Page 151 of Tides That Bind

After I slip into Riley’s office to change into my wet suit, I wait by the door before coming out, making sure The Shack is empty before I grab the tandem board from its spot in the corner, dragging it up the front because it’s so long and heavier than I care to admit. Lucas's and Finn’s voices sound from the side of the shop as I make my way to the front doors, reaching to flip the latch free so I can slide them open.

“Wait a second.”

Riley reaches down to share some of the weight of the board with me.

“We got this.”

I smile because I believe him.

“Do you see them?”

Riley lifts his neck. “No. Must still be working on the kite.”

I lean forward, pressing my folded legs into a stretch. “I mean, if we wait for them to finish, we might be here a while.”

“Harper.”

I turn my head, coming face-to-face with Riley who gently holds onto the board I sit on.

“What?”

“I’m going to tell you a secret.” Riley leans forward before whispering, “It doesn’t have to be perfect. It can be a bit messyor off balance and still be really great. You and me here right now? It’s really fucking great.”

I take a deep breath, but my exhale leaves a smile. Because Riley and me, we’re messy. We’re finding our new balance.

And he’s right, we’re really great.

Riley presses a kiss to my bare knee. “Don’t be afraid of falling, alright?”

I laugh. “Are you going to catch me this time?”

“I’ll try my best.”

His simple words put my heart at ease.

“Ready?”

I look up at the still relatively empty beach. “They’re not out front.”

Riley lifts his neck, letting out a whistle that pierces my ears.

“You’re going to need that for Tides.” I squeeze his hand. Because Riley believes in me offshore. I want him to know I believe in him on shore too.

I don’t want to linger too long on Riley’s grin, the one that cuts dimples so deep into his cheeks, I see the shape of them beneath his light beard. But I do linger. Just one more look, just one more second. Just one more memory to hold on to. I know, from experience, you never can have enough.

We both turn our attention to the shore when Lucas's small voice calls out for me and I sit straight up, watching Finn lift him onto his shoulders, recognizing Caroline’s dark red hair come into view as she jogs out onto the beach.

“Ready? Perfect set for this coming our way.”

I nod and turn over onto my stomach, sliding up toward the nose of the board as Riley climbs on behind me.

Riley’s hand gives my side a gentle squeeze before it falls in sync paddling with my own. “Let’s show that kid how you can do anything.”

All Riley and I manage to show Lucas on our first try is that sometimes you fall.

We show that on the second time too.

But the third time turns out to be the charm.

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