It was quite busy, even for after lunch. Adrian and Isa stood in line, Isa hiding behind her orange, plasticsunglasses.
“I’ve never been here before, and I’ve lived here all my life,” Isa saidquizzically.
“It’s Coral Bay’s best secret,” Adrian said. “Watch.You’llsee.”
When they got up to the window, Adrian ordered them two dinners. The food came out in round baskets, nestled in that day’s newspaper. It contained a pound of crab each, steaming and red, with a large cup of butter and tongs for snapping. The sides included homemade coleslaw, a big hunk of cornbread, and collard greens. Adrian never liked collard greens, but here, they were mixed with bacon and dipped with— you guessed it, more butter— so these were a favoritetreat.
Two root beers in the bottle were placed on the table. “Nothing like drinking a cold one on the beach during a nice day,” Adrian said, and he popped the cap. As he took a swig he saw Isa crack open a crab leg. She devoured the juicy middle, and her facemelted.
“Emm,” she mumbled, and she rolled her eyes back. “This issogood.”
“Told you it was incredible.” Adrian started in on his own meal, and they ate while watching the waves roll in. Two little kids played by the beach, and their parents closely watched as laughter from the surrounding tables matched the sound of the ocean. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It was truly aperfectday.
“Enjoying yourself?” Adrian asked happily. It’d only been minutes, but Isa had devoured most of her mealalready.”
“Yes.” Isa struggled to talk around a full mouth before swallowing. “This is incredible. I’ve never had anything like this. At least, not in alongtime.”
“What do you mean?” Adrian took a bite of cornbread and raised aneyebrow.
“Me and my dad used to do this, come to tiny seaside shacks like this. Our favorite place to eat was on the beach.” She gave a tiny sigh. “That doesn’t happenanymore.”
“Sorry.” He frowned. “My dad and I used to do this a lot, too. But I guess he’s toobusynow.”
“Parents get too busy for their kids once they stop being cute.” Isa shrugged. “Ithappens.”
“You obviously like crab,” Adriansuggested.
“I enjoy eating seafood. It’s my favorite. But lately, all my dad brings home is fast food.” She looked down at her basket. “I shouldn’t complain. But it’s gettingreallyold.”
The conversation had turned too sobering, so Adrian picked up their finished baskets and threw them away. “Come on,” he said, and he extended a hand to her. “Let’s go forawalk.”
Isa gave his hand a wary stare before slowly slipping her own intoit. “Okay.”
Adrian had only meant to pull her up, but before he knew what was happening, they were walking onshore holding hands. Isa didn’t pull away though, just kept her hand in his as they strolled along theshoreline.
Adrian wanted this to be more than just magic. He wanted Isa to like him for him, not just because the mating bond forced her to. It took all his will to pull his arm away, buthedid.
“So,” he started. “Been surfing since thatnight?”
Isa laughed. “No. My friends would kill me if I tried. But I’ve been saving up money to get a new board. I want to get back out on the waves as soon aspossible.”
“That fall didn’tscareyou?”
“Not at all.” Her eyes were flashing. “I’m addicted to surfing. Can’t get enough. I’ve won a lot of trophies. Not to brag or anything, but I’ve been on a board since before I could walk. My dadtaughtme.”
“Your dad soundsprettycool.”
“He… was pretty cool.” Isa trailed off. “Then he got old. And obsessed withhisjob.”
“What doeshedo?”
“He’s in the Navy.” Isa bent down to pick up a shell. “But that means he never tells meanything.”
Isa brushed off the shell. She stared at it in her cupped hands, and Adrian thought how pretty it would look inherhair.
Isa chucked the shell back into the sea. “School and studying are my life right now. That, along with working at the aquarium, and on my uncle’s tour boat, keeps me busy. Whataboutyou?”
“I have a lot of free time. I like exploring. I collect things, usually stuff people don’t want. My friend Moona calls it junk.” Helaughed.
