The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 58

"How long has she been down there? Why does she look more seasoned than Coach Jensen..."

In the hushed murmurs, the surprise and admiration became increasingly obvious. At a depth of 80 feet, Sloane followed Coach Jensen's signals and flawlessly executed a simulated equipment malfunction drill with icy calm.

An hour later, Sloane finally breached the surface alongside Coach Jensen. She pulled off her mask, her soaked dark hair clinging to her cheeks. Her breathing was slightly elevated, but her dark eyes were blazing with a brilliant, intense light.

Coach Jensen climbed onto the deck first and reached down to pull her up. Sloane hauled herself out, and the moment her boots hit the tiles, a chorus of clear "whoa"s and applause erupted nearby.

"That was awesome!"

"The way you handled that malfunction check—that was textbook!"

"Seriously, you're amazing!"

Sloane blinked in surprise, then offered a shy smile and a modest nod to the group. A long-dormant sense of pride—the intoxicating feeling of being recognized and having total control over her body—slowly welled up in her chest.

Standing a few steps away with his arms crossed, Quentin couldn't hide his grin. He shot her a thumbs up.

"That's my girl! The best trainee I ever had!"

After wrapping up the session, Sloane took a shower in the locker room and changed into clean clothes. She walked out the front doors of the training center, her duffel bag slung over her shoulder. The evening breeze was cool against her damp hair.

She had barely stepped off the stairs when a figure blocked her path.

It was Josh.

But he didn't look like the bright-eyed, endlessly sunny guy he usually was. Tonight, he wore a dark jacket, his hair slightly disheveled. In the fading light, his face looked shadowed, and a tempest of dark emotions raged in his striking eyes.

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