Page 36 of Something Blue

He kept his arm around her as they dropped into the water and moved the parasail to the side.

She shook in his arms as they bobbed in the silent sea. “Everything will be fine.”

Sadie jumped away from him, kicking him in the thigh as she pushed off. “Something touched me.”

“Really? Are you sure?” He looked around them, getting closer to her again. It took everything he had not to laugh. He brushed his toe against her leg again and bit back laughter as she screeched and whipped her head around as she searched the water.

“See, there it was again.”

He couldn’t help smiling, then and stretched his foot out a third time and tapped her leg.

“Why are you laughing? Something is definitely here.”

Andy couldn’t hold it in any longer. He lifted his foot from the water and tapped her shoulder with his toe.

She opened her mouth in surprise. “You? You did that? What were you thinking? I was so scared!” She splashed him, and he gave her a devious smile.

“Are you starting something with me?”

She splashed him again. “I think you’re the one who started it, playing tootsies with me in the water.”

They started splashing each other and didn’t notice when the boat stopped near them.

“Hey, you two lovebirds wanna stay in there all day?”

Andy looked up and nodded. “Be right there.”

He took Sadie’s hand and headed toward the boat, dragging their heavy load behind them until they were unhooked from the harnesses. By the time the two of them had climbed the ladder on the side, unlatched themselves from the equipment, and taken a well-deserved seat, they were exhausted.

Sadie leaned back against the bench. “I didn’t realize how tiring swimming could be. When we get back to the beach, I think I’ll be ready for lunch and a nap.”

After the boat started up again and the next couple jumped off, Andy leaned back next to Sadie. He was all too aware of how close she was. Her eyes closed against the sun as they bumped against the waves. He smiled as her ponytail flew against her face, showing a lot more curls than he’d noticed the previous night. She really was beautiful. The thought of her hair getting completely curly again excited him.

Her head started to tilt forward, bobbing around as she drifted to sleep. As he held in a laugh, he brought her to him, resting her head against his shoulder. A whiff of strawberry shampoo, coconut sunscreen, and salt wafted past his nose as she curled into him even more. His heart sped up as he lifted his arm around her to hold her more securely.

Content, he completely relaxed against the seat and closed his eyes, enjoying every sensation he was feeling. There was no doubt he felt something for Sadie, but telling her was sure to wreck it all.

16

Sadie

Sometime later, Sadie peeked at the sun. It wasn’t as bright as it had been when she’d closed her eyes, but she was immediately dazed. Andy’s cheek brushed against hers, making her alert. She sat upright and looked around.

The boat had stopped completely, and everyone was grabbing their things and swimming back to shore. Andy leaned against the side of the boat with his eyes still closed, looking so peaceful. She felt bad waking him. He’d been sweet all day, but especially when they’d been up in the air, and he’d taken her fingers in his and rubbed them when her nerves fluttered about the final drop. She’d been falling with him and for him in the same second, and the feeling had stayed with her as they’d snuggled against each other on the boat.

Before she could rouse him, a lady reached out and tapped her shoulder.

“I think this is yours,” she said, handing a phone to Sadie.

Sadie’s eyes widened. That could’ve been bad! “Yes it is. Thank you! I didn’t realize I’d dropped it.”

The woman’s cheeks reddened. “I actually took it when I saw it on your lap. You two looked too cute not to capture the moment.”

She stowed her phone back in its water safe bag for a more private viewing and thanked the woman again. Since he excelled at the fake engagement game, she needed to avoid scaring him away with her budding feelings.

Andy stirred and blinked against the sun. “Are we here?” His legs seemed a little wobbly as he followed her off the boat.

The chest-deep water cooled her, and she took a dip once or twice to cool her head before they strolled back to the resort. They both stayed quiet, only sighing as they made it back to their chairs.

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