Once, she’d been exactly like that. But her father taught her to surf, and from then on, she always felt like she was enough. The ache built in her throat, but there was nothing to do to clear it.
“I’d like to but probably not a good idea.”
“Do you know how to swim?” Tino asked.
“Oh, yeah, I’m a great swimmer.”
“Are you afraid of the waves? Sharks? Being tossed around like you’re in a washing machine?”
Rowan stared at her boss like he’d been possessed. “Tino! Don’t scare her!”
Kelsey looked serious as she met his gaze head-on. “No. I love body crashing the waves back home. Jones Beach and the Jersey Shore make you tough. They’re not nice.”
Tino laughed with delight. “I can imagine. It would be a disservice not to try. Rowan was a champion surfer and would be a wonderful teacher.”
Irritation rippled. “I’m not a teacher. I’m retired.”
Kelsey glanced back and forth and bit her red lip. “Um, sorry I asked. It was stupid. Rowan’s too good to be teaching me—I’m pretty clumsy.” Cheeks flushed, she turned. “I better go and I’ll—”
Bagel took the opportunity to hop madly through the open door, down the steps, and pose in front of Kelsey.
The girl gasped. “Oh my God, is this Bagel?”
“That’s him.”
“He’s so adorbs! He’s amazing—look at his tail and his nose, and how he hops.” She dropped to her knees, breathless with her admiration. “You have the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen! What a good bunny you are!”
Rowan waited for her companion to hop away or give that little strange growl he did to freak out strangers. He simply didn’t care forpeople out of his circle, but he had no aggressive tendencies, so she felt comfortable having him at the store. “Kels, don’t be offended, but Bagel isn’t great with ...”
She trailed off and stared in surprise. The rabbit had pushed his furry body against Kelsey like he was a stuffed animal wanting to be brought home. Her gasp of pleasure and the way she pet him while lavishing compliments hit Rowan like a sucker punch.
She’d forgotten how Bagel had eased her awful loneliness after losing Dad. Watching the girl bloom at the animal’s quiet attention made her throat tighten.
“It seems Bagel has a new fan,” Tino said.
Rowan watched the exchange with an inner sigh. The universe was definitely throwing her a sneaker wave. “Guess he does.” Her lip twitched with a smile.
“Well, any friend of Bagel’s is a friend of mine. Would you like to hang out today with us? Maybe Rowan has time to teach you a few board basics.”
Hackles up, Rowan almost snapped at her friend, but Kelsey’s face brightened. Bagel snuggled into her as if sensing her loneliness. “I’d love to! Unless Rowan’s too busy? I don’t want to be a problem.”
Crap.No way could she send her away now. Rowan decided to compromise. “There’s a sunset party happening later. You’re welcome to come. But I can’t show you how to surf. Sorry.”
She ignored Tino’s heavy stare. Kelsey didn’t seem to notice. “That’s totally fine! I’d love to help with setup, or the store—put me to work.”
Rowan glanced at her pretty clothes and overdone face. “We’re pretty chill around here. No need to be anything but yourself on our island.”
Kelsey wrinkled her nose and looked down. “Yeah, I’m so used to New York. If you don’t have the designer stuff or look together, you’ll get ripped apart. I wasn’t really sure how to make friends around here.”
“You already did,” Tino said.
Kelsey smiled. The ice lodged in Rowan’s chest for the past year melted just a bit—like an iceberg softening from the sunlight peeking through the clouds. “Lose the shoes, put your hair in a pony, and slather on some sunscreen. You can grab one of the T-shirts from the shelves so you’re more comfortable. Oh, and text your dad so he knows where you are.”
“Thanks, Rowan.”
Bagel’s ear twitched. Then he hopped away, leading his new friend toward the store. Kelsey happily followed.
“Tino?”
