Page 34 of The Tides Between Us

I nodded.“He came back to see the turtle and got my phone number. We ended up running into each other one morning on the beach and went for breakfast.”

Harper’s elbows were propped on the table and her chin was resting on her hands as she waited for me to continue. Winter was leaning against the table, her eyes glued to my hands. I took a deep breath, glancing at my phone as it vibrated with a reminder that I had an unread message.

“Go on and answer him,” Winter insisted, pointing at my phone with a wink.

Exhaling deeply, I picked it up and opened my messages. I kept my face as straight as I possibly could, but it was hard when I saw his message.

Declan

I miss you.

I quickly typed out a response as warmth spilled into my veins.

Giana

You just saw me yesterday morning.

After setting my phone back down, I began to sign again.“He came back again to see Pop-Tart and surprised me by asking me on a date in sign language. He started taking private lessons to learn it.”

“Stop it,” Winter said while Harper squealed, “Oh my god,” at the same time. Both of their expressions were dreamy and I was waiting for hearts to start floating in their eyes.

“Did you go on a date?” Winter questioned me as my phone went off again.

Declan

That was a lifetime ago. I want to see you again.

I smiled at his message, not caring that Harper and Winter were both watching me with pure curiosity.

Giana

I’m out with Winter and Harper right now.

I directed my attention back to my friends.“We did. We went and got dinner.”

Harper stared at me. “Is that it? Nothing else happened?”

Was I supposed to kiss and tell? They were my best friends, after all. If there was anyone I was going to gossip with, it would be the two of them.

“He kissed me that night, but he wouldn’t come in. I don’t even know how to explain it or describe it. But it was amazing.”I paused, biting the inside of my cheek before blushing again.“That’s not it, though…”

“I don't even need to read those damn romance novels Wes keeps telling me to read,” Harper said as she took another sip of her drink. “There’s no way anything in those books can come close to this right now.”

I laughed silently, shaking my head at her. Another message came through and I quickly unlocked the screen to read Declan’s message.

Declan

Come see me after you’re done with them.

Giana

I didn’t drive here and I’ve been drinking.

Winter tapped her hand on the table in front of me to get my attention. I lifted my gaze from my phone, back to her and Harper. They were waiting. I needed to just spill it all now. “What does he want?”

“He wants me to come see him.”

Harper’s smile reached her eyes. “Girl, why are you still here?”

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