She liked the way he asked. Simple. Truthful. No games. “Would you and Kelsey want to come to a beach picnic Friday?”
“Who will be there?”
“My friend Lea and her crew. Tino. Cousin Howie. It’s a traditional picnic before one of the surf competitions for the younger set. You can watch Kelsey surf and see her new moves.”
His face softened. “I’d love that.” He kissed her, then set his coffee on the table. “I’ll call you later.”
“You don’t have to.”
He stilled, gaze delving into hers. “I want to. There may be rules in place, but this isn’t just sex. Last night proved it.”
Chills raced down her spine. She was used to ducking big emotion to keep herself comfortable. Rowan assumed he’d do the same, but his words held stark truth. “Okay.”
His bottom lip twitched. “Good answer. Call you later.”
The screen door banged when he let himself out. Bagel cocked his head with inquiry.
Rowan groaned and leaned against the counter. “I know. I don’t know what I’m doing, okay? Give me a break.”
With a twitch of his nose, Bagel turned and mooned her.
She didn’t blame him.
Chapter Eighteen
Threes was already waking up when Rowan arrived. Soft morning light brushed gold over the break; the familiar chorus of locals ribbing each other from the lineup; the steady hush-boom rhythm of waves that never failed to loosen something tight in her chest.
She should’ve been exhausted after last night. But her body still hummed, warm and restless under her skin, and she’d shoved that entire swirl of trouble into a mental box labeledDeal With Later.
Today was for Kelsey.
The girl paddled out beside her with a confidence that hadn’t been there a week ago. Her lanky limbs had found rhythm; her pop-up was smoother; even her falls had purpose now. Rowan watched her paddle and felt it again—that ache of pride that made her throat burn.
“You ready?” Rowan asked, tapping her board as they floated beyond the inside section.
Kelsey pushed up on her elbows, scanning the horizon with an earnest intensity Rowan adored. “They look ... big.”
“They’re not big,” Rowan said gently. “They’re honest. They’ll tell you exactly what they’re going to do before they do it. But you have to watch. Not panic-watch. Real watch.”
Kelsey blew out a breath that wobbled. “Okay. Real watch.”
Rowan pointed with her chin. “See that crease out there? That’s a set starting to organize. Not yours. Too much power for today. But the one behind it? Look at how clean that face is. That’s a beginner’s dream.”
Kelsey nodded, shoulders squaring the way Everett’s did when he prepared for a battle. God help her, Rowan had noticed too much about that man last night. The way his voice went low and rough when he whispered her name. The way his hands mapped her hips like he was learning something sacred. The way he’d pushed inside her and owned every part.
Focus.She forced her attention back to the girl.
“Okay,” Rowan said. “Let’s practice reading the water. Tell me what you see.”
Kelsey peered out. “Um ... that bump? Is that a wave starting?”
“That bump out there? That’s the peak starting to lift. Not yours. Too punchy. See the next one forming behind it? That’s the sweet spot—clean shoulder, easy drop. Start watching for that.”
Kelsey squinted. Then her eyes widened. “Oh! There—there’s the rise, right?”
Rowan’s grin split wide. “Hell yes, that’s the rise. That’s your wave. Turn your board. Slow—no jerking. Good.”
Kelsey turned, and Rowan felt pride spike sharp and bright inside her.
