5 January
New South Wales, Australia
My phone pings. Please don’t let it be another text from Winston. I lift my sleeping mask to look and instantly regret the third espresso martini. I need to remember that drinks are like nipples. One isn’t enough, three are too many, but two…just right. Thankfully, it’s from Mom.
Mom: Hey sweets! I hope Down Under is everything you imagined. Don’t worry about anything. All the wedding things were delivered to your house, but I called the nursing home and they came to pick up all the centerpieces. I’ll go through everything else and make sure Winston is nowhere to be seen before you get home.
I pull the mask over my eyes. Winston and I are going to have to untangle our lives. At least he moved into my place and we hadn’t joined our bank accounts yet. I make a mental note to text him to vacate before I return.
I’m thankful I’m already signed up for yoga this morning. After sitting on the plane for a million hours and being tossed around in the surf, I could use a good stretch. A few downward facing dogs and a child’s pose followed by a facial, and I should be as good as new.
The facial was to die for. I’m already basking in the fresh glow. I stuff my yoga clothes in my tote, throw on the delicious resort robe, and head back to my bungalow. If they sell these robes, I’m definitely bringing one home—on Winston’s dime. As I stroll across the beach, I spot a familiar head of shaggy blond hair and a woman who’s chosen not to wear a wetsuit. I duck behind a palm tree and steal a few peeks. In one smooth motion he demonstrates a perfect pop up on the surfboard in the sand while his red board shorts cling in all the right places, as usual. I can hear the woman giggle as she lies on the board and he reaches across her body, hands on her hips, same as he did with me. That’s what he does to all his students. I’m nothing special. Just the eleven o’clock on his schedule. He’ll probably drag his fingers across her back too.
Suddenly he looks up and gives a quick little wave. Shit. Shit. Shit. This tree isn’t as wide as I want it to be. My face warms and it’s not the facial glow. Bruce does a little pointy thing with his fingers and I look and see my robe has slipped open. I jerk it back tight and run-walk as fast as my spa shoes will carry me back to my room where I plan to die a thousand different deaths of embarrassment.
Somehow I pull myself together and slide my latest humiliation aside. I need to find something for Mom and Lila as a thank you for all they’ve done for me and this afternoon is the perfect time for shopping. The resort shuttle drops me along the oceanside boardwalk in downtown Easton. This little town gives me all the warm vibes of home and Southern California. On one side of the street the sand is littered with beach-goers under brightly colored umbrellas and a million beach volleyball players diving for the perfect play. Beyond them surfers bob in the waves. The only thing not so So Cal are the towering Northern Pines lining the boardwalk. It’s like taking trees from the mountains and dropping them at the ocean’s edge. I’ve never seen anything like it and I love everything about it. Restaurants with tables spilling out onto the sidewalk line the opposite side of the street. A promenade of boutiques, sweet ice cream shops, and tall palm trees leads away from the ocean. I have landed in the right place for an afternoon of retail therapy—with Winston’s credit card. Thank you, “honey.”
I peruse the shops and find a silk scarf for Lila and a sweet rom-com set in Sydney for mom. She can never get enough of those happily ever after books. I thought I had my happily ever after, but I guess our shitty dance instructor had other ideas. I re-adjust my sunglasses. There’s no chance I’m going to give this gorgeous afternoon over to Winston or my heartbreak. What makes all things better? Ice cream. I step into line for two scoops of salted caramel.
The ice cream melts quickly in the heat of the day and I lick frantically at the side of the cone as I head toward the beach. A loud, happy laugh floats through the air. I look over to my left to see a familiar smile of white gleaming teeth sitting across from a woman with long light brown hair. How is he everywhere? And it appears he gets around. Look away. Look away. I try to tear my eyes away from Bruce and the café, but he spots me. Before I can duck into the nearest shop or try to hide behind a palm tree for the second time today, he raises a hand and waves. Sticky salted caramel drippings cover my hand. I’m like a toddler standing in the middle of the sidewalk.
