Page 11 of Summer with a Player

"Whipped cream, in and of itself, doesn't hold any inherent spiritual properties," Elle replies cautiously. "However, I suppose one could argue that using it to indulge in sensual pleasures might help open up new paths of emotional connection."

"Wow, you're really good at this, Lavender," I say, genuinely impressed by how she answers my nonsense questions. "Okay, how about the body paint? Is there anything mystical about expressing oneself through art on the skin?"

"Actually, there is," Elle responds, sounding more confident now. "Throughout history, many cultures have used body painting as a form of spiritual expression and communication. It can be a powerful way to connect with one's inner self and with others."

"See? I knew there was something deep here," I tease. "Last question: do you think these... certain topics have helped us connect?"

"Perhaps," Elle admits. "We've talked through some unique ideas. It's been… an unusual experience."

"Unusual, but memorable," I say, my tone sincere. "And maybe it's time we drop the pretense, Elle. I know it's you on the other end of this line. You're not just a psychic; you know I met you on the beach. I’m Asher."

There's a long pause before Elle finally speaks again. "Yes, Asher, it's me. I didn't know how to tell you, but now that you know..."

"Elle," I say, taking a deep breath in and letting it out. "Why don't we meet up again? In person, this time. I'd really like to take you out on a real date."

Another pause. I can almost hear her chewing on her thumb's nail as she considers my proposal. Finally, she speaks up.

"Okay, Asher," she agrees but still sounds reluctant. "Let's give it a try. A real date."

"Perfect," I say. "How about Giancarlo's in Love Beach tomorrow night? You know, that Italian restaurant on the beach? We can grab some food and talk about anything other than psychic readings and erotic oils."

"Yes, that would be great," Elle says with a soft chuckle. "I'll see you there."

"No, I’ll pick you up like a gentleman would. Say, 7pm?" I reply, knowing that I must first focus on tomorrow afternoon’s hockey game. My team is counting on me, and I can't let them down.

“Okay, but meet me at the entrance sign to the community, and we can walk to the restaurant from there,” she replies.

“Looking forward to it. Have a good night, Elle,” I say. With that, I disconnect the line, lay back on my bed, close my eyes, and wait for my dream state to take over because I know it will be consumed by fantasies of Elle.

Chapter 6

Elle

The low lighting at Giancarlo's makes Asher’s green eyes sparkle as he laughs at one of my terrible jokes.

"Okay, okay," he says, catching his breath. "I'm sorry, but that was awful. It's so bad it's good."

I shrug playfully and take a sip of my strawberry daiquiri. "Yeah, well, not everyone can have a top-notch sense of humor like mine."

"Clearly," Asher replies, grinning. "We should celebrate surviving terribly hilarious jokes more often."

"Agreed," I say, feeling happy. Being around Asher seems to make me forget about my worries.

As we finish our dinner and drinks, neither of us wants the night to end, so we decide to take a walk at Love Point Pier & Boardwalk. The full moon lights our path as we stroll down the end of the pier. Waves lap against both the shore and the pier’s beams, making a rhythmic sound that surrounds us.

"Elle," he says, resting his forearms on the railing and looking over at me with a sweet smile. "To me, these past two times that we’ve hung out, it feels like you're holding back something. Like, what’s the one thing that will let me know who the true Elle is?"

I hesitate, wondering if I should share the truth with him. There's something in his eyes that tells me he'll understand. "My parents died when I was young. I had to grow up fast and learn to rely on myself. Letting people in just never seemed worth the risk."

"Wow, I'm sorry," Asher says softly and guides a wandering lock of hair behind my ear. "I can't believe we have that in common. My parents died when I was young too. It's been tough, but I think it's made me stronger in a lot of ways."

"Maybe," I admit. "There’s not too many people out there that can understand what I've been through."

"Elle, I do. I completely understand," he assures me, his voice gentle yet strong.

"After my parents passed away, I was taken in by my grandparents. They were amazing people. But even with their guidance, there's always been this part of me that felt... incomplete."

"I know what you mean," I say, realizing just how similar our experiences have been. "I've spent most of my life feeling like I don't quite fit. Like there's something missing."

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