Page 25 of Keeping London (Flawed Heart)

“All right. I’m going to run across the street to one of the stores. I’ll be back,” Loïc says to us.

“You go for it, babe. We’ll be here, relaxing and enjoying our beach day.” I smile lazily and lie back on the blanket.

“You two have great chemistry,” Georgia says to me after Loïc’s left.

“You think?”

“Yeah, totally. I can see why you’re so enamored with him.”

“I really love him, George. I feel in my heart that he’s the one, you know?”

“I see that, and you’re probably right. I can picture you marrying him.”

“I’m going to—someday. I just know it, but I’m in no rush. So, what’s up with this Ben guy?”

Georgia laughs beside me. “Oh, we’re just friends with benefits, nothing more.”

My sister and I chat and soak in the incredible California sun.

I’ve missed her. It’s hard being on the other side of the country from her, but I guess that’s what happens when people grow up. I’m so grateful I’ve had this long weekend with her, especially since she’s been able to meet and hang out with Loïc before he heads overseas.

All at once, I’m shrouded in shadow, and I open my eyes to find Loïc standing beside me with a gigantic grin and two large surfboards.

“Hell no,” I argue before he has a chance to say a word.

He tosses a wet suit onto my lap. “Suit up, baby.”

“Loïc,” I whine more than is probably acceptable for someone my age. But I don’t care. That water is cold, and the thought of going in it does not make me happy. “Are you serious?”

“Yep, we’re doing this. Come on, it will be fun.”

“Are you incapable of just relaxing?” I huff out.

“Babe, we can’t come to Cali and not take advantage of the waves.”

“Um, I beg to differ. Plus, I can’t surf.”

“I’ll teach you.”

“You can surf?” I tilt my head to the side.

“Of course.”

“Jeez, is there anything you can’t do?” I chuckle.

Loïc doesn’t answer, but seriously, the guy is like an outdoor-sports-enthusiast master. I stand reluctantly and grab the wet suit.

“Before you put that on, let’s practice on the beach.” Loïc starts to walk away.

I shoot my sister a save-me glare, to which she only laughs, and I hesitantly follow Loïc.

Loïc lays our boards flat on the sand. “Before we take it to the water, you need to practice getting up on your board. You can get the technique down perfectly on land so that it won’t be as difficult when you’re out in the water.”

“Okay.”

Loïc proceeds to show me the steps to getting up on the board, and I practice—a lot.

Standing on the board with my hands out to the sides, I pretend I’m on the water. “I totally got this!” I giggle, proud of myself.

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