“True,” I concede, “but we never had the money.”
“Exactly. And it seems that Chase has more money than sense. Let him spoil you.”
“I don’t see how we can be compatible. His wardrobe costs more than my car. His boat is worth more than my mom’s house. I don’t know.” I don’t see how this, whatever it is, can go very far.
“Ohmigod, Liv,” Brenda says.
“Right now, I want to relax and get rid of the anxiety I had all through lunch.”
The next morning, the sun is shining bright. I want to make sure I look presentable for my date with Chase later. I mean, I think it’s a date. I grab my beach stuff and head down the walk.
I settle in to my chair with my ear buds in and relax. The last thing I remember is listening to Skylar Grey singing about telling the world she’s coming home. It’s a very soothing song, and I must have dozed off.
I open my eyes to find Chase staring at me. He is sitting beside me on a towel smiling his slow sexy smile that makes me tingle. “Good morning, sleeping beauty,” he murmurs.
“Hi,” I whisper stunned. “How long have you been sitting there?”
“Long enough.” His dazzling smile melts my heart.
“What are you doing out so early?” I ask, beguiled.
“I was about to head out on my paddleboard. Would you care to join me?”
He is so sweet. “Oh, I’ve never been on one of those.” I’m a good swimmer, but I tend to panic when I’m in the ocean. I think I’ve watched Jaws one too many times.
“It’s easy, I’ll show you.” He extends a hand.
“Um . . . I . . . um.” I can’t think of a good enough reason not to go. He leans down and grabs my hand, yanking me up. Throws me over his shoulder and heads down to the water.
“Put me down,” I squeal in embarrassment.
“Not until we’re in the water,” he chuckles. Now he has me laughing.
“Please . . . I’ll get in . . . I promise,” I say between giggles. He slides me down from his shoulder so that he is holding me in his arms. I throw my arms around the back of his neck and hold on tight.
“Now what fun would that be?” His eyes are filled with mirth. He walks into the surf and heads straight for a wave. Still hanging on for dear life, I see that I’ve lost this battle. He jumps the wave with me in his arms and then sinks us into the cold water. “That was fun,” he says laughing.
I don’t see the humor in it. I’m freezing.
“Are you done?” My voice is laced with sarcasm.
“Yes, I’m sorry. You need to be wet. This way when you fall in it won’t be such a shock.”
“Fall in?” My apprehension is back in full force.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” he murmurs. “Stay here, I’ll get the board.” He wades back to shore and grabs the board and the paddle. It’s a good thing the waves are calm this morning or this would be a bad idea.
He brings the board over and places the paddle on top. “Okay, climb on.” He motions to the board. I wade over to the board and lift myself up. He gets on behind me. I’m sitting, too intimidated to stand. He sits behind me, swinging his legs to either side of the board and starts to paddle away from shore.
“Where are you going?”
“The waves are smaller away from shore,” he states. Once he’s satisfied with the distance, he leans in toward my ear. “Time to stand.”
I’m frozen in place. I can’t move. “I can’t.” All I can hear in my head is the Jaws theme. Duh-duh-du-du-du-du.
“It’s okay, I’ve got you,” he says calmly. He stands up behind me. I spin so I am facing him and give him my hand. He slowly pulls me up and puts his hands on my waist to steady me. “Okay, now turn around.” I comply until I am facing forward. He still has his hands on my hips.