He jumps up with a napkin and strolls over to me. Perfect. I’ve been caught in another humiliating moment.
“Thanks,” I mumble.
“Best ice cream on the continent, isn’t it?” Thankfully he does not acknowledge my latest compromising position.
He catches my eye looking at the woman with the light brown hair. “Join us,” he says.
It’s hard to believe he’s had time to notice me in between seeing these other women.
“No! No! I don’t want to intrude.” I look to the left for an escape route.
“She’s leaving shortly to grab the ferry back to Sydney.”
Ummm…so. One leaves and is replaced by another warm body?
Sensing my hesitation, “She’s my sister.”
I look over at the café. “This place doesn’t serve animals with the eyes intact, does it?”
Bruce throws his head back and laughs. “I promise I won’t let you order anything with a face.”
We walk over to the table as his sister stands. She sticks out her hand and I shake it. “Nora,” she says.
“Francine,” I reply.
“Stoked to meet the lovely gal who’s got my brother so completely sidetracked!” Nora touches my arm and heat creeps into my cheeks. “Sorry to split so soon, but I’ve gotta catch the boat.”
She kisses each of Bruce’s cheeks. “Remember what I said, ‘a good thing’s a good thing no matter where it’s from.’” She pats his shoulder and runs off.
Bruce clears his throat and turns a little red. He pulls out the chair for me. His fingers trail across my shoulders as he circles back to his side of the table.
I settle in across from him and he motions for the server. “She’ll have the fish and chips and a cold one.”
“How do you know I like fried food?”
“Lucky guess,” he says and winks.
The server brings me a beer and my food.
“So, tell me what a surfer from Down Under was doing in LA?” I ask, trying to summon the Francine who has better control of situations.
He takes a gulp of his beer. “Working” is all he says before he steals one of my fries—again.
“Surf lessons on Venice Beach?” I ask and he swallows.
“Sort of. I was filming a movie.”
“You’re an actor?” Am I sitting across from an Australian Glen Powell?
“Not an actor, but was asked to be a surf instructor for a film.” A wide grin spreads across his square jaw and I can tell he was made for it. He’s got the look that will light up a movie screen. His teeth glow when he smiles. I’m sure someone from Colgate will scoop him up in no time.
“Mmmm…” I return his smile. “Did you always want to be a surf instructor?”
Bruce’s face falls a bit.
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
“No, happy to. Sorta went through some tough times as a kid. Got hooked up with a local surf organization that helped kids like me. They taught me how to surf and kept me out of trouble after school. I owe my life to surfing.”
“I didn’t know there were surf groups like that.”
“They’re all over the world. I work with the local group here. I’m stoked to be out there with those kids.”
There’s always so much more to people than meets the eye.
Bruce clears his throat and changes the subject. “How do you fill your time in California, Frannie?”
He keeps using his little nickname for me and I’m starting to like it.
“I’m an ER nurse.”
“Wow, Frannie. I’m impressed. Nursing is not an easy job. It takes a lot to care for others.” He holds my gaze longer than necessary, sending ripples through my body.
“Thanks.” My breath hitches. “Sometimes it’s a lot, but it’s worth it.” I gobble up a few chips. Maybe that will stop the tingling between my legs.
“You mentioned a full itinerary for your time here? What else do you have planned?”
“Tomorrow’s a tour around Sydney.” He nods his head. “A couples massage the next day.” I roll my eyes. “And then off to Kangaroo Island. I can’t wait to see a little joey riding around in a pouch and have breakfast with koalas!”
“Lots to discover in the bush.” My face immediately flames red until I realize he’s referring to the outback. “Quite a honeymoon!” He holds up his beer to cheers the air.
“Yeah, it was Winston’s dream.” For a second I feel bad that I’m enjoying it and he isn’t and then I remember it’s his own fault.
Bruce motions for the check and pulls out his credit card as the server approaches. “How ‘bout I walk you back to The Waverly?”
“Are you headed back there too?”
“My car’s still there. Nora picked me up at the resort.”
