Chapter 14
Chloe
It’s 5:47 a.m., and I’ve been tossing and turning for the last hour. The practical side of my brain is at war with my emotions. All of my adult life, I have been guided by logic. The pragmatic thing to do is to take Bronson’s job offer. If it’s that simple, why am I so gutted?
I close my eyes and inhale deeply. Then I blow the air out, willing the tension in my head to release. It’s no use, though. I’m never going to go back to sleep. Crawling out of bed, I open the door to my balcony, overlooking the ocean.
I relax onto an Adirondack chair and wrap myself in a blanket. It’s dark, but I smell the salty air and hear the waves gently rolling in. This should be the soundtrack to peace and tranquility but instead reminds me of Leo, which brings on a surge of adrenaline. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him, but it’s only been a few days. Why is it so hard for me to walk away?
Shouldn’t I be excited about this new job? I’ll be rubbing shoulders regularly with Bronson Campbell. A month ago, I would have sang karaoke, on stage, in front of people—my number one fear—if it meant working with him. Now, I don’t feel that same attraction. Don’t get me wrong, he”s still as handsome as ever. He’s polished and suave. Everything from his suit jackets to his wing-tipped shoes are impeccably procured.
Leo, on the other hand, has a ruggedness about him. On the surface, we’re from different worlds. I’m used to business attire, and he wears board shorts. I have academic smarts, he has street smarts. I think I’m starting to understand why opposites attract. There’s something fun and mysterious about someone who is so different than me. We have complementing strengths.
Most of all though, Leo isn’t just an idea. He’s real. His thoughtful, caring heart is wrapped up in an exceptionally attractive package and the bow is his gorgeous man bun. I think I sensed disappointment when I told him I was going to take the job in Colorado…
I click my phone screen and scroll to the favorites album. That’s where the selfie of Leo and I lives. Gosh I love that man’s smile. His tan skin and golden-retriever energy radiate from the picture. I’m crazy to walk away from him, right?
The battle rages between the old Chloe, and the new Chloe blooming. Which one do I want to be? A smile cracks through as I think about our surf lesson. I was terrible at doing the pop up, but he was so encouraging. I really want to go for it…I want to actually get in the water and try surfing.
On YouTube, I search for “beginner surf lessons.” Clicking on the first one, I watch the instructor demonstrate ‘the four’ technique that Leo taught me. I turn up the volume and prop my phone onto my knees.
The instructor continues, “When you’re ready to get in the water, remember your sweet spot. This is important to avoid nose diving and to find balance when paddling. It takes some practice, especially on a new board.”
I pause the video and sit up. I need to hear that again, so I rewind and tap play. Listening to it a second time, the words that first caught my attention feel like life-giving rain in a drought. I need to see Leo.