4. DAWN TO DUSK #2
“Lucky for me, the guy who pulled me out was like lifesaver of the year or something.”
We settled beneath a pandanus tree, staring out over the water for a moment I turned back to her. “One of my best memories is swimming at Bronte one summer with my parents. It’s a simple thing, but it stuck with me.”
Ivy watched quietly, waiting for me to continue.
“We got up early that morning and did the coastal walk from Bronte to Bondi. I remember my father lifting me up to see the sunrise over the ocean. Afterward, we all went swimming together.”
The memory replayed through my mind. It was one of the rare moments we’d ever truly felt like a real family.
Her hand lingered on my arm briefly. “Sounds really special.”
“What about your family? I’d love to hear more about your life.”
“Well, Byron Bay was a pretty chill place to grow up. And it’s insanely beautiful.
I pretty much surfed my childhood away.” Her fingers threaded through her long golden-brown hair.
“I always thought I’d try for a career as a pro surfer.
But then the opportunity to model came up, then I moved away so I could get more work. ”
“Well, it seems like it’s paying off for you.”
A faint smile touched her lips. There was longing on her face as she talked about her hometown, and I watched in delight as she lit up at the thought of being out on the ocean at daybreak.
I forced myself to look away. “So, any brothers or sisters?” I asked.
“My parents tried for years to have kids. They didn’t think it was ever going to happen. But then, when they’d completely given up, my twin Jai and me came along. They always said we were the best thing that ever happened to them.”
“Twins. Wow. No wonder they were thrilled… if your twin is anything like you.” I smiled. “Do they still live there?”
She turned away, but not before I caught the sadness that flashed across her face.
“Sorry, Ivy. I didn’t mean to bring up something painful.”
She gave a small shake of her head. “Nah, it’s okay. It’s good talking about it sometimes, to be honest. My dad’s a Vietnam veteran.”
Her gaze dropped to her hands, her thumb rubbing slowly over one knuckle.
“He got conscripted when he was eighteen. Came home with a head injury just before it ended. Mum said he was never the same after he got back.”
“That’s terrible.” I laid my hand softly over hers for a few seconds. “I’m sorry.”
“A couple of years ago, Dad’s memory got so bad he had to go into a specialist home in Sydney. I don’t see him as much as I’d like to.” She stared out at the horizon. “Mum passed away a few months later. I think it was heartbreak. And Dad… he usually can’t remember Jai and me anymore.”
“That must be unbelievably hard.” I held her gaze for a moment. “And you’ve still come this far.”
“Thanks. I won’t lie. It was hard. I have my brother, though, and for that I’m eternally grateful. I’ve got some amazing memories with Dad too, from out on the waves. He taught us how to surf and came out with us when we were little.”
“So he was a surfer too. How old were you when you learned?”
“As soon as we were old enough to get on a board.” She grinned. “Me, Jai, and Dad out there at sunup until we knew our way around a board and could handle ourselves in the water.“
Her smile softened. “Then he just stopped. He didn’t want to leave the house much after that. But me and Jai still went out. I’ve always thought being twins was the universe’s way of making sure we’d always have someone looking out for us.” Grains of white sand slipped through her fingers.
We gazed back over the ocean as the waves rolled onto the shore. An early surfer cut across an emerald wave, the crest glowing like molten gold beneath streaks of pink and orange in the sky.
Ivy pointed upward. “Check out the sea hawk.”
I heard its shrill cry before I spotted it gliding through the waking sky. “That’s amazing,” I said quietly, taking it all in.
The view. The calm. Her.
“This has been the best day ever.” She leaned closer until our shoulders almost touched.
A sharp, sudden heat spread through me. “I know exactly what you mean.”
We leaned back against the tree together, watching the fiery ball of sun rise higher over the Pacific.
***
When the scarlet sunrise faded into pale daylight, we wandered back onto the street, climbed into the back of an Uber, and headed to Ivy’s house to pick up her car, ready to begin our next adventure.
The car dropped us out front, and we headed inside.
Smirking, we stepped around empty bottles and people passed out across the large living room while she gave me a quick tour. Evidently, her roommates had thrown a party the night before.
“Give me a sec, I need to grab a few things. Back soon,” she whispered, disappearing down the hallway.
I leaned against the wall, waiting, as my thoughts drifted.
I’m having such an amazing time. Why do I have to leave so soon—
My phone buzzed. One of the girls stirred, then rolled over and drifted back to sleep.
KARLOS: Don’t be late arriving in Sydney. You have obligations to fulfill.
A flicker of resentment prickled in my chest at the reminder of what was waiting for me. SolStar.
KARSON: Save the lecture. I get it.
Ivy returned to the living room, phone in hand and bag slung over her arm. We padded silently toward the front door and stepped out into the sunlight.
“Oh no,” Ivy said. “I just checked my messages and found out why Ethan was a no-show last night. He got locked in the bathroom at work with no phone reception. He was stuck in there until the cleaner arrived.”
“That’s rough for Ethan,” I said with a smile.
“Yeah, the poor guy. It’s not all bad, though,” she said. “If he hadn’t gotten locked in there, we never would’ve met.”
“Well, that would’ve been a real shame. And just so you know, I noticed you way before we sang together. Just sayin’,” I said, watching her circle around to the other side of the car.
“And just so you know,” she called over her shoulder, “I noticed you way before we sang together. Just sayin’.”
A ripple of satisfaction flickered through me… she’d singled me out in that crowd.
“Sorry about the chariot.” She patted the roof fondly.
“Nothing to be sorry for.” I looked over it slowly. “It’s a classic.” The old car had dents, peeling paint, patches of rust, and a missing passenger door handle. “Who needs a handle?” I joked as I climbed in through the driver’s side and slid across to the passenger seat.
“That’s what I always say.” She laughed, hopping in beside me. “I hope you like fresh air. The air conditioner died before I even bought this car, so you’d better open the window.” She gave a small shrug.
“No problem.” I lowered the window before it jammed halfway down. I gave it a solid thump, and it slid open the rest of the way.
The engine spluttered, and somehow, as we pulled away, I was exactly where I wanted to be.