Page 51 of Sharkbait
“High praise, Cold Brew.”
“Yeah, well, Cold Brew is a bit of a slow burn when it comes to getting to know people, I guess.”
“That’s alright. I’m not going anywhere.” He starts adjusting his gear and making his way toward the entrance to the shark tank. “Just don’t go thinking now you’re being nice to me and we’re technically co-workers that I’m going to sleep with you here at the aquarium.”
I know we’re the only two people up here right now, but that doesn’t stop me from whipping my head around to make sure, then whisper-yelling, “Um. Who said anything about having sex here at the aquarium?”
“Not me,” he winks. “Get your mind out of the gutter, girl.”
I follow him toward the tank and keep my voice low. “It’s not my mind I’m worried about, caveman. FYI—you know, in case you decide to hook up with anyone else here—my brother lost his job at the Natural History Museum this summer for getting down on company grounds. I’d advise against it.”
“Ralph? Really? Seems like such a straitlaced guy. Well, cheers and condolences to him! But I assure you, making love to you on museum property is the last thing on my mind right now.”
So why am I suddenly thinking about it so much?
He gets in the water and leans his arms on the edge, his twinkling brown eyes tipped up to me.
I kneel on the rubber flooring right in front of him.
We’re so close now that anyone who walks in would know something is going on between us.
“‘Making love?’” I whisper. “Is that what you think we did inyour refrigerator this summer?” I get even closer. “News flash, fella. That wasn’t making love. That was fucking.”
“Agreed,” he whispers back. “But if I’m ever lucky enough to find myself in that situation with you again? I assure you, we’ll be making love.”
With that, he pulls on his mask and disappears under the water.
Oh boy.
I am in so much trouble.
Chapter Twelve
James
"I assure you, we’ll bemaking love?” Wally repeats my words through the phone. “You really said that to her?”
“I did!” I shake my head in shame. “What am I, some schmaltzy soap opera dude?”
I squint toward the ocean where Eva and Iris are putting the finishing touches on our epic sandcastle while I make some quick business calls back home. At least that’s what I’m supposed to be doing. Instead, I’m being mercilessly mocked by my best friend.
“I have known you more than half my life, and I’ve never heard you say something so corny.”
“Believe me, I know.” I slide my sunglasses on. “Wall, this girl does something to me. I’m a fucking mess around her. I say all this stupid shit, like I can’t stop running my mouth whenever she’s near me.”
“Well, you’ve always been a talker.”
“True, but this is a whole other level.” My mind flashes back to that first night in the bar. “Oh, I almost forgot this insanity. The night we met?”
“You mean the night you boinked?”
“Did you seriously just say boinked?”
He snorts. “I did.”
“A guy who says boinked has no right calling me corny. Dude, you used to be my classy friend. What’s happening to you?”
Wally laughs. “I don’t know, man. Mabel unleashes my silly,I guess. Anyway, boinked is just a fun word to say, isn‘t it?”
