Page 95 of Ride the Wave

‘All of the above,’ he says, a knowing smile creeping across his lips, ‘and nights like these.’

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‘…and nights like these.’

All Sunday morning, his words float through my mind countless times, distracting me from every task and making my heart thrum with happiness. Four simple words that I can’t shake. The image of him smiling at me and saying that replays over and over and over in my head. I feel like I’m practically skipping around the village. He’s literally putting a spring in my step.

I think I’m in trouble here.

Saturday was an unforgettable night, but it didn’t quite end the way I’d hoped – Leo didn’t stay the night. When he got up to leave and made it clear that he was heading home, I was stunned, and the fear began to creep in. What had I said or done to prompt him to want to leave? It’s not like he could have been confused as to whether I was up for it; we’d already had the most amazing sex a couple of nights earlier, and surely the kiss we had on his arrival could confirm for both of us what we wanted.

He must have read the concern in my expression as he put his hands on my hips and pulled me towards him, before his lips brushed against mine, and explained, ‘It’s our first proper date. I want to be chivalrous.’

I’m ashamed to admit, I deepened the kiss and pressed my body against his, murmuring, ‘Screw chivalry’, but despite the smile it drew from his lips, he resisted my efforts and stubbornly insisted on going home. Watching him in disbelief head down the stairs from my doorway, I was tempted to shout out a reminder that we only had a week to enjoy each other’s company, but despite him leaving me in a state of frustration, I managed to retain some dignity and stop myself from doing so.

I woke up early Sunday to a message from him letting me know he was surfing Burgau, so I got ready and made my way down to the beach in time to see him heading into the water with Marina and a group of fellow surfers, some of whom I recognised from the party. He’d paddled out with them before he glanced back on the beach to see me, lifting his hand to wave. I waved back and even though I was far away, I swear I could see him break into a grin. Maybe I was seeing what I wanted to see.

It was different, watching him surf with this group, compared to his other training sessions. This one didn’t actually seem like a training session at all. I could hear their laughter floating across the waves back to me on the beach as they chatted out there together, and I noticed Leo point and gesture at Marina, encouraging her to catch a good wave that was coming in. None of them in the group were out here for themselves; they were sharing a passion, exchanging advice – from their cheers and whoops, I could hear the amount of enjoyment they got from watching their friends surf well.

It reminded me of that video I found of Leo and Ethan Anderson surfing as teenagers, before competitions got so serious and the success got in the way. It made me hope that this upcoming trip to Australia would be healing for Leo, not just in surfing Bells Beach again, but also seeing those from the surfing community out there again.

Before they were rivals, they were friends.

I left the beach before they came in, dropping in on my local coffee shop again – ‘Olá, Iris! I’ll get you coffee for your work. You’ll write well today because of me!’ – and then going straight back to the flat to work.

After a while, a welcome message distracts me:

Leo

Where did you go?

I had to write. I got some ideas

Leo

There I go inspiring you again

How do you know it wasn’t your surf buddies that inspired me?

Leo

You trying to make me jealous?

My heart somersaulting, I smile broadly. Leaving my laptop open on the balcony table, I stand up to wander into the lounge, flopping down on the sofa and clasping my phone in my hands like it’s the most precious item in the world.

I start typing a reply.

It did work out well for me last time

Leo

Even better for me. What are you doing tonight?

Are you hoping for a second date?

Leo

Yes

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