Page 61 of Beyond The Break

We burst out laughing and join her on the floor, tapping our cups together before we drink from our cups. It doesn’t take many refills before my legs feel numb and I can’t stop smiling.

“Do you guys think Zale is hot?” Kairi asks, slurring her words slightly.

Maliah chokes on her sparkling wine. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just ask us that.”

“Not all of us were lucky enough to grab the hottest guy in town.” Kairi shoves Mal’s shoulder playfully.

“Well, he’s up for grabs if you want him.” She flips a section of blond hair over her shoulder and investigates her cup as if it’s the most interesting thing in the world.

“It’s a mystery how you’re so oblivious,” Kairi says, shaking her head side to side in disbelief. “Koa hasn’t been up for grabs since he first laid eyes on you.”

Maliah scoffs. “Yeah, okay,” she, brings her cup to her red lips and takes a big sip, but I don’t miss the hurt in her eyes.

“I’m so glad I’m not blindly in love,” Kairi says, watching Maliah.

“I amnotin love with Koa.”

“I hate to break it to you, but not loving someone and being afraid to love someone are not the same thing.” Kairi tips the bottle to her lips, drinking the last few drops.

Maliah clears her throat and stands up. “Let’s get to the party, shall we?”

“Where’s Griffin?”I ask as we pile into the team van, Zale behind the wheel.

“He’s already at the boat getting it ready for us.” Koa replies, his eyes darkening as they travel over Maliah.

She pretends not to notice, but I see a small smile appear as she stares out of the window. I shake my head smiling and try my best not to look at him as he practically undresses her with his eyes.

The drive to Griffin’s boat only takes us ten minutes. Hemeets us at the dock, eyes grazing over my body with appreciation before they land on my eyes. I give him a small smile, which he returns, before he guides us to his large boat at the end of the dock.

“You could live on this thing,” Kairi exclaims as she looks around.

“He actually can, there’s a bedroom and a bathroom downstairs,” Zale mumbles.

We all take our seats while Griffin takes the stairs up to the command room. The girls and I giggle as the boat begins departing and the wind blows our hair around.

Ten minutes into the boat ride, I leave the others on the main deck and climb up the stairs where I find Griffin steering the boat.

“Hi,” I say as I come to stand beside him.

“Hey, stranger,” he bumps my shoulder with his.

“This is a nice boat.”

“Thank you,” he wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me in for a gentle kiss.

“Sorry for being so distant this last week,” I mumble against his soft lips.

He chuckles, returning his attention to the expanse of ocean in front of us “I figured you just needed some time.”

I nod. “Thank you for giving it to me, instead of pushing.”

With a smile, he looks at me before pulling me in front of him and bringing my arms up to the ship’s wheel.

“Have you ever steered a ship?” he asks, his warm breath tickling my ear.

“I can’t say that I have.” I giggle.

“Well, I’m honored that mine is the first.”

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