For a second I thought he wanted to spend more time with me. But of course, he’s a true Aussie, friendly with all the resort guests.
We wander along the sidewalk in the direction of the resort. I’m happy he offered to walk me back to The Waverly. Traveling on your own is lonely and his company is making me forget my reality. And his presence, in particular, makes every part of me come alive.
When we arrive back at the resort, I take off my shoes and let the sand slide through my toes. I love the beach in the dark. The quiet sound of the waves. Faint glow of the stars. Our hands brush as I follow Bruce toward the surf shack. I lean back against the building and take a deep breath. It’s almost private back here hidden from the lights of the resort. Even the air’s a little warmer with the protection from the shack. Bruce stands next to me, leaving no space between us and bumps my hip with his.
“Pretty bloody amazing here, isn’t it?”
It is. The cliffs rimming the end of the beach are a black silhouette in the day's last remaining light. The waves continue to roll in, but the tide’s out making them feel farther away than this morning. He moves in front of me and lays his hands on my hips. His skin smells like musky pine and a bit of leftover sunscreen. My heart’s beating so fast I’m sure he can feel it.
“Hey,” he whispers and I lift my head and look at him in the dim, filtered light. His sandy blond five o’clock shadow now a bit more full. His warm breath hits my cheek. He leans down and his lips touch mine, coaxing me to open my mouth. His lips taste salty like the surf is part of him. I shiver and he leans in a little harder. His tongue meets mine and explores every corner of my mouth. I nestle into him. Pushing into the kiss while one of his hands moves to cradle my head, and the other holds my ass. I’m desperate for more. I want to be explored by more than his tongue. I want to be rooted in time—sand between my toes, the gentle lap of the waves dancing in my ears, and the heartthrob surf instructor devouring me for dessert.
I hear a patter of feet and I’m happy we’re hidden from the path. Bruce strains against his shorts. As I’m about to suggest we go back to my bungalow, someone clears their throat. Bruce jumps back and straightens his shorts—thank goodness there’s not more light—and I’m thrusted into reality and a group of twenty stargazers for the comet viewing Winston and I were supposed to attend.
“As I was saying, this is a rare sighting in the southern hemisphere because the comet is visible to the naked eye, but you should use your binoculars for the best view,” explains the tour guide.
I slink over to the walkway.
“Let me grab your thong...” says Bruce.
I whip my head around as heat inches up my neck, but he’s handing me my flip-flops.
The walk back to my bungalow’s quiet. When we get to the door, I stand on my tip toes and kiss his cheek. “Thanks for a lovely evening.” I duck into the room and close the door before there’s any discussion.
I pace around the room. If mom were here, she’d be telling me I’m going to wear out the carpet. My mind is racing faster than Ferrari in F1. I contemplate jumping in my pool fully clothed to cool myself off after our steamy kiss. Maybe it’s because Winston and I hadn’t had sex for so long that anyone touching me felt like a release. But who am I kidding, the rip current I felt on the beach just now had nothing to do with Winston. Bruce oozes sex appeal and even better, he’s got a heart of gold. How can this be happening? There is only one person I need to talk to at this very moment. I dial Lila.
“Hel…”
The moment I hear a whisper of a voice on the line I babble.
“I’m calling from the future. I don’t know what time it is there, but I have to talk to you.”
“Now?” Lila whisper-yawns.
“Yes. Now. Sorry. Is it the middle of the night?” I forgot she wakes up early to get to the bakery. Oh well, this can’t wait. “I’ve met someone.”
“Ok. Ok. I’m up. What the hell?” I have Lila’s full alert attention and I fill her in on all the details, including the dreamy eyes, sexy forearms, and rock-hard abs.
“You know what they say, ‘when the universe closes a door, it opens a window.’ Just be safe hopping through that sexy window, girlfriend.”
I was safe and smart the last time and look where it landed me. Maybe slow and steady doesn’t always win the race when it comes to matters of the heart.
“Who knows, Lila.” I sigh into the phone. “I might not see him ever again.”
Please don’t let that be true.