Chapter 6
“That will be eight dollars even,” said the gal behind the counter with a grin. “You must really like these.”
Gage looked down at the gold foil-wrapped protein bar. “It’s for a friend,” he said, but it sounded like a lie. “And the one I bought yesterday was too.”
The young brunette lifted a brow. “For Christian?”
“No,” he said. “I mean, Christian is my friend, but he’s not who I’m buying them for.”
The cashier, whose name was Tiffany according to her nametag, gave him a nod and handed over his receipt. “Gotcha. Have a great day. It’s beautiful out there.”
“Thank you,” he said while taking it from her.
As professional as Tiffany was, like all the other staff he’d encountered at the Royal Palm, it was plain to see she was interested in him.
The way she held his gaze before responding, as if willing Gage to see past her professional shell and ask her out.
If he hadn’t decided to swear off women for a while, Gage would be tempted to do just that. But if he were being honest, another woman at the pristine resort had already caught his attention. To the point he was starting to second-guess his father’s advice. It wasn’t like Dad would have to know.
Gage pried open the door, felt the pull of conditioned air rush to the open space, and sucked in the fresh, salty breeze while stepping into the shaded cement.
A vision of Christian and Carly standing side-by-side shot to his mind.
Gage barely even knew Carly. His interactions with her up to that point had consisted of an awkward introduction that set the woman into a rage and a surf lesson that had served Gage a large slice of humble pie, hand delivered by the sassy instructor herself.
Still, if jealousy did what it was known for, Gage’s sunburned shoulders would have gone from sunburn red to envy green at the sight of them together.
It probably had more to do with the competitive nature between him and his old friend.
But the odd stirring in his belly at the recollection of her touch said otherwise.
He’d liked it way too much. The truth was, he’d been half-tempted to snatch a bag of sunflower seeds for her today instead of the protein bar.
Two things stopped him from doing just that: The first being that he didn’t want to come across as creepy for taking note of what she’d bought last night.
The second was that she had, in fact, just purchased her own bag hours prior.
How fast could she go through a bag that size, anyway?
Gage squinted as he scanned the beach, fighting an onslaught of jitters.
A large part of him was already distracted by the thought of seeing Carly again.
The other part of him was stuck worrying that the one role wouldn’t be enough to appease his father.
He could just hear it now: “Why quit while you’re ahead?
Why let down all your new fans? Why not ride the wave? ”
The answer to that was simple: Gage had never wanted an actor’s life.
Wasn’t willing to get caught up in the web of keeping critics and fans happy.
Of living life under the microscope of that Hollywood lens.
Beau might handle his own popularity in the NFL well enough, with the clashing of praise for one game and criticism over the next, but Gage planned to go back to where his true passion lay—with blueprints, floor plans, and architectural design.
Just as that thought settled in his mind, Gage caught sight of Carly.
She was wearing a light pink swim top today which, even from a distance, looked very good against her tan skin.
She was the perfect picture of beautiful, her hair blowing in the breeze, the ocean landscape at her back.
Too bad she wasn’t playing the female role in the film.
He’d have an excuse to kiss her again and again.
Heat roared low in his belly at the thought.
The only thing that didn’t belong in the sight before Gage was the group of teens heading her way—the spoiled rich kids from yesterday.
Like you can talk, Gage. He shook his head.
He’d pretty much gotten whatever material thing he’d desired growing up.
But that wasn’t the same as having a parent’s affection.
Luckily, Carly’s conversation with the group was short-lived. The teens were hollering their goodbyes as Gage neared the shack. She’d been watching them head off toward the beach, but as he coughed once in his throat, letting her know he was there, Carly spun around.
Whoa. Please tell me you’re not dating anyone.
His insides misbehaved on a million levels. Pulse pounding. Breath catching. Thoughts tangling. Yeah, forget Dad’s no dating right now rule. Not going to happen if he could help it. “Hi.”
Her blue eyes held his, and a new draft of heat smacked him in the face. There was something going on behind those eyes. A Mona Lisa appeal if he’d ever seen one. It was a look that seemed to acknowledge that she’d been thinking about him. And that she knew he’d been thinking about her.
“You ready for round two?” Her question sounded nonchalant. He hoped it was a facade. She had to be feeling what he was. Which was what, exactly? Some premature super-crush?
“I sure am,” he said.
“Well then…” Carly handed over his board and motioned toward the water. “Let’s get out there.”
So they were starting on the waves today. Good thing. Gage needed a distraction. Keeping up with those waves, which looked much bigger than they’d been the day before, was sure to help.
Carly’s legs dangled at either side of her board as she floated over the dwindling swells. Up, over, down. Up, over, down. Just a few feet away, Gage did the same. Rising when she dropped, and dropping as she rose, the two catching glimpses of one another over the waves at just the right time.
Glimpses that made her remember what it was like to be back in junior high school.
Before she met Jimmy. The truth was, she could barely recall what it felt like to have a youthful, almost carefree crush.
It felt amazing. Like life was filled with potential and hope she’d nearly forgotten.
She didn’t know what it meant. Didn’t want to even think about that yet.
