“Do you guys want to take my car or walk?” She looks at me and adds, “The beach is about four or five blocks from here.”
“I’m good with whatever,” Graham says, “though walking would probably be better with my board.”
They look at me and I know the decision is mine. “We can walk,” I say, feeling the tightness in my chest start at the thought of getting into a vehicle with people I barely know. “I don’t mind.”
“Okay!” Raquel takes off and Graham and I fall into line behind her. She seems like a happy-go-lucky kind of girl and part of me is jealous of that.
I used to be like that but life has a way of knocking you down sometimes.
“How was the rest of your shift?” I ask them as we walk.
“Not bad,” Graham says. “I stayed busy. Helps the time go by quicker.”
“Honestly, your aunt could afford to hire a few more people,” Raquel says. “I love Beth, don’t get me wrong, but she could use more help. She needs a general manager that’s not her.”
I nod. Shecoulduse more employees and give herself a bit of a break sometimes.
“I did make pretty good money in tips, though,” Raquel adds. “So, at least my rent’s paid.”
“Nice. What about you, Graham?”
“Graham doesn’t have to stress about rent.” Raquel turns and grins at Graham.
“I still live at home,” he says, shuffling his surfboard to his other arm. “I help my mom out, so it just makes sense.”
“Have you always lived here?” I ask.
He nods again.
“The weather is gorgeous today,” Raquel says, breaking up the conversation. “It’s going to be a great beach day.”
She’s right. It’s sunny and seventy-five, near perfect beach conditions.
We reach the beach and the two of them take off across the sand. I struggle to keep up with them, my feet sinking into the sand with each step. There are families scattered all along the coast, no doubt the beginning of peak season for Driftbay. We find a spot away from most of the crowd and start to set up camp. Graham secures theumbrella for us while Raquel strips off her clothes, revealing her black bikini.
I shrug off my shorts and T-shirt and reach for the sunscreen in my bag. I slather my arms and legs in it and am just starting on my neck and face when I hear Graham say, “Here.”
I open my eyes and look at him; his hand is outstretched and he’s waiting for the bottle. I hand it to him cautiously.
“Turn around, I’ll get your back.” He squirts some of the sunscreen into his hands as I turn around.
“Thanks,” I say timidly, feeling goosebumps prickle my skin as his hands work over my back.
His fingers linger a second too long on my skin before he hands me back the bottle of sunscreen.
“Good to go,” he says.
“Thanks,” I repeat, unsure of what to make of this interaction. I notice Raquel giving us a sly smile.
Graham picks up his surfboard and heads out into the water to take it for a spin. I grab my sunglasses from my bag and put them on as Raquel leans down to smooth out her beach towel. A neon green frisbee comes flying out of nowhere and hits me right in the neck.
I’m coughing and sputtering as the frisbee hits the ground at our feet.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” Raquel asks. “Who would even do that?” She looks around the beach to find the perpetrator.
I nod as I keep coughing, my hand to my throat.
“I’m sorry.”
