Page 7 of Curves and Waves

We stood there for a moment, the air thick with tension and unsaid words.

"Jake's going to freak," I said finally.

Zoe winced. "Yeah, probably.”

I ran a hand through my hair. Jake was my best friend. He deserved to know. On the other? "Maybe we should wait," I said. "Figure out what this is between us first."

She nodded slowly. "Maybe. I mean, this could just be a vacation fling, or something that we are just getting caught up in all of a sudden.”

The uncertainty in her voice made my chest ache. I took her hand, bringing it to my lips. "Zoe, I've been half in love with you for years. This is not a fling for me. But if you want to take things slow, figure it out as we go, then I'm okay with that."

“I'd like that," she said softly.

I pulled her into a hug. She just fit perfectly against me. We stood like that for a long moment, just holding each other.

Finally, Zoe pulled back. "So, about that dinner invitation?"

I grinned. "Changed your mind?"

"Well, I am feeling a bit peckish. And I hear the steakhouse is pretty good."

"Is that so?" I teased. "And I suppose you'd like some company?"

She pretended to consider it. "I suppose I could tolerate your presence. For the sake of good food."

I laughed, pulling her in for a quick kiss. "You're too kind. Give me five minutes to let Jake know we are both going to join him now.” I didn’t need to call my friend, but I needed five minutes to process what had just happened between us.

Zoe nodded, shooing me into the main section of the suite. “Go call my brother. I’ll put on something else to wear then.”

"Yes ma'am," I saluted, backing out of the room.

My mind raced with the events of the last half hour. Zoe loved me. I'd kissed Zoe. Multiple times. And now we were going on what was essentially our first date. That also potentially included her brother.

Five minutes later, Zoe came out of her room, and my breath caught. She'd changed into a simple black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places.

"Wow," I managed. "You look amazing."

Zoe blushed, smoothing down the front of her dress. "Thanks. You clean up pretty well yourself."

I offered her my arm. "Shall we?"

As we made our way to the steakhouse, I couldn't help but notice the looks we were getting. I saw the appreciative glances thrown her way, and the confused looks when people noticed our height difference. I'd never really thought about how much shorter Zoe was than me. But now, with her tucked against my side, it was obvious. I found myself wanting to pick her up again, to feel her wrapped around me like she had been in her cabin.

"Earth to Caleb," Zoe's voice broke through my thoughts. "You in there?"

I blinked, realizing we'd reached the restaurant. "Sorry, just thinking."

She raised an eyebrow. "About?"

I leaned down, my lips brushing her ear. "About how much I want to kiss you right now."

Zoe shivered, her hand tightening on my arm. "Behave," she whispered. "We're in public, and about to meet up with Jake."

"Nope. Jake said he didn’t want to wait for us, he’s gone to the casino, so you, shortcake, are all mine tonight.” I said, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed and wondered how quickly we could finish our meal.

Chapter 4: Zoe

Dinner was torture. Delicious, tantalizing torture.

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