Page 22 of While We Waited

Paisley and Maya help me to stand. Sophia’s eyes widen when I’m upright. “Too bad Hudson isn’t here. He couldn’t resist you if he saw you in this outfit. I think I have boob-envy.”

I feel my cheeks heat. Hudson did enjoy playing with my breasts the night we spent together. I shiver as I recall his mouth on me giving me pleasure. For a man who hates me, he sure knows how to give a girl an orgasm.

“Hudson is not interested in me.” Truth. “And I’m not interested in him.” Lie. Embarrassing but true. I want the man who can’t stand me.

Maya snorts. “Sure, you aren’t.”

“Nova, hurry up!” Chloe hollers from where she’s already standing at the starting line, twirling a rope in her hands.

I try following her but my breasts bounce and nearly escape my bikini top. I never should have let my friends talk me into wearing a bikini. I should have worn my one-piece racing swimsuit. At least it has a bit of support for my breasts.

“There’s no way I can hop over there.”

Paisley studies me as she circles me. “We should have brought a cart dolly.”

I’m not offended. She doesn’t mean anything personal with her comment. She’s merely computing the easiest way to get me to the starting line in her big brain.

“I’ll help.” Maya circles my waist with her arm and steadies me as I begin hopping to the starting line.

“We are totally gonna win this,” Chloe says when we reach her.

I giggle. “My performance thus far is less than inspiring.”

“Once you’re in the water you’ll be fine.” She attaches the rope to my right arm before attaching the other end to her left arm.

The rope is about two feet long and stretches.

“You better not drown me.”

“Don’t worry. My handsome husband will save us.” She nods to where the police and paramedics are gathered. Lucas notices her and she waves. He shakes his head in response.

“Where’s Natalia?”

“She’s at the beach with her friends since theMermaid Lagoon Racesare strictly adult.”

“Contestants enter the water!” Sloane yells over a megaphone.

We grasp hands and make our way into the water. Chloe is more graceful than me. But then again, she always appears more graceful. I blame her long, lean body.

“On your mark, get set, swim like a mermaid.”

I dive into the water with Chloe beside me. I swim as fast as I can while tied to another human being and wearing a mermaid tail. Although, the tail helps. Huh. Maybe I should buy one of these.

“Go Chloe! Go Nova!”

I glance to the right at the cheering and notice Sophia has pompoms she’s using to cheer us on. Why am I not surprised she has pompoms? Maya and Paisley don’t have any but they’re cheering as well.

“Almost there,” Chloe says and I return my attention to the swim.

The finish line is close. I push my legs a bit harder and Chloe falls behind. The rope pulls tight but I keep going. I can drag her if I need to. She doesn’t weigh anything.

We cross the finish line and cheers erupt. We did it. We won.

Sophia, Maya, and Paisley rush into the water toward us.

“You did it!” Sophia shouts.

I lay on my back as I struggle to catch my breath while Paisley unties us.

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