Page 16 of Below the Barrel

I bite my lip as punishment for even thinking that, for letting Koa sneak his way back into my thoughts. My eyes find him, surrounded by the rest of the female surfers who are twirling strands of their hair while they look up at him flirtatiously. I frown at them, annoyed that they even think they have a chance with him.

Koa has higher standards than that.

I look up at Koa to see if he’s enjoying the attention, but I never expected to find his eyes staring back at me. Chills rack through my body as I hold his gaze, my face and chest growing warm. Why is he still able to get this physical reaction out of me?

“Are you cold? You have, how do you say, chicken skin?”

I turn to look at Charles with a confused expression.

“Pardon?”

“In France, we call itchair de poule. I think that translates to chicken skin.” He grabs onto my arm and points at my goosebumps. “It’s bumpy, like a plucked chicken’s skin.”

I stare at him, blink twice, and gently pull my arm out of his grip.

“I’m fine. I’m going to go get a closer look at some of these animals, I’ll see you at the winery for dinner.”

I give him a small wave, ignoring the confusion on his face, as I walk away from the group and toward the wooded Brushtail Possum enclosure. I squint as I peer into the enclosure trying to find one, but all I see is dense foliage and large tree hollows. Ilet out a sigh as I rest my forehead against the fence, my mind replaying two words on repeat.

Sweet dreams.

"Did you know that brushtail possums can rotate their back feet nearly one hundred eighty degrees?"

I glance up and it feels like the world freezes when my eyes meet Koa’s. He’s smiling down at me mischievously before looking back toward the Possum enclosure.

“So fascinating,” he whispers to himself.

I swallow nervously before forcing myself to look back toward the deserted area.

“I didn’t know you were so knowledgeable about possums,” I mutter.

He chuckles before pointing at an information sign in front of me that states interesting facts about the species, including how their back feet rotate. I roll my eyes before shooting him a glare which only causes his smile to grow. I stare at his smile, dazzled by it. It’s rare to see Koa smile and I hadn’t realized how much I missed it.

You’re digging your own grave, Maliah.

I tear my eyes away, focusing on where the possums should be, but a slight movement in the branches above catches my attention. I watch, fascinated, as a creature with thick, grey fur makes its way down a tree trunk, back feet rotated, and bushy tail trailing behind it. It slowly and carefully makes its way to a feeding station and gently picks up fresh fruit with its small paws.

“Well, would you look at that,” Koa says gently, his eyes tracking the possums’ movements.

“Why are you here, Koa?”

He looks at me again, shrugging. “Same reason as you; it’s required of me.”

“No,” I shake my head, “why are you here, next to me, instead of with the rest of the group?”

Instead of with the other girls,is what I really want to say, but I bite back the words.

It’s not my place to get jealous anymore.

“I could ask you the same,” he says, glancing over his shoulder as he eyes Charles who is standing apart from the rest of the group and watching us with an expression full of envy.

“I just needed some space to think,” I mutter, returning my attention to the hungry possum.

“About?”

“You,” I say before I can stop myself.

He shifts on his feet, turning to face me as he leans his shoulder against the fence.

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