Page 82 of Changing Tides

“That’s it.”

“You were naked and soapy in the shower, but he was a perfect gentleman?”

“Yes.”

“Well, that story was anticlimactic,” she says.

“Him apologizing and me forgiving him was the climax,” I exclaim.

“Oh, sweetie, I was hoping for a much more satisfying climax than that. I bet you were too.”

“It was sweet,” I insist.

“Uh-huh.”

“I’m here. Got to go,” I say.

“Call me when you guys get home tonight and give me all the details,” she demands.

“You know I will.”

“Smooches,” she says before clicking off the line.

While we were at The Point last night, Sebastian asked Leia if he could take both of us on a date this evening, so I agreedto take the rest of Glenna’s early morning shifts this week if she would cover for me so I could leave early today.

Ida Mae has Leia waiting on the porch, and she takes off running as soon as she spots me pulling into the driveway. I meet her halfway, and she is vibrating with anticipation.

“Are you excited to get ready for our date?” I ask.

“Yes!”

I lead us inside, and I let her pick out her outfit. Sebastian didn’t say where we were going; he just told us to dress comfortably.

She picks out a pair of black leggings with blue butterflies, a light-blue tunic with a matching headband, and her navy-blue slip-on flats. I decide to match her in a pair of black leggings, a white tank top, and a gauzy duster. I pull my hair over my left shoulder and braid it. Top it with a black wide-brimmed hat and slip into a pair of ballet flats.

Then, I paint her nails and swipe her lips with sheer pink lip gloss.

She is giddy when Sebastian arrives to pick us up with a red rose for each of us.

He takes a left onto the Westside Bridge that leads off the island.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“Carolina Beach,” he says.

I don’t ask why he’d take us to a different beach. Instead, I decide to just sit back and enjoy the evening.

Leia fills the forty-five-minute drive with chatter about her day, but when we pull up to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk andshe lays eyes on the brightly lit Ferris wheel, her eyes go wide, and all chatter stops.

Sebastian guides us up the wooden path that leads to the park, bustling with people.

There are street food vendors, carnival games, an arcade, and colorful amusement rides, including the Ferris wheel and carousel.

Sebastian is so patient as he waits in every line with Leia while I snap a zillion photos with my phone.

She chooses a pizza food truck for dinner, and we take a seat at a table with our paper plates and Coke slushies.

I take a bite of the pizza and moan.

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