Page 50 of Matched

Jim stands and picks up his surfboard. “Gonna try to catch a few more waves before I get too hungry.”

“Yeah, I’m going to do the same.” Graves grabs his board and runs after Jim, who grunts a bit too loud before he picks up his pace.

My stomach rumbles, so I dig in my backpack for some tortilla chips and a container of fish ceviche my mother-in-law made. There’s nothing like eating fresh fish on the beach. The lime brings out the meatiness of the sole. She added huge chunks of avocado, which I love. I start dipping chips in and I don’t offer any to the other guys because it’s just too damn good. I get little bites of fresh garlic and red onion in each chip. There’s so much flavor in this ceviche my mouth can’t handle it.

As I’m shoveling chip after chip into my mouth, my gaze falls to a group of women walking with surfboards. Bear puts his hand over his eyes to block the light and glances over in the same direction before looking over at the food in my hand and his lips part just barely.

“Don’t think about asking. This is mine. I’m sure Marge made something for you.”

Bear snarls and starts digging around in his bag. He whips out a PB&J sandwich from its stained the plastic bag. I pick up another chip and bite into it slowly, adding a moan for good measure.

Craiger laughs, then turns his attention back to the group of women. While I’m admiring the surfers’ skills as they ride the waves, I spot Bear’s big hand reach over out of the corner of my eye. Before I can react he grabs a chunk of fish and tosses it into his mouth. Once he swallows he smiles wide. “You were right. Totally delicious.”

I grunt and move away from him so he doesn’t have another chance to steal any more. He scowls at his pathetic mashed sandwich while I eat like a king. Yes, in that moment, with a ring looming on my phone and a lunch made especially for me, I feel like a fucking king. Like anything’s possible.

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