Page 23 of Diving In

Breakfast withCal.The thought alone released a dozen butterflies inside my belly, and it took everything in me to keep my cool as I got dressed, pretending this was all perfectly normal.

As my reflection stared back at me in the bathroom mirror, I did my best to salvage my waves that had a hefty amount of dry shampoo in them. I threw on a smidge of makeup—some foundation, blush, highlighter, and a whisp of mascara. That was as good as it was going to get on such short notice.

I was bounding down the stairs in less than ten minutes, and I grinned to myself, thinking that was quick, even for me.

Cal’s flawless smile greeted me at the bottom of the stairs, nibbling on a chocolate chip cookie. “A woman true to her word. I’ll take it,” he said. “Also, these are the best damn cookies I’ve ever tasted.”

A smile took over my face, and I ducked my head, feeling shy.

Cal strolled toward the front door, opening it and then standing back to let me go through first. I saw as he reached into his pocket to retrieve his keys, but I had something else in mind.

Yesterday, on my way into the house, I’d spotted a rack lined with pastel-colored bikes with large baskets perched on the front of them. Instead of following Cal, I veered left and walked right up to the light blue one.

“Um, do you have something against cars?” Cal asked, motioning toward his Jeep.

“Not necessarily. I’d just prefer to get my daily dose of Vitamin D.” I beamed.

“Or is it that you just like to be the one calling the shots?” he asked.

I peered in his direction, alarmed at how accurately he’d read me, but he revealed nothing. Instead, he said, “I guess I’m getting my daily dose of Vitamin D too.”

I signaled to the row of bikes that laid next to me. “Take your pick,” I urged.

He landed on the yellow bike, the color complementing his skin tone quite nicely.

“Go ahead then, Cal, take control.” I raised my eyebrow. “Lead the way.”

His eyes flashed to mine and I held his unwavering gaze. If he could play this game, then so could I.

“Don’t tempt me,” he mumbled under his breath.

I took in our surroundings on the way, and before I knew it, we were pulling up to the coffee shop four minutes later.

As we walked in, I was surprised to find a very modern and trendy coffee shop—not something that Sullivan’s Island was known for—and thankfully not too many people in line. Sullivan’s Island was made up of small mom-and-pop shops that were decorated with washed-up beach décor, layers of old paint slapped on the outside, and handmade furniture that somehow lasted for years.

This place though… This place felt like it had been copy and pasted from a corner in New York City.

“Hey, Cal! Table for two?” the hostess asked, beaming at him with her best grin.

Cal had always caught the eye of every female in his vicinity. He simply couldn’t be ignored.

“Please,” he responded. “How’s your dad? Let him know I’d be happy to take him out on the boat if he’s still looking for someone.”

“I’m sure he’d love that. I’ll let him know,” she stated as she dropped two menus on the table.

“Thank you!” I said.

“Ashley will be your server, but can I get you started with a coffee?” she asked, refusing to take her eyes off of Cal.

“Georgia?” Cal signaled in my direction. “Wait, let me guess…” He cocked his eyebrow. “Black?”

Shit, even my damn coffee order was predictable. I had to be the most boring person Cal had ever been around. It never used to bother me that I made smart, predictable choices, but for some reason, I found myself wanting to impress Cal. I’d thought I was leaving a little more to the imagination, but I’d clearly failed.

I looked at him, defeat plastered across my face as I gave him a little nod.

“I’ll take a black coffee as well,” he told her.

“Two black coffees, coming right up.”

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