Ariana sighed. “I know. We are not easy, are we?”
“We are when we’re together.”
Ariana wanted to let her feelings go and tell Nicole what was in her heart. Maybe she could while they were away.
“I brought something that will make both of us feel better,” Nicole said.
She stood up, but Ariana reached for her hand. “Thank you for being here with me.”
“Oh, babe,” Nicole said softly, kissing the back of Ariana’s hand. “I’ll be right back. I brought ice cream.”
Ariana’s heart was thumping double time in her chest. Nicole called her “babe.” Maybe everything would be okay, just as Nicole said.
Chapter Thirty
Nicole had her arm through Ariana’s as they stood on the top deck of the ferry watching the island grow bigger as they approached it. They both had on hats and sunglasses, but Nicole occasionally glanced around the deck to find no one paying them any mind. Just as she hoped, they appeared to be like any other couple on a midweek vacation.
“What do you want to do first when we get to Kate’s beach house?” Nicole asked, leaning into Ariana’s shoulder.
“Do you really have to ask?” Ariana replied in a low voice.
Nicole chuckled. “We’ll have plenty of time for that.”
“I want to walk along the beach and hold your hand,” Ariana said.
Nicole smiled. “We can do that. Then maybe we’ll sit in the sand as the sun sets and see the colors reflected on the water.”
“Mmm, that sounds better than basketball.”
“Isn’t it funny how we once thought basketball was all we had in common?”
“I knew there was much more,” Ariana said. “That’s why I kept adding to our list.”
“Ah, so what were you hoping back then?”
“I already had a massive crush on you and your sexy voice, but I wanted to get to know you,” Ariana said. “I didn’t know how that could be possible because of our situation. However, after we worked together at that youth event I was determined to find a way.”
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you,” Nicole said. “I already knew you were a gifted athlete and well liked by your teammates, but there was something in your smile and the way you looked at me.” She took a deep breath and sighed, resting her head on Ariana’s shoulder. “It’s our connection.”
“Yeah and it’s stronger than ever.”
Nicole smiled and fought the urge to lean up and kiss those sweet lips.
It wasn’t long until they left the ferry, took a car to the beach house, and quickly changed into their swimsuits. They walked down the beach, hand in hand, just as Ariana had wanted. The beach wasn’t empty, but there wasn’t anyone near enough to recognize them and Nicole was surprised at how quickly their usual hyper-awareness of their surroundings disappeared. It was replaced by a content feeling of togetherness that Nicole could feel growing in her heart.
Once they were back at the cottage the water called to them and they splashed, swam, and waded through the waves. Nicole couldn’t keep her hands off of Ariana. Their arms were wrapped around each other, sharing kiss after kiss with laughter and smiles in between.
“Thank you,” Ariana said as they walked back to where their towels were spread out on the beach.
“For what?”
“All of this,” Ariana said. “I haven’t had this much fun and felt so free in a long time.”
“Don’t you feel safe at my apartment?”
“Yes and it’s fun when we’re on the roof or snuggled inside, but…” She shrugged. “This feels different.”
“The threat of being discovered is minimal here,” Nicole said. “Feeling free is a good way to describe it.” She plopped down on her towel and wiped water from her face.
