Page 16 of Kayak Girl
As he drew closer, a smile unfurled on my lips unbidden. There was something about him that never failed to draw a smile from me, no matter my mood.
“Where’d you get the kayak?” I asked, as I stood up, brushing sand from my swimming shorts.
Gray set the kayak down with a soft thud. “Borrowed it from a lifeguard friend, Ivan. I have my own at home, but… car trouble and everything.” His words trailed off, a hint of frustration in his tone.
The mention of his Jeep made me cringe.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said, with a casual shrug. “I know I chose the starting point, but I’d love for you to take the lead with this paddle. It will be fun to experience it through your eyes and see which direction you choose.”
“Ah, I was looking forward to a tour guide.”
“Okay, I’ll lead us out and you bring us home?”
“Sounds good. Let’s get moving. I hope you’ve eaten, because I’ve got at least three hours of paddling in my tank.”
Chapter 12
GRAY
The minute Elle directed her welcome smile at me, I realized I was in trouble. Okay, maybe it was when I invited myself on her kayak trip. But the allure of witnessing Elle, in her element on the water, proved irresistible. It was this very thing that had first ignited my fascination with her. Never had a woman captivated me so thoroughly. All my well-laid plans of maintaining a prudent distance seemed to dissolve into nothingness in her presence. Oh man.
Settling into our kayaks, the lapping of the river against the hulls blended with the distant calls of Lowcountry birds. We set off, moving upstream. Elle paddled just ahead of me as I called out directions. I’d navigated these waters numerous times, yet the splendor of our surroundings fascinated me anew as I saw it through her eyes. The verdant banks of the river seemed more lush and alive than ever, the sunlight danced more playfully as it filtered through the leaves of the trees, and the river itself sparkled with a clarity I hadn’t noticed before.
Even though I’d seen her kayaking on Saturday, I was again struck by her strength and grace. The way she navigated the currents, her every movement in sync with the rhythm of the river, it was more than just skill—it was a dance with nature, and I was an awestruck spectator. Her presence, her way of seeing the world, it changed the river for me. It was as if I was experiencing this familiar journey for the first time, with a fresh perspective that only she could bring.
“It’s clear you rock at kayaking,” I said, my voice carrying over the water. “Last night you mentioned blogging about it. Does that mean it’s your job?”
Elle’s paddle dipped gently into the water, creating a small whirlpool as she glanced over her shoulder. “No, it’s just a hobby. I am trained as a preschool teacher. But I majored in English, so I’m also a copywriter. I write copy for several kayak companies and earn some cash through affiliated marketing on my blog and Instagram page. It’s been my side hustle for years, but while I’m on the road, it will be my sole income. I’m not earning loads, though. It’s part of why I decided to stay at the hostel. I didn’t budget for expensive beach accommodation. But yeah, before this I used to teach. I’m not sure what I will do after this year of travel.”
At her mention of her life back home, I wondered if she was in a relationship. I wasn’t sure how to ask her about that without giving her the wrong impression. Instead, I asked, “Do you paddle with anyone back home, or is it a solo hobby?”
“Yeah, I used to paddle with a friend, Tom. But after he found a girlfriend, we didn’t paddle together anymore. Then I got used to solo paddles and haven’t tried to find a permanent paddle buddy again.”
Good on you, Tom. Many happy returns on your relationship. Seizing the moment, I tentatively said, “So, no Mr. Kayak in your life then?”
Elle paused, and I instantly regretted my boldness. She glanced back, her eyes searching mine, perhaps gauging my intentions. I put my oar across my lap and raised my hands in defense. “Whoa, no need to answer. I meant nothing by that question. Only trying to figure you out.”
“Nope. No, Mr. Kayak. I wouldn’t travel the coast for a year and leave a partner behind. It wouldn’t be fair. Besides, I don’t have the emotional capacity for something serious right now. No relationships this year. It’s a rule,” she said, her voice firm yet gentle.
Her response was both a relief and a pang of something akin to disappointment. I wasn’t sure why the latter emotion surfaced—after all, I wasn’t pursuing anything romantic with her. Or was I? It was confusing. Well, at least now I knew where we stood.
“It’s a wise rule,” I said, and tried to temper the bitterness in my voice before I continued, “Long-distance relationships can be dangerous. People can lie too easily when they’re miles away.”
“Ouch. It sounds like you’re speaking from experience,” she said, slowing her pace to move alongside me.
“Guilty,” I said, sighing at the painful memories.
“I’m sorry,” she said, and I could feel the empathy radiating from her.
“It was a long time ago, so it’s no longer as painful. It helped me create my own rule, though. No dating tourists.”
Elle’s lips curved into a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Oh really?” Her voice was light, teasing, yet there was an undercurrent of something more. “Well, if we both have rules, then we can definitely be friends.”
The word ‘friends’ hung in the air between us, a safe label, yet it felt like a veil thinly concealing the truth. I could feel my heart tugging me in a direction I’d sworn off, but I masked it with a casual nod. “I’d like that,” I said, and it was true, but there was more, so much more I wanted too.
“What do you do for a living?” Elle asked, changing the subject.
I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck as I pondered the best way to describe my unconventional occupation. “Well, I have an Airbnb business. It started with just one garden cottage five years ago, and now I’m the proud owner of several properties. The business pretty much operates on its own these days. I’ve got a rental manager who handles almost everything.”
