“Can you stand?” he asked. Isamaria tried getting up again, but her head lolled and he said, “Not a good idea. I'll justcarryyou.”
He kneeled down and slipped an arm each beneath her knees and shoulders. The man rose in one fluid movement. Isa felt like she weighed no more than air as her body drifted through the air, supported bystrongarms.
“What's your name?” she mumbled before she bubbled out of consciousnessagain.
The stranger paused for a moment before he said, “Adrian.”
Isa passed out then, just as Adrian was carrying her up the beach and away from thewater.
She woke up to the sound of machines beeping a short time later. There was an IV in her arm, and her stomach felt worse than ever. There were large bruises she hadn't noticed before covering her arms, and it hurt to move. The numbness wasn't there anymore, that was for sure.That wave really kickedmyass.
Adrian was sitting in a chair across from her on the right side of the bed. He gave her a reassuring smile, and she felt her insideswiggle
Not a great way to kick off a first date with a cute guy.Wait,what?
“Good news, you're going to be fine,” Adrian said, like Isa cared. “They pumped out the rest of the salt water. You’re dehydrated, but mostly okay. You should be able to gohomesoon.”
She coughed. “That's good, I guess. I hate to ask you, but do you mind giving me a ride home?” Isa didn't know why she trusted this random stranger, but she didnaturally.
“I don't have a car. I just carriedyouhere.”
“You carried me all the way from the beach to here?” What did this guy lift when he was working out, buildings? Who could be thatstrong?
“It wasn't that far. Besides, I don’t needacar.”
“Who doesn't need a car in Coral Bay?” she wondered aloud. It was a small town, and everything was farapart.
“I get around a different way.” He smiledagain.
Isamaria was struck by a sudden thought. “My longboard. I left it at the beach.”Shit.She ran a hand through her hair, certain it was gone now. Her surfboard was demolished too, all in onenight.
“I've got it, along with your stuff.” Adrian held it up, and nudged her backpack with his foot. “I went back and fetched it before youwokeup.”
Relief ran through her. Apparently, Adrian ran marathons, too. “Seriously, thank you. Do you go to FloridaState?”
“No. I'm not a college student.” He laughed, as if the idea wasfunny.
“Live around here?” she pressed, hoping it wasayes.
“Eh…” he rubbed the back of his neck, “notreally.”
So not a local, then… but definitely not a snowbird. Maybe he was from a different part ofFlorida.
“What were you doing out on the beach? I thought me and my friends were the only ones out there,”shesaid.
“Just visiting. I wasswimming.”
Swimming, last night? Inthatmess? He was crazier thanshewas.
Shelikedit.
Isa was so caught up in Adrian’s eyes she hadn't noticed that he’d gone quiet. His skin had changed color, taking on a slight grey tinge. Adrian almost looked… sick. “Are you okay?” she asked, realizing she was concerned for him and actually not bothered by her newfoundemotions.
“Yeah.” He made a pained face and stood up. “I'm sorry. I have to go. I would stay longer, if Icould.”
“You don’t have to do that.” This stranger probably had his own life. But on the inside, Isa wanted to beg himtostay.
“I would stay, if I could.” Adrian reached down. He took her hand delicately in his and gave it a squeeze, then bent down and brushed his lips over top of it, giving herakiss.
