Mano’s face turned bright red. “Y-you’re just making shit up!” he snapped, blinking rapidly. He shoved the door open and stormed out.
Ody followed right behind him. “Hey! Aren’t you going to help with the stuff?” he called.
Mano ignored him and headed toward the others. Ody let out a quiet laugh, watching the embarrassed retreat.
Steve and Christina checked the bags they had carried, making sure everything was there. They all settled onto the loungers. Mano, however, sat a little farther away by himself.
The others began undressing to go into the water, and Ranya walked over to Mano in her swimsuit. “Baby, are you coming in?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Oh, come on!” she said, reaching for his shirt and tugging it off.
“Hey! What are you doing?” he complained.
“Let’s go in!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet.
“Hold on, let me take off my shorts.” He pulled his hand back and slipped off his athletic shorts, Ody’s gaze lingering on him from a distance.
“We’re coming!” Ranya shouted as she dragged Mano toward the shore.
“The water’s perfect!” Christina called excitedly.
“Ahh! Something touched me!” Anna screamed, thrashing in the water.
“Calm down. It’s probably just a crab,” Steve teased.
“A crab?”
“Ody, come on in!” Antony called.
Ody stripped off the rest of his clothes, walked toward the water, and dove in headfirst.
Steve splashed him, and Ody splashed back. Within seconds Antony joined in, and the three of them were sending waves crashing in every direction.
“Hey!” Anna and Christina protested, retreating as the water hit them.
Mano stayed farther out on his own.
The boys finally stopped, laughing as they wiped their faces.
“You know you’re an idiot, right?” Anna said, swimming over and wrapping her arms around Ody.
“Do you want some too?” he teased.
“Don’t you dare!” she warned and he laughed.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving. I’m getting out,” Antony said, swimming toward shore.
“Same. I want those croissants!” Ranya called, swimming after him.
They all followed her out of the water. Except Mano.
Soon the group crowded around the bags, already digging through the food. “Mano, what are you doing? Come on!” Ranya called.
Everyone glanced toward the sea. “There won’t be anything left in five minutes. These girls are going to eat us alive,” Steve joked.
Mano finally headed out of the water. He grabbed his towel from the lounger, drying himself off while laughter and overlapping voices filled the air behind him as everyone fought over snacks.
