Chapter 15
Leo
Ipull my hair into a bun then grab my surfboard. Chloe texted me at 6:30 a.m. exactly. I was excited to see her message at first, but then, my happiness faded as I remembered she’s leaving in a few days.
In her text she asked if I’d meet her at the beach this morning for a surf lesson. I was planning on surfing today anyway, but I was hoping it would help me clear my head. Chloe’s presence ushers in the opposite effect. Her shy smile is intoxicating, but it has nothing on her giggle.
I lock the door behind me and head toward the beach. It’s a five-minute, straight shot to the beach, but it might as well be a rollercoaster ride with all the emotions swirling in my mind. There’s no way I would ever ask Chloe to turn down the job, but should I see if she wants to stay in touch? Do people ask that anymore? Or should I just hope she texts me? I bang the surfboard against my forehead. That’s it. Dating sucks.
Okay that’s unfair. I haven’t gotten past a first date in so long, I don’t think I’m qualified to bash the process. I guess the truth is…Chloe leaving sucks. The last few days with her have been the best I’ve had in a long time.
As I approach the boardwalk, my ab muscles tighten. I guess I’m bracing myself for when I see her, knowing it could be the last.
When I reach the sand, I spot Chloe’s towel and backpack, but I don’t see her anywhere. I move my eyes to the water and nearly fall over. Chloe is at least twenty yards out, paddling toward me. She lifts her hand to wave, and then quickly puts it back down.
The woman who didn’t even want to go in yesterday is now paddling out alone? With my board under my arm, I hurry to the water’s edge. She’s farther out than I feel comfortable with—especially with the wind picking up. I motion for her to paddle in. She nods, acknowledging my gesture.
Without warning, a surge of water forms. My mouth goes dry. I sprint into the sea keeping my eyes locked on her. I don’t want to scare her, but I have to warn her. “Look out!”
Jumping onto my board, I move my arms through the water as fast as I can. I’m a few feet away from her when the wave breaks, spilling over her. I take a deep breath and dive under. Emerging, I scan frantically for Chloe. Please, please say she’s leashed to her board.
She’s nowhere in sight, and I’m starting to panic. “Chloe! Chloe!” I scream her name and wait for a response. Five seconds go by, and then ten.
“Leo.” I faintly hear my name and look around. Chloe is clinging to her board a few feet from me. I swim as fast as I can to her.
“It’s okay, I’m here.” I pull her onto my board, and then jump into the water. She coughs repeatedly. Kicking my feet as hard as I can, I push us to shore.
When the water is shallow enough that I can stand, I slide Chloe off the board and drape her arm around me. She’s sniffling and trying to clear her throat. The moment our feet hit the dry sand, I help her sit.
Falling to my knees in front of her, I lift her chin so that I can look into her eyes. “Chloe, are you okay?”
She nods, and then hangs her head. “I’m…so…sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I sweep the hair from her face. She’s shivering, so I slide behind her and squeeze her tight. Instinctively, I nestle closer and kiss her neck. When I feel her body relax, I ask, “What were you doing out there?”
She hesitates. “I wanted to go for it…to prove to myself I could get in the water. I watched a surf lesson on YouTube.”
“You replaced me?”
She turns on her knees, facing me. “I thought I could surprise you. It was stupid. I’m sorry.”
“You definitely surprised me.”
She smiles, resting her hands on my thighs. “I learned another life lesson from surfing in the video…” Taking a deep inhale, she says, “You have to find your sweet spot on the board. It’s how you keep your balance.”
I tilt my head, trying to understand the significance.
Her eyes are glued to her fingers that are moving back and forth over my knee. “Leo, I think you…and Sunshine Shores…are my sweet spot. This is the first time I can remember not being consumed by work. I figured out what my life has been missing. ” Finally, she meets my eyes as she says, ”Balance.”
“Does that mean…”
Chloe nods and puts her arms around my neck. “I’m staying.”
My hands are on her waist. I pull her toward me. The kisses that follow match the heat of the sun beating down.
Now that I have Chloe in my arms, I can’t believe I almost had to kiss her goodbye.