The beach is full of tourists and umbrellas. More people are out because the surf competition starts this weekend. My age group competes in two days, and I’m feeling nervous about it. But what really scares me comes after. Thesummer crushagreement ends soon, and I made a promise to myself that I’d accept whatever happened. If Carter leaves, I’ll learn to survive, per usual.
An hour later, Carter walks in with sand on his calves and a book tucked under his arm. “Everything okay?”
“I kicked Adam out,” I say.
Carter sets his book on the counter. “Want to talk about it?”
“I don’t know where to start. He slept with my best friend in California. He offered me a job.”
“Uh, that’s a lot.”
“I lost my temper and threw his suitcase off the balcony, then told him to get the fuck out.”
Carter blinks and then he bursts into laughter. “Damn, I’m sad I missed this.”
He walks behind the desk, which he’s never done, and slides a kiss across my lips. I melt into him, feeling relaxed for the first time all day.
“What was that for?” I ask.
He leans down close to my ear. “You needed a distraction.”
“Always do,” I say with a smile.
His hand moves to the back of my neck and squeezes once. The tension in my body releases.
“Do you have plans next Friday?”
“Are you asking me on a date?”
“Yes, I fucking am,” he tells me.
All I can do is smile. “What time?”
“Seven.”
I lean into him. “I’ll be there. Should I wear anything special?”
“I’ll have something delivered.”
My brow lifts. “And what does that mean?”
“You’ll find out.”
I let out a relieved breath. “You know what I could go for right now?”
He smiles. “What?”
“Some strawberry cake with strawberry icing.”
“With vanilla ice cream?” he asks.
“Stop. You’re turning me on.”
“Lead the way,” he says, looping his pinkie with mine, leading me toward the door.
Adam is finally gone. The surf competition is forty-eight hours away, and next Friday, I have a real date planned with Carter.
The last time I gave my heart to a man, he used it as currency. I hope Carter protects it.
