I didn’t answer because my heart was still on that beach, still caught between Olivia’s breath and her confession. I lay awake a little longer, letting the night finally settle around me, until sleep eventually dragged me under.
Morning came far too quickly.
Cassandra and Georgia shuffled out looking like ghosts who regretted every life choice that led them to tequila. They muttered half-formed promises about never drinking again and winced every time sunlight touched their retinas.
After we we’re fully caffeinated and onlyslightlyless disheveled, we trailed behind Georgia as she practically skipped toward the main hall, trying to pretend she wasn’t nursing a headache the size of Asia. Cassandra strode ahead with a pair of sunglasses welded to her face, while I walked behind them, trying to act casual and probably failing like a caffeine-deprived triathlete who’d barely slept in two days and was still carrying the echo of a kiss on her mouth.
Both families were already at a table, laughing like the world had just handed them all the perfect morning. Olivia caught my eye for a split second, lips twitching in that familiar, slightly annoyed way, and my chest did that stupid little jump that only she could trigger.
We found our seats on the nipa hut spread out on the beach, family-style, a proper boodle fight, Filipino-style, with seafood, rice, and grilled meats laid out on banana leaves. Olivia was across from me, laughing at something Bianca had said.
“Morning,” I said, keeping my voice low and casual, though I swear it came out too smooth.
“Morning,” she replied, bright but clipped, like she was trying to act normal while her brain clearly wasn’t cooperating.
Georgia’s mother leaned over, impossibly sweet and curious. “So, Georgia, how are your races going so far?”
Georgia rolled her eyes and grinned, clearly loving being the center of attention. “Well, me and Alex, we’ve got a T100 in San Francisco this week. It should be… interesting.”
William, who’d been quietly sipping his coffee, smirked. “Interesting? You mean after your little DNF in Singapore thanks to that mechanical disaster on the bike?”
Georgia groaned dramatically, waving him off. “It was one race! And it wasn’t my fault!”
I tried to sip my coffee like it was the most fascinating thing in the room, even though I could feel Olivia in front of me like a second pulse.
“Alex,” Bianca chimed in, tilting her head with a curious grin, “you play tennis too, right? I swear I’ve watched one of your matches before.”
Before I could even begin to form a semi-humble, non-cringe answer, Olivia’s grandmother brightened like someone had just handed her the missing corner of a puzzle. “Oh!That’swhere I know you,” she said, pointing at me with the kind of certainty only grandmothers have. “You’re a Cadiz. I remember watching your mum play, such variety, such flair. And it runs in the family, I see!”
I almost choked on air but somehow managed a soft, grateful laugh instead. “Thank you,” I said, a little shy but sincere. “That means a lot, really. I’m nowhere near my mom’s level or my twin’s. I just try to enjoy it.”
It sounded awkward coming out, but before I could sink into the table, Olivia looked up at me.
“I’ve seen you mix it up,” she murmured, the words slipping out like she didn’t have to think about them. “You’ve got a… flair for it, just like your mum.”
I tried not to choke on my coffee, smiling back before I could overthink it. My heartbeat tripped over itself, absolutely useless.
Breakfast wound down, the chatter fading into laughter and the clatter of dishes as everyone started planning the next activity.
Once everyone had finished, Cassandra and Georgia claimed the sunniest spots on the beach, fully committing to sunbathing and soaking up the calm before heading back to training and races.
I smiled, letting them settle, and on the other hand, I had spotted Olivia sitting on a cluster of smooth rocks.
Her hair was loose, catching the sunlight, and her swimsuit made my heart beat like it's about to burst. Great. Just what I needed: a full-blown, flustered Alex Cadiz moment.
I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and sauntered over, trying to look casual.
“Fancy seeing you here, Smythe,” I said, hands shoved deep into the pockets of my shorts, pretending I hadn’t stood ten meters away rehearsing three different openings like an idiot.
She looked up at me, one brow arched, lips curving. “You do realize this isn’t exactly a secret spot, right?”
“Mm,” I sighed dramatically, lowering myself beside her in the sand. “Still feels like you were waiting for me.”
“You are unbelievable.”
I bumped her shoulder lightly with mine. “So,” I said, casual but not at all casual, “are we… something now? Or am I supposed to keep guessing every time you kiss me?”
She buried a laugh in her knees. “Alex. Please.”
