Page 21 of Beneath the Surface

“Ohreally? Yeah, put him on the line, please.”

“Sure thing. Hold on.” Kannon held the phone out to Nisha. “Brett wants to talk to you for a second.”

Nisha crossed the living area and took the phone from Kannon. “Thanks.”

Kannon grabbed another beer and slipped outside so Nisha and Brett could talk privately.

Nisha joined Kannon outside. He returned Kannon’s cell phone and held a fresh beer. “Here you go.” Nisha sat down on the lounger and crossed his ankles as he took a sip of his beer. “Brett said to tell you they’re also going to get in the water.”

Kannon grimaced. “If by water he means the pool at the resort then that’s cool. If not, then we have a problem. No way am I getting in the ocean, and especially not at night.” The thought made him shiver. Of course, that day fifteen years ago had been bright and sunny.

“I know you’re afraid of it, but they plan to go swimming.”

Kannon shook his head. “Then I’ll just sit by the fire.”

“But we walked in the waves just today.”

Nisha just didn’t get it. “Yeah, and it didn’t come past my ankles. I’m not getting in the ocean, Nisha.”

“Okay, okay. You and I can sit by the fire and eat all the chocolate while they’re swimming. How’s that sound?”

“Sounds devious.” He was relieved Nisha let it drop. “I love it.”

AN HOUR later he found himself on the beach, admiring an ocean-side stone fire pit. White Adirondack chairs set around the fire. On a small white table next to one of the chairs sat graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. A cooler sat on the sand with a picnic basket alongside it. Close by, strategically placed tiki torches flickered as they casted shadows.

The ocean presented a perfect backdrop to an enchanting and romantic set-up. Brooke sat in one of the chairs, dressed in cutoff blue jean shorts and her bikini bathing suit top. Brett wore swim trunks. He and Nisha wore the same swim trunks they’d had on earlier.

“Hey, you guys, glad to see you could make it.” Brett used a long stick to stir up the coals. “Anybody hungry?”

Brooke opened the cooler sitting by her feet. “We have beer, wine coolers, plain water, and sodas if you’re thirsty.”

Nisha sat down next to Brooke and peered into the cooler. “Think I’ll take a water.” Brooke handed Nisha his drink. “Thanks. And yeah, I’m hungry.”

“Me too,” Kannon said. “Do you have Coke?”

“Yup,” said Brooke.

“I’ll take one of those, then.” Kannon took the drink from Brooke. “Mmm, good and cold. Thanks.”

“Now that everyone has a drink, let’s get on with hot dog roasting.” Brett put the long stick down by his chair. From one of the empty chairs around the fire pit, he picked up a hot dog roasting fork. “Here you go.” He handed one to Nisha with a flourish.

“How much you had to drink?” Nisha laughed. “And thanks.”

“You’re welcome. And nothing. Well, nothing alcoholic.” Brett handed the other roasting fork to Kannon.

“Thanks,” Kannon said.

“I got the hot dogs,” Brooke said, waving the package. “Buns are in the picnic basket along with paper plates and chips. Let me get those out too.”

Kannon took the package and got a hot dog out for him and Nisha. After they were skewered onto the roasting forks, they each claimed an empty chair next to one other.

“I forgot to bring the mustard.” Frowning, Brooke poked around in the picnic basket.

“It’s not a big deal,” said Kannon. “I like mine plain, anyway. Besides, I’m here for the chocolate, you know?”

“You want chocolate on your hot dog?” Nisha joked.

“Oh ha-ha. Everyone wants to be a comedian. We got the stuff to makes’mores, man,” Kannon declared dramatically, waving his hands at the goodies next to Brooke. “The rest of this stuff is just frills.”

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