Page 32 of Lost In Someone

“Seven thirty.”

“Okay, be careful.”

“Always.”

I close my eyes and go back to sleep.

When I walk down the beach, I can’t see Ivan or any other boards out on the water. Near the rocks, a group of about six people are chatting and laughing. One of them is Ivan, his wetsuit down to his hips, the arms tied around his waist. Does he know them? Is he teaching them? The crowd disperses until it’s just Ivan and a tall, dark-haired woman. She runs her hand down his bare chest. Ivan tenses and takes a step back. I stop walking, my heart in my throat, waiting to see what he does. Could this be Kate coming back to claim him?

Ivan shakes his head and looks around. When he sees me, he visibly relaxes and smiles. The woman follows his gaze, and her earlier flirty expression turns into disappointment. Ivan strides to me, his long legs covering the space between us.

“Hi.” He pulls me to him. He smells of the sea and his shampoo, a scent I’m getting familiar with. “I’m done. Unless you want a go? The swell is down now, perfect for a beginner.”

Before I can turn him down, the woman snickers. Ivan lets his arms drop from around me. “Brodie, this is Emma. She’s been coming here for the last four or five years. She started as a complete beginner but has moved up to tackle the biggest waves.”

“It’s been six years, Ivan. I’m sure you remember.” She bats her eyelashes. I’m pretty sure they’ve hooked up in the past, and she seems to want to again, but my man is having none of it.

“It’s a no from me, for today anyway. I’ve got a class later.”

“You’re a teacher?” Emma asks me. “I bet the kids love you.”

“I’m a gym instructor.” I’m so ready to get the hell away from her.

“Oh, so you’re the hot instructor everyone’s talking about. Maybe I’ll come to a class while I’m here.”

I don’t like the vibe she’s giving off. She needs to get away from me and my man. “Sorry, but my classes are full, and I’m not doing any taster classes to assess your fitness.” I hold out my hand to Ivan. “Shall we go?”

Ivan takes my hand. “See you around, Emma.”

“Oh, I’m sure you will. It was good to meet my competition, Brodie.”

Ivan’s face hardens to an expression I haven’t seen before. “There’s no competition, Emma.”

We walk away, but I feel her eyes on my back as we get farther away from her. “She’s not going to give you up that easily, darling.”

“She can try all she likes. I’m not interested in anyone but you.”

Brodie is right. Emma shows up everywhere I am. She doesn’t seem to care when Brodie is with me. Her flirting is over the top, just like every year she’s here. I’ve always been friendly and enjoyed teaching her to surf, but it’s never been more than that. She’s a clingy one, and that’s not what I’ve ever looked for. Thankfully, Brodie is not taking her seriously and ignores her.

I squeeze past Stacey to get to my seat on the bench in our usual corner of the pub. “She has no shame. She keeps staring at you. I don’t know how you’re keeping your cool.”

“By ignoring her. She’ll get the message eventually. As long as she doesn’t annoy Brodie, I can deal.”

“Where’s Brodie anyway?” Stacey asks.

“He’ll be here soon. He was on a Zoom call with the architect designing the gym.”

“I hope he hurries up because Emma is on her way here.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I pick up my pint and take a long drink from it.

“Hello again, Ivan. On your own tonight? Doesn’t your latest fuck buddy know you have a short attention span? He shouldn’t leave you alone.” She tries to get past Stacey, but my friend won’t budge. Instead, she crosses her arms and glowers.

“Brodie knows he’s the only man I’m interested in.” I look away from her and towards the door just as it opens and my gorgeous man steps inside.

“Good job I’m a woman, then. I still stand a chance.” She laughs and tries to get past Stacey again. “Would you move? I’d like to sit down.”

“No, this is for town residents only.” Stacey holds her space.

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