Page 18 of Chasing Stars
A king-size bed sits centered against the wall with nightstands on either side. Miles must have cleaned up for me. No man’s room looks this neat. It smells of lemon Pledge and cologne. There’s a tall dresser, a mirror hanging on the wall, and a desk. There’s no TV in here and I find it low-key sexy that he can’t be bothered to watch TV in the bedroom. The bed is made with a white down comforter and sage green sheets. A dog bed sits in one corner and in the other, a hamper, full to the brim with men’s clothes. I sit on the edge of the bed, smiling up at him. “Are you always this neat?” I marvel.
Miles lets out a little gasp, like I called him out on his secret. He rocks back and forth on his heels, something I’ve discovered to be a nervous tick of his. “I might’ve cleaned up for you.” He chuckles, scraping his hand along his jaw. “I definitely changed the sheets, too. Just so you know.”
“Noted and appreciated.” I beam.
We stare at each other for only a few moments, but it feels much longer. I imagine hopping off his bed and into his arms. He’d catch me and hoist me up, my legs curling around his waist as he cups my jaw and kisses me hungrily, like I’ve never been kissed before. I’d run my fingers through his wavy brown hair and tip my head back, so he could kiss my neck, letting out a little groan as he hardens beneath me. But that doesn’t happen, and I am embarrassed when he disrupts my lustful fantasy.God, it has been too damn long.
“Jenna,” Miles says, a teasing note in his voice that makes me feel exposed.
I blink, realizing he must’ve said my name more than once. “Sorry—what?” I shake my head to play it off but my grimace betrays me. He can’t possibly know what I was just thinking but I’m self-conscious anyway.
Miles laughs and shakes his head. “I was asking… Do you want to learn to surf?”
8
MILES
Idon’t even know why that came out of my mouth. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been surfing since I met Jenna. Maybe it’s the warm air that makes me nostalgic for summer. Suddenly, I can’t wait to get back in the water. The ocean in New Jersey is often still very warm in October, but when Jenna hesitates, I quickly add, “I have a wet suit that will fit you.” I can’t hide the hope on my face or the rasp in my voice, and I’m sure she notices.
“Okay.” Jenna shrugs, chewing on her lip. “Yeah. Why not? I’m a strong swimmer—how hard could it be?” But she sounds like she’s trying to convince herself.
I nod and walk toward my closet, rummaging through the back for Erin’s old wet suit. It should definitely fit Jenna, but I debate whether to tell her whose it is. In the end, it’s better to be honest—what do I have to hide? Finally, I find it and turn around so she can see. I clear my throat. “This was my ex-wife’s. She left it here when things…well, you know.” I scratch my chin and look down at the floor.
Jenna’s grin falters and she licks her lips.. “I get it. It’s fine.” She shifts, looking away from me. “I, um… I don’t have a bathingsuit to wear under it, though.” She scrunches up her nose as she meets my eyes.
I meet her gaze and then stifle a chuckle so she doesn’t feel silly. “You don’t need one,” I tell her, my mouth twitching with amusement.
“I don’t?” she asks, furrowing her brow. “But I thought…” She pauses. “I’m just naked under it?” Her cheeks turn a shade of pink that does something to my insides. She fiddles with her hands.
“Yep. Naked underneath.” I exhale, a low whistle escaping. I turn away from her so as not to embarrass her further. And to clear the visual permeating my mind. Jenna. Naked. Under a tight-fitting wet suit.Fuck.
“Okay.” Jenna nods. “I’ll go get changed.” She strides over, taking the wet suit from me, and heads right for the bathroom.
“Yep. I’ll do the same,” I say, but she doesn’t hear me.God I’m fucked.It’s maybe the first time in my life that I actuallyhopethe ocean is cold.
After stoppingfor a slice of pizza, it’s nearly two o’clock. I take Jenna down to The Cove. It’s the perfect spot for beginners and often quieter than some of the other surfing beaches. This is the beach I have surfed all my life, and it’s also the spot where my life was saved when I was fifteen. I don’t tell Jenna—I don’t want to freak her out before she’s even in the water. But this place has always been special to me. Year after year, summer after summer, The Cove remains. The same surfers and families show up, hang out, trade boards, and teach the youngins’ how it’s done. It’s where I learned to surf and it’s the perfect spot to teach Jenna.
I pull into the small parking lot and kill the engine, turning to face her. “You ready?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.
Jenna wipes her palms on her thighs and meets my gaze, exhaling slowly. “As I’ll ever be, I guess.”
“Hey, it’s not too crowded,” I point out. It’s midweek in October so it’s exactly what I expected. Usually, the same regulars surf before or after work and that’s about it. Cape May isn’t known for its surfing, so the surf community appreciates any waves we can get. I gesture out the windshield at the small waves breaking on shore. “It’s actually pretty flat today. Perfect for learning.”
Jenna nods, but she doesn’t look any more confident. She chews on her lip, making no move to get out of the car.
“You said you’re a strong swimmer, right?” I ask, giving her an encouraging smile.
She nods. “Yes. I took swim lessons for all of my childhood, then I was on swim teams in my teens. My dad was an elite college swimmer.” She swallows hard. “Okay, let’s do it,” she says, throwing open her car door. “It’s now or never.” She shoots me a tentative smile.
“You’ll be fine,” I promise, following her lead and taking down my seven-foot longboard off the roof rack.
“I hope you’re right.”
Once we’re downon the sand, I start with the absolute basics. I lay the board flat and crouch down next to it, pulling out my wax stick and rubbing it on the board’s surface.
“What’s that for?” Jenna asks, kneeling next to me.
“This is wax. It keeps the board from getting too slippery, so you have traction.” I glance over at her.
