“What?” she asks.
“You’re really locked into neutrals.”
She tucks her hair behind her ear and gives me a shy smile. “I’m boring, aren’t I?”
“Definitely not. I’m glad you know what you like. This one’s a winner, I can feel it.” What I actually feel is an ache in my chest as I look at Chloe. I can sense there is so much more beneath the surface. I hope I gain her trust enough so she lets me in.
As we head back to the retail area, I carry Chloe’s board while she drapes the wet suits over her right arm.
“You can put this stuff on my tab,” I tell Jason. He nods and pulls out a small file with notecards.
“Oh you don’t have to do that. I’ll pay for it.” Chloe grabs her purse and sets it on the counter.
“It’s my welcome to Sunshine Shores gift.” I wink at her after the last syllable leaves my lips. Yep, I winked. I am not smooth enough to pull that off. Why did I do that? Hopefully it didn’t look like an eye twitch.
Chloe scrunches her brows together. “You already bought me a cupcake, and you’re giving me surf lessons.”
I want to tell her that volunteering to give her surf lessons is really self-serving—a way to spend more time with her, but I don’t want to scare her off. Instead I say, “I love surfing, and getting to see others enjoy it is one of my favorite things to do. So, you’re really doing me a favor.” Everything I said is true, I just didn’t specify that teachinghermakes me even more excited than normal.
She squints at me skeptically. “All right, but I’m gonna find a way to pay you back.”
Her presence is payment enough. I hope she knows that. For the first time since I can remember, I feel like I’m not just Benjamin’s dad…which is a great thing to be. I’ve been content with that role for the last five years. But, Chloe’s making me think I might want to be Leo again, with a personal life. The idea of actually being interested in someone awakens a longing in my chest…and plants a pit in my stomach.
Chapter 10
Chloe
IparkAuntVal’scar at Leon Inlet. Somehow, this morning, I managed to slide into my first ever wetsuit. That was an adventure. I opted for the smaller size because the other one was a little loose. Now, I’m second guessing my decision. I feel like it’s cutting off my air supply…but maybe that’s just my anxious brain freaking out.
Okay, pep talk time. Chloe, yes there are sharks and a million other creatures in the ocean, but you can do this. Yes, there is the possibility that you could drown…I stop myself. This is a terrible pep talk.
I find my phone and search for the song “Eye of the Tiger.” With the volume turned up, I close my eyes and bob my head to the beat, trying to soak in the emboldening lyrics.
What did Adelena, my main character, tell her fellow fighters before battle? Be brave, be strong, be fearless and believe! I love her. She’s confident and boisterous, while at the same time compassionate. Adelena would never let her fear stop her from accomplishing a goal. That’s why I love writing her so much. She’s what I aspire to be.
Today, I’m going to channel her spirit. Rise up to the challenge. Let’s do this.
I grab my backpack, step out of the car and freeze. Leo is leaning against a short wooden post with his hand atop our two surfboards. His eyes sparkle as he gives me a quick nod.
I want to crawl in a hole and never come out. “How…long have you been standing there?”
“Only a couple minutes. You looked busy, so I didn’t want to interrupt.”
I drop my backpack to the ground and hang my head. “Just trying to pump myself up. I’m really nervous.”
“Was that… ‘Eye of the Tiger’?”
“Yep,” I stammer, as we begin walking on the wooden path toward the beach.
“Good choice. Whenever I need a good jam session, I usually opt for “Shake it Off”, but that’s a close second.”
A laugh bursts through. “You’re a Swifty, huh?”
“I don’t know if I have enough street cred for that title, but that woman knows how to write a song.”
“Agreed.” I feel my cheek muscles working as Leo once again makes me smile. I don’t know how he does it, but he made my horrible embarrassment disappear as quickly as it came.
“How’s your wetsuit fit?”
