Page 29 of Body Shot

Driving with the top down, wind in our faces.

I could get used to this.

I could get used tohim.

I shouldn’t, but I could.

“I haven’t told anyone that story,” he says quietly. “I mean, people know there was a girlfriend and a break-up, but none of the details.”

“I won’t tell anyone,” I promise. “Not even Hana.”

“I appreciate that.” He pauses. “I really try to keep my private life private. I spend so much time in the sports news, just in general. Interviews and so on, I don’t want people to know everything about my personal life too.”

“That’s fair.”

“Okay, enough of that. Are you excited to learn to surf?”

I burst out laughing. “I’m good at many things. Probably more than most people. But sports isn’t one of them. I’m excited to be with you, to be on vacation, and that we’ll be at the beach with friends. Beyond that, I have zero expectations.”

“It’ll be fun,” he says. “And I’ll catch you if you fall.”

“It’s just water. I can swim.”

“Surfing isn’t much of a thing in Sweden, so I think it’ll be fun to try. And lessons from world champion surfers—who can say that?”

“Well, after today, I guess us.”

“And it’s cool, right?”

“If you say so.” I give him a playful look, and we laugh.

Why is it so easy with Anders when it’s literally never been easy with any other guy ever?

I don’t want to waste time worrying about it, and the drive up to Cocoa Beach is beautiful, so I focus on living in the moment.

“That’s Johan’s truck, so they’re already here,” he says as he parks. “And that’s Felix’s.”

“Who else will be here? From the team, I mean.”

“I know Jordan is coming, and I think Cam and Sutton. I’m not sure about anyone else. It’s an adults-only event—they did a kids’ event a few weeks ago—so that eliminates some of the group.”

“It’s nice to have adult events sometimes. I think the world is very child-centric sometimes. And I love kids. Believe me, I’m better with kids than adults. But there’s a time and a place for everything, and sometimes I want adult conversation, adult beverages, all the adult stuff.”

“Absolutely. My sister has two kids and they’re great. I spend half the summer with them. But then some days I go off with friends or by myself because you need a break.”

“Hey, you two!” Hana waves and comes hurrying over to us. “Are you ready to surf?”

“Why is everyone asking that?” I demand with a laugh. “You know I’m not athletic.”

“They promised it’ll be easy.”

“We’ll see.” I put my things down and look around. “What’s the plan?”

“I’ll go sign us in,” Anders says. “Be right back.”

He ambles off toward the store, which is just over the boardwalk from the beach, and I cock my head.

“So. What happened with Felix?”

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