Chapter 14
Chloe
It’s5:47a.m.,andI’ve been tossing and turning for the last hour. The practical side of my brain is at war with my emotions. All of my adult life, I have been guided by logic. The pragmatic thing to do is to take Bronson’s job offer. If it’s that simple, why am I so gutted?
I close my eyes and inhale deeply. Then I blow the air out, willing the tension in my head to release. It’s no use, though. I’m never going to go back to sleep. Crawling out of bed, I open the door to my balcony, overlooking the ocean.
I relax onto an Adirondack chair and wrap myself in a blanket. It’s dark, but I smell the salty air and hear the waves gently rolling in. This should be the soundtrack to peace and tranquility but instead reminds me of Leo, which brings on a surge of adrenaline. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him, but it’s only been a few days. Why is it so hard for me to walk away?
Shouldn’t I be excited about this new job? I’ll be rubbing shoulders regularly with Bronson Campbell. A month ago, I would have sang karaoke, on stage, in front of people—my number one fear—if it meant working with him. Now, I don’t feel that same attraction. Don’t get me wrong, he's still as handsome as ever. He’s polished and suave. Everything from his suit jackets to his wing-tipped shoes are impeccably procured.
Leo, on the other hand, has a ruggedness about him. On the surface, we’re from different worlds. I’m used to business attire, and he wears board shorts. I have academic smarts, he has street smarts. I think I’m starting to understand why opposites attract. There’s something fun and mysterious about someone who is so different than me. We have complementing strengths.
Most of all though, Leo isn’t just an idea. He’s real. His thoughtful, caring heart is wrapped up in an exceptionally attractive package and the bow is his gorgeous man bun. I think I sensed disappointment when I told him I was going to take the job in Colorado…
I click my phone screen and scroll to the favorites album. That’s where the selfie of Leo and I lives. Gosh I love that man’s smile. His tan skin and golden-retriever energy radiate from the picture. I’m crazy to walk away from him, right?
The battle rages between the old Chloe, and the new Chloe blooming. Which one do I want to be? A smile cracks through as I think about our surf lesson. I was terrible at doing the pop up, but he was so encouraging. I really want to go for it…I want to actually get in the water and try surfing.
On YouTube, I search for “beginner surf lessons.” Clicking on the first one, I watch the instructor demonstrate ‘the four’ technique that Leo taught me. I turn up the volume and prop my phone onto my knees.
The instructor continues, “When you’re ready to get in the water, remember your sweet spot. This is important to avoid nose diving and to find balance when paddling. It takes some practice, especially on a new board.”
I pause the video and sit up. I need to hear that again, so I rewind and tap play. Listening to it a second time, the words that first caught my attention feel like life-giving rain in a drought. I need to see Leo.
Chapter 15
Leo
Ipullmyhairinto a bun then grab my surfboard. Chloe texted me at 6:30 a.m. exactly. I was excited to see her message at first, but then, my happiness faded as I remembered she’s leaving in a few days.
In her text she asked if I’d meet her at the beach this morning for a surf lesson. I was planning on surfing today anyway, but I was hoping it would help me clear my head. Chloe’s presence ushers in the opposite effect. Her shy smile is intoxicating, but it has nothing on her giggle.
I lock the door behind me and head toward the beach. It’s a five-minute, straight shot to the beach, but it might as well be a rollercoaster ride with all the emotions swirling in my mind. There’s no way I would ever ask Chloe to turn down the job, but should I see if she wants to stay in touch? Do people ask that anymore? Or should I just hope she texts me? I bang the surfboard against my forehead. That’s it. Dating sucks.
Okay that’s unfair. I haven’t gotten past a first date in so long, I don’t think I’m qualified to bash the process. I guess the truth is…Chloe leaving sucks. The last few days with her have been the best I’ve had in a long time.
As I approach the boardwalk, my ab muscles tighten. I guess I’m bracing myself for when I see her, knowing it could be the last.
When I reach the sand, I spot Chloe’s towel and backpack, but I don’t see her anywhere. I move my eyes to the water and nearly fall over. Chloe is at least twenty yards out, paddling toward me. She lifts her hand to wave, and then quickly puts it back down.
The woman who didn’t even want to go in yesterday is now paddling out alone? With my board under my arm, I hurry to the water’s edge. She’s farther out than I feel comfortable with—especially with the wind picking up. I motion for her to paddle in. She nods, acknowledging my gesture.
Without warning, a surge of water forms. My mouth goes dry. I sprint into the sea keeping my eyes locked on her. I don’t want to scare her, but I have to warn her. “Look out!”
Jumping onto my board, I move my arms through the water as fast as I can. I’m a few feet away from her when the wave breaks, spilling over her. I take a deep breath and dive under. Emerging, I scan frantically for Chloe. Please, please say she’s leashed to her board.
She’s nowhere in sight, and I’m starting to panic. “Chloe! Chloe!” I scream her name and wait for a response. Five seconds go by, and then ten.
“Leo.” I faintly hear my name and look around. Chloe is clinging to her board a few feet from me. I swim as fast as I can to her.
“It’s okay, I’m here.” I pull her onto my board, and then jump into the water. She coughs repeatedly. Kicking my feet as hard as I can, I push us to shore.
When the water is shallow enough that I can stand, I slide Chloe off the board and drape her arm around me. She’s sniffling and trying to clear her throat. The moment our feet hit the dry sand, I help her sit.
Falling to my knees in front of her, I lift her chin so that I can look into her eyes. “Chloe, are you okay?”
She nods, and then hangs her head. “I’m…so…sorry.”
