Page 15 of Liberty

Chapter Six

Cooper

I woke up feeling good.

I was exhausted, but after Libby had kissed me like that, it was hard not to smile.

I got up and put my trunks on. I loved surfing as the sun came up; the beach was always quiet, and the few guys I surfed with were always out then. It was a great way to start the day.

I went down and retrieved my board from the equipment shed. The other guys were already out, but that’s not what caught my eye.

Libby was sitting on the beach.

She was in her pajamas still, sitting on a towel and watching the sunrise.

She looked gorgeous in the golden light.

I approached her, holding my hand up in greeting. “Hey. How’s the new room?”

She looked up and smiled. “Oh, hi. It’s really great, actually. I’m gonna go back up soon, but I want a few more minutes here, first. I like watching the sun come up.”

I nodded. “That’s why I like coming out to surf this early. It’s so quiet out.”

She nodded. “It’s really peaceful. And I like the gulls.”

That made me chuckle. “They’re bastards when you’re around them every day. But they are funny.”

Libby laughed. “I think they’re kinda cute.”

I shrugged. “I’ll take your word for it, I guess.” I paused, then smiled down at her. “Have you ever gone surfing?”

Slowly, she shook her head. “I’m not, uh, the sportiest girl out there.”

“You don’t have to be sporty. How’s your balance?”

“Mediocre, at best.”

She had a quick wit. I liked it.

“Okay, well, how about this—I’ve got a free spot in my lessons today. At seven. As the sun starts to set. You want it? No charge.”

Libby hesitated. “I…um…”

“Please? I’d hate to have an empty spot in my schedule go to waste.”

She sighed. “Okay. I’ll surf with you.”

“Great. Meet me here at seven?”

“Seven, got it.”

I nodded. “Well. I’m gonna go catch some waves. See you tonight?”

“See you.”

As I turned to jog down the beach, I could feel her watching me.

It was a good feeling.

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