I tossed my keys onto the table by the door and slipped out of my shoes.
“Well, good. They want to get us together at the beach after church. Low-key. Tacos for lunch, maybe frisbee or volleyball, and a bonfire in the evening. I’ll just ride with the girls while the guys get the tacos, so I’ll meet you there.”
“If you’re there, I’m there. But if Mike knows we’re all getting together, he’ll pout if I don’t invite him. He needs a break from staying home anyway. He can’t swim, but he can hang out.”
“Absolutely. He’s part of the group now. I’m excited to see you again so soon. And Monday, I guess we’ll have to see HR, but it won’t be a big deal.”
I nodded and sat in my favorite chair. “I hadn’t thought that far yet. Just tell me what to do and who to see. I’m in. I’m all in.”
She whispered, “Me, too. See you tomorrow. Oh, and I’d like to visit your church soon.”
Smiling, I answered, “That would be great. Good night, Leyla.”
“Night.”
The following afternoon,Mike and I headed out to meet the group near the pier in La Jolla.
“Can’t tell you how happy I am for you, man,” he said, holding his arm that was in a cast as we drove.
Running my hand through my hair as the wind from the open window blew it, I said, “I woke up this morning fearing it had all been a dream. I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
“She’s a wonderful woman. Andshe’slucky, too, you know?”
I smiled and nodded. “Thanks.” Looking over at him at a traffic light, I said, “And how about you? Wasn’t there anyone you wanted to invite today?”
Mike looked at me and shook his head, his signature wide smile in place. “Nah, I’m taking a little break right now. You know I date a lot and keep things casual. But I don’t know? Maybe seeing you fall in love and get all gooey on the inside has made me want something different.”
I was shocked to hear my best friend admit this, especially after his cryptic comment recently about not getting serious with a woman because he was the guy they only wanted to have fun with. I hadn’t known how to bring up the subject again but had been praying about it.
Our faith bonded us more deeply than all the years of friendship we had shared, and Mike was a strong, deeply committed Christian. I knew that he became intentionally celibate after becoming a believer several years ago.
Since his encounter with God, he enjoyed being out and having fun, either in a group or with a woman on casual dates. It didn’t matter whether that meant a movie, a beach day, or disc golf in the park. He was always up for a good time and seemed to hate being alone.
When we pulled into a parking spot at the back of the lot, I said, “There’s a woman out there for you, Mike. I know it without a doubt.”
He just shrugged, so I let it go. He carried our beach chairs in his good hand while I handled the cooler of drinks. Weaving inand out of families dotting the beach, we found where Leyla and the group were waiting.
Her wide smile and enthusiastic wave greeted me from a distance, and I held back from dropping everything, running to her, and kissing her.
She must’ve had the same thought as I watched her run toward us, her green eyes shining with joy. Wow. What a sight. There was no way to ignore the racing of my heart and how much I wanted her in my arms again. Several feet from where the group had spread out multiple blankets, we met, and I did exactly what I’d wanted to do. I unceremoniously dropped the cooler, picked her up by the waist, and kissed her.
That elicited catcalls and whistles from her friends and Mike. Breaking our kiss, I leaned back as we both smiled.
“Hello again, handsome,” she said, our foreheads touching, smiles wide.
“Hello, hyatim,” I answered, my voice deep and clear. Her breath caught in her throat, and I wanted to kiss her again, but I decided to set her back on the sand.
“You need to warn a girl when you’re going to say that,” she said, her hand on her heart.
“You were warned last night when I first called you that.” We walked to where the group was sitting, their curious looks and smiles tracking us the whole way.
“Hey,Leyla, bet you don’t think Vicky and I are so gross with our PDA anymore, now do ya?” Sofia called out, making Luke and Miles laugh.
“Little ears,” Vicky warned, pointing to her daughter and Sofia’s young son, Dean.
Shielding her eyes from the sun, Leyla said, “I will concede the point. Just don’t talk about Luke’s moves and we’re good.”
Luke blushed and swung his head to look at Sofia, who just shrugged.
