“Quit it. Anyway, I’m changing my look.”
“Branching out? I’ve got it. Add some purple and gold and call it peacock. Start a new trend.”
“Peacock already exists. And you missed green. Good thing you don’t work in beauty.”
Phoenix’s chuckle turned into a full-blown snort.
“I like your look,” Tammy pronounced. “I couldn’t pull it off.”
“I do, too,” Phoenix concurred. “Why are you changing?”
“My job.” Orchid raised her voice over the wind that ruffled her azure hair. “I need to look professional. I’m going back to my natural color, to give me a better chance at that China assignment.”
“If hair color’s enough to make you lose an assignment, sneak some tennis-ball green onto Sir Princeton’s pillowcase,” Phoenix said.
The image of Princeton’s proper ‘do shot through with chartreuse filled Orchid with glee. “Hair color probably has nothing to do with it. I just don’t want to regret anything later, when Princeton gets the job.”
“Who’s this Princeton dude? I’ll take him out,” Tammy offered.
“My nemesis at work. He gets everything. Knowing my luck, I’ll be working for him next.”
“Except, you have a secret weapon,” Phoenix offered in his low rumble.
Tammy looked from Phoenix to Orchid. “Sure is hot out here.” She grinned.
Orchid blushed. Was her attraction to Phoenix that visible? She moved closer to the lapping waves, taking a minute to regroup. Froth swirled around her ankles. She tossed her Keds onto a dry spot on the beach and shivered with delight. The crisp blue of the sky reminded her of a cobalt gaze that jolted her alive. Salt air misted her face. “The water’s cold,” she called out.
“You should feel it a half mile out,” Tammy shared. She and Phoenix paused to watch Orchid wade into the surf.
Orchid’s steps sank into the silty, soft sand. No matter that Phoenix felt obligated to bring her. She was going to relish this beautiful day. She loved Tammy’s military cool. She was going to absorb everything she could and earn that assignment.
Deeper and cooler here, her toes perceived larger granules. She tugged her cropped leggings over her knees. Mixed with murky water, the sand sucked her down. “Come join me!” she called out. Tammy bent to remove her running shoes. Phoenix had already discarded his onto the bright sand. Even his squared off feet were long and elegant.
The next step sank deep. Pain shot through her. A piercing like a knife breached the arch of her foot. She shrieked and recoiled from whatever had attacked her in the swirling water. Stumbling, she would’ve fallen if it weren’t for the strong arms that surrounded her. She turned towards Phoenix’s warmth. The worry on his face mirrored the horror she felt.
“Jellyfish? Or are you just seeking attention?” he asked, his tone low and calm.
His humor and proximity eased her nervous system. Her brain slowed from alarm to assessing herself. “I stepped on something. Be careful. Don’t come any closer. There’s something sharp here.”
His lips spread with mirth. “Any closer?” He glanced down at the two of them in an embrace.
She felt the roundness of her breast pressed against his muscular chest. There could be no closer. Well, maybe, but she wasn’t about to let her imagination roam there.
Tammy waded up to them. “You two love birds need help?”
“Be careful, don’t come any closer,” Phoenix deadpanned, and Orchid cracked up. A miracle, considering her foot was now throbbing.
“Sounds like you’re okay.” Tammy grinned and kept the distance between them.
“Can you walk?” Phoenix asked, his gaze of concern sweeping over Orchid.
She tiptoed a ginger step and nearly crumpled from the stabbing sensation traveling up her leg. Good thing his whole body kept hers upright.
Tammy came over and positioned herself on the other side of her. Orchid’s arms wrapped over the shoulders of one athlete, and around the waist of the other. She hobbled the dozen hops to emerge from the water.
“I’m ridiculous,” she said self-assessing how she must look.
“You’re kind of adorable,” Tammy assured her.
