Saylor looked at Rowan to see how he answered. They were his friends and she didn’t want to speak out of turn.
“We met in December,” he said. “Around the holidays.”
Keeping it light. “Nice,” Zara said. “Are you a surfer? You don’t really look like his type.”
Talk about a rude statement.
“I didn’t know I had a type,” he said.
Great. Just what she needed to hear from his friends to feel more self-conscious about her life.
She’d spent so many years wanting to fit in and be normal after her diagnosis.
Maybe coming here without knowing more about Rowan’s lifestyle wasn’t a great idea.
She’d decided based on their week alone and how he made her feel.
Might not have been the wisest of choices.
“You like girls that enjoy the outdoors,” Eli said. “We know that. Not a blonde or brunette type thing.”
“I enjoy being outdoors,” Saylor said. “When I’m not working. As for surfing, Rowan is going to teach me soon.”
His friends looked at each other, Rowan not smiling. Which was odd because he was always happy.
“Hey, when you know you know. Maybe my normal type wasn’t working, if you think I’ve got one.”
Brian laughed and slapped him on the back. “They are just busting your ass. We’re hitting the waves now. We came over to see if you wanted to join us and that’s why Zara asked.”
“You can go if you want when we’re done,” she said.
“I’ll catch up with you guys another time. Tonight is date night. No one gives up time with a hot chick to hit the waves.”
Everyone laughed but Brian. He’d looked stunned.
When Rowan didn’t speak up after a minute, she finally asked, “What was that about?”
“It’s a small community. I’m surprised I wasn’t stopped before now. I know many people here.”
“I’m sure you come here often, but maybe they were being considerate since you are on a date.”
“Most likely,” he said. “I really don’t have a type.”
“It’s fine,” she said. “We are attracted to who we are.”
He reached his hand over and put it on hers. “I’m attracted to you. Youhaveto know that.”
“I don’thaveto know anything,” she said. “But since we’ve got such powerful chemistry I’m going on that assumption.”
He breathed out. “As you should. You can’t let what some of my friends say get to you. Most of them are ball busters.”
“Does it bother you I can’t surf? It’s so much a part of your life. What if I suck at it?”
“Then you do. You don’t need to surf for me to care for you any more or less. It’s my hobby.”
“Rowan. It’s your life. Your business. I want to understand it and know as much about it as I can. But that doesn’t mean I have to stand on a board and do it, right?”
He slid his chair over, put his fingers through her hair and pulled her in for a kiss. “The woman in my life is going to understand me, not be like me. There’s a difference.”
