lundy Island one. They have an amazing marine reserve just off the island, and I've always loved seeing the fish in the aquarium.
    ''I'd love to go to Lundy.''
    ''Haven't you been?'' Alec looks at me like I'm crazy.
    ''Yeah, to the island,'' I explain. ''But I've never done the snorkelling. I've always wanted to, but Mum said I was too young before. I guess I could do it this summer at some point.''
    Alec nods. ''I'll take you. How are you on boats?''
    I wrinkle my nose. ''Not great, but I can manage it.''
    ''You're cute when you do that.'' He taps my nose and I fake a glare at him. ''We'll go one day next week. Promise. My friend has a small boat docked at the harbour and he'll take us over.''
    ''He won't mind?'' I look at him in shock.
    ''No, he does the food runs back here to the mainland. He actually lives on Lundy – one of like thirty people that do – and he's always happy to come back and save us paying the prices they charge for something he'll do for the cost of a pint or two.''
    I smile. ''That'd be amazing.''
    He squeezes my shoulders. ''Anything for you, Princess.''
    I'm starting to think he's right.
    He's gone out of his way to spend the day with me, doing my favourite things with me just to make my birthday special. Now, he's planning a trip to Lundy just so I can snorkel. I have no doubt he'd fly to Africa to get me a fresh mango or a pet monkey if I asked him to.
    I have no doubt..
    Jen was right. He's doing this to prove to me he's worth a chance, worth the risk. He's doing it to prove to me that I'm not like the other girls in the past. That he wants more than one night.
    The thought trickles over me slowly, slowly peeling away the film over my eyes that's been there when I've looked at him before. A layer is stripped from my heart as I look up at him. He glances down at me and I see how happy he is.
    Alec's happy because I'm happy.
    It’s a surreal feeling, knowing I've made him so happy through my own happiness. He really did do all of this for me, to make my birthday perfect.
    I'm not completely ready to trust him fully. I know that. But, I am ready to give him what little I have.
    I lean my head against his shoulder as we leave the aquarium, my body curling into his slightly. I let my arm slip around his waist and he pulls me towards him. His lips press against the top of my head in a soft kiss.
    Without my stubborn layer hiding it, I'm struck by how right it feels.

    ALEC

    Her body curls to mine and I press my lips to the top of her head. Her hair still smells of strawberries and I squeeze her hand and smile to myself.
    If all it took was a trip to the aquarium to get her to trust me, I should have done this weeks ago.
    ''Where to now?'' I ask her as we stroll along casually.
    ''Mmm, I'm pretty sure chips were mentioned this morning.'' Lexy licks her lips and I'm momentarily distracted by the movement of her tongue.
    ''Hello? Alec?'' Her lips curve in a smile and I blink.
    ''Sorry, Princess. What did you say?''
    ''I said, I'm hungry.'' She laughs quietly.
    ''Well then. We'll feed you.'' I grin and wink at her. She shakes her head and I turn us in the direction of the chip shop. It feels natural, walking with her so close and buying her food like she's actually mine.
    She is. Almost.
    Her stomach rumbles and she blushes.
    ''Honestly, you'd think you never