Page 79 of Rum Sips and Salty Lips

We lie there for a moment, then I reach over to turn off the vibrator. “That was…” I start.

“Yeah,” she finishes. I kiss her neck. “You okay?” she asks, turning and brushing my hair away from my forehead.

“Yes. I missed you, that’s all,” I say.

“We spent last night together,” she counters.

“I know.” But it wasn’t enough.

“Your sister…” she starts. She thinks that was stressing me.

“We’re fine. She’s always been unexpected and energetic. I’m happy she’s here.”

But I can’t talk about my sister while I’m in Carina. I grip her hips and lift her off me. She makes a quick dash to the bathroom, and when she steps out we’re both dressed again.

“You barely mentioned her. I didn’t know if I overstepped,” she says.

“No, you’re fine. I came over to see if you’d come with us to Weeki Wachee tomorrow.”

Her eyes light up. “Of course. Have you been?”

“No, not yet. Brooklynn and Spencer want to paddleboard. I thought we could rent and then you can give them some tips.”

She shakes her head. “I own at least four boards. Two are inflatable. My board and your kayak can go on the roof. It’ll be easy. No need to rent.”

We spend a few minutes discussing logistics. Who’s buying what for the cooler. What time we’ll have to leave to attempt to beat the crowds.

If she’s anxious about spending the day with my family, she doesn’t show it. I hope at this point I know her well enough that I could tell.

twenty-nine

CARINA

When I wakein the morning, I reach for Orion. I should cut him loose now, before I start always reaching for him. He’s there for me if I need him now. But that can change.

At least I have today with him. I’m not ready to let him go yet. It likely doesn’t mean anything to him to have me around his family. He’s not careful or guarded like I am. I shouldn’t read into it.

I dress in a swimsuit, a pair of loose shorts, and a long-sleeved sun shirt. I take time to perfectly smooth my ponytail. It’ll get messed up later, but I want to have put in the effort. I don’t honor everything my parents taught me—my mother is horrified I leave the house in athletic wear instead of designer dresses. But she would be proud I take time with my hair, even if it’s a ponytail. I packed my bag last night, so I only have to toss in my face sunscreen after I apply it. Orion is right about hats—I should research making them. He’ll give me a hard time today, but I set a reminder on my phone to reapply sunscreen every two hours.

I text him to meet me at my garage so we can load the car. I back into the driveway and am in the process of lifting my hardboard to the roof rack when he appears with his kayak.

“Are you sure you don’t want to take my SUV?”

“This is fine. The rack is designed for both. Plus, hybrid. Less gas than yours.” He looks at me skeptically. We’ve fought about this before but I know what he’s doing. He’s feeling out my mood today. We work together to heave his craft on the roof and bicker the whole time. He thinks he knows the best way to secure them, but again, it’s my car and my rack. I know what I’m doing.

“It sounds like you two need coffee.” Brooklynn yawns. “Orion only has two travel mugs. Any chance you have more?”

“I do. Cabinet next to my fridge.” I gesture for her to enter the house. “The cooler is ready too.” Spencer follows her.

With his kayak secure, Orion turns to me. “Are we going to fight all day?”

I sigh. “I don’t know.” I’m not upset about the early morning or trying to make a good impression on his sister. I want to be closer to him than I’m letting myself, and I want him to hold me in his arms and kiss me.

And, frankly, I want to delay leaving twenty minutes so we can fuck. I’ve been imagining that future too much. One where things are easy. Where I open up to him and he stays to secure it all.

“We don’t have to fight,” he says.

We load the two inflatable boards into the trunk. We’re doing a final check for towels and waters when Orion does something incredibly stupid.

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