We paddle out into the emptiness, a vast blue sea of nothing, just the way we want it.It will give us the clarity we need to start the day, starting over, clean and calm.
I can picture the bakery with its unique pink and white tile floor, the building now painted a soft pink with gold accents.The display cases are in place, along with all the tables and chairs in the most perfect color, like driftwood.Like the beach, like the sand, like the place we call home.
Today, Miles will hang the floral garland that Sloane designed to match the awning.It will dot the walls inside and around the window outside.The last finishing touch is the sign.
I can’t wait to see it all come together, I think as I catch my first wave and ride it all the way to the shore.
Daisyand I surf for a couple of hours, and everything about it is perfect.There’s no one else out here for the first hour, although Alana and Flynn eventually join us.Watching those two surf is amazing.Daze and me both hanging back at one point as the two of them catch a wave in together.
“They really are good, aren’t they?”she murmurs, straddling her board beside me.
Chuckling, I grab her wrist, pulling her closer.“They are, yeah,” I say, my hand sliding up her arm to grip the back of her neck as I pull her in for a kiss.
Daisy smiles against my mouth.“What was that for?”
I kiss her again before pulling back.“For talking sense into me last night,” I say.She swallows hard, her eyes locked with mine.“You were right.Me going over there is exactly what he wanted.I don’t want to give that asshole anything, so thank you.”
She leans over to kiss me.“Thank you for coming back.”
I smile, nuzzling my nose against hers.“You know I’ll do anything for you, Daze,” I tell her.“Anything.”
“Oi, lovebirds, we surfing, or what?”
We both laugh at Flynn’s comment, his Aussie accent standing out as he and Alana paddle out to join us.
“Yeah, we’re surfing,” I tell him.
Flynn sits up on his board, an easy smile on his face.“Come on then, Olsen, show me what you’ve got.”
I glance behind me, looking for the next wave.“Any tips, coach?”I ask.
Flynn laughs.“Get your arse up on the board and surf, mate!”he says.
I see the swell build, knowing I’ve got my next wave.“Race you in?”I suggest with a grin.
He grins back at me, already lying on his board and ready.“Fuck yeah,” he says.
The wave reaches us, and we both start to paddle.Flynn is up on his board before me because he’s a five-time world champion.As I stand, I watch him carve through the face of the wave, glancing back at me, a huge grin on his face as he gives me a shaka.
He might be an Aussie, but the guy is fully embracing Hawaiian life.
“Come on, Olsen!”he shouts, barely even watching the wave as he switches back before disappearing into the barrel of the wave.
There’s not a chance in hell I can compete with this guy, but that’s okay.It’s enough that we’re just out here surfing together.
When we both reach the shore, I grab my board, tucking it under my arm.“Fuck, that was so good,” I tell him.
Flynn laughs, turning to the ocean where the girls are now catching a wave.“Nah man,she’swhat’s good,” he says, gesturing to Alana.
And he’s right because she is good, always has been, even back when we were kids and Mitch and my dad were giving us tips on how to catch waves.Alana always stood out as something more, something better, and I’m so fucking glad she didn’t give up when Mitch died.
So glad Flynn came into her life too and convinced her to try again.The guy is her biggest supporter, and it’s everything that she needed.
Daze and Alana reach the shore, both of them smiling as they grab their boards and join us.
“Should we get going?”I ask Daisy, knowing we have lots to do today.
“Yeah,” she replies, smiling up at me.
