It’s time to lighten up this turning-into-a-lusty-moment.
I stand and turn to Willa, stating, “You bet. In fact…” I take one step away. “I’ll race you down there.”
With that, I’m off.
And so is she.
This chick is surprisingly fast, but I still win, making it into the ocean first.
She splashes in behind me, complaining, “Hey, no fair. You had a head start.”
It’s true, so I don’t deny it, but I do snark, “Doesn’t matter. I still won.”
Frowning, she says, “You big jerk!”
Suddenly, she starts splashing me with water.
I’m turning and ducking and laughing my ass off. But fair is fair, so I get in on the game too. Pretty soon we look like foolish kids, both of us trying to get in the best, most punishing splash.
Then, out of the blue, Willa stops and covers her face with both hands. “Oh my God,” she cries out. “I think you just got salt water in my eyes.”
I immediately feel like the world’s biggest ass.
“Shit.” I walk through the water toward her. “Are you all right? Do you need to go into the house and wash your eyes out with clean water?”
Just as I place a comforting hand on her shoulder, feeling really bad, she drops her hands from her face and, with both arms, scoops up a big-ass amount of water that she proceeds to toss inmyface.
Laughing, she says, “Ha ha, gotcha.”
I’m fine, and I have to give her credit for duping me too.
But it’s my turn now.
Imake a show out of covering my face as I fib, “Ow, ow, ow. You really did get salt water in my eyes. They’re stinging like crazy.”
I’m playing it up, and she falls for it.
“Shane,” she breathes out worriedly. “I’m sorry. Can you see well enough to get out of the ocean? Here, I’ll lead you to the shore.”
She cups my elbow, and I know now is the time to make my move.
With a speed that even surprises me, I pick her up with ease, ignoring her surprised squeak, and walk her out to where the water is a little deeper. I then proceed to toss her into an incoming wave.
“Ha ha,” I throw back at her as she comes out of the wave. “Looks like I got you, too, babe.”
Sputtering out water from her mouth, she smooths her wet hair back and then levels me with those fiery greens.
“Oh yeah?” she snaps. “We’ll see about that. This is war, my friend.”
I’m laughing, because she’s clearly okay and up for teasing me still. But then she hops onto my back and starts trying to dunk me.
This girl.
She is so much like me—playful.
I love it.
She’s a good sport, seeing as I ward her off, and she gets in no successful dunking.