She only wanted to dwell in the delicious flirtation happening each time their eyes met.
The waves were quieting now, enough that she heard him chuckle low in his throat.
“What?” she asked as he paddled closer to her.
“I’m just thinking about how I got slammed by that wave when I followed you in.”
“I warned you,” she reminded him. “You were supposed to just watch and learn, not try to catch it for yourself.” Gage was catching on quickly enough, but waves of such big proportion required a more advanced skill set. She shrugged and shot him a playful wink. “At least you lived.”
He laughed some more, and Carly took the opportunity to take in his handsome features.
His dark eyes held hints of gold today. Drops of water trickled from his brown, mussed hair and settled along that chiseled jawline, accented once again by that short scruff.
For the second time in two days, he’d unzipped the top half of his wetsuit toward the lesson’s end and tugged his arms out.
Carly had been more than a little distracted by his chiseled abs and chest, complimented by the glorious reflection of sunlight.
No wonder they wanted him to star in the movie.
He’d light up that screen like a natural.
A sting of jealousy snuck in as she considered the women who’d be beating down Gage’s door after the movie released.
What exactly was she feeling for Gage? She thought back on the way it had felt when he touched her hand in the gift shop.
The way his gaze had fallen to Christian’s hand on her back.
She was crushing on him, she admitted to herself, but was it possible he was taking an interest in her in return?
And just what did these feelings for Gage—as new as they might be—mean about her future with Jimmy?
She looked out over the horizon and pondered the question. Most likely the budding interest she had in Gage only went one way. But the competitive side of her challenged that idea—wanted to prove that he did like her, in fact.
“How about we catch some lunch,” Gage said. “My treat.” He flicked the hair from his face and shot her a grin.
Carly felt a heart spasm coming on. Rapid beats clanked against her rib cage. “Sure.” She shrugged for effect, hoping it would counter any notable reddening in her cheeks.
His grin widened, and Carly sucked in a gasp; a girl could drown in all of that swoon-worthy glory.
“Good.” Was that triumph she saw on his face?
They made their way past the clubhouse’s main restaurant, a place that lured the Royal Palm’s more sophisticated patrons with cocktails and fancy food, to The Mini Palm, another outdoor establishment which offered a casual take on fine dining.
Freshly grilled burgers, hand-cut fries, and flavored sodas.
“You have to admit,” Gage said once they’d ordered. He took a sip of his Coke and slid it to the center of the table. “I’m a quick study, right?”
Carly tipped her head. “Hollywood wants a compliment.”
Gage looked caught. “Noo…” He rolled the word into three syllables.
It made her happy that the guy could be vulnerable, that he didn’t actually know how good he was.
The breeze came in and tousled his hair as he waited for her reply.
The private gazebo offered everything she could want in that moment: a view of the ocean, an icy drink in her hand, and the warmth of the sun on her skin. The company wasn’t bad either.
“You are a quick study,” she admitted. “You might be good enough to fly solo after just two days.” She watched with interest as Gage’s brow furrowed in response.
“I may as well go back to teaching kids and let you take it from here.” She hated even saying it, but Carly couldn’t resist the chance to see his reaction.
“On second thought,” he said, rolling his shoulders. “I’ve still got an awful lot to learn.”
She lifted a brow. “You do, do you?”
Gage only held her gaze and nodded.
It took effort for Carly to keep the grin off her face. “Fine,” she said. “And you’re right. You still have a lot to learn.”
“So how long have you been coming out here for this? Giving surf lessons, I mean.”
She counted back a few years. It’d been six years since she’d lost Ava. And she’d started work here the summer after that. “This is my fifth year,” she said.
“Christian said you used to compete professionally. That’s impressive.” He grinned. “So what made you quit?”
The pendant around her neck—hidden beneath her swim top—grew heavier in the quiet pause. She had the sudden urge to hold the metal charm, rub her thumb over it as she thought back on that time. “A lot of things,” she finally said.
It was too personal to share. Besides, she was enjoying the role she was playing: mysterious, snarky surfer.
Not the girl who was mentally tethered to a man who didn’t know how to love.
Not the woman who was still mourning the loss of her baby girl.
That’s not the person she wanted to be today.
Not the person she wanted to be this summer.
Sure, Carly might not be the one who’d scored the lead part in a movie, but where Gage was concerned, she’d be playing a role all the same: fun, easy-going Carly.
Ready to flirt with a gorgeous guy she met on the beach, possibly share a kiss at sunset, and feel all the feels she’d been missing since devoting her broken heart to Jimmy McGraw.
“Burger with blue cheese, bacon, and tomato,” Landon said while sliding a plate onto the table. “And a jalapeno burger for the gentleman. Condiments are on the table. Can I get you anything else?”
Carly shook her head and glanced over at Gage. “Nope,” he said softly. “This looks perfect. Thank you.” He set his gaze back on her, an act that caused heat to fill her cheeks once more.
“So, Ms. Carly,” Gage said, voice raspy and low. “I’ve got a question for you.” He rested an elbow onto the table—a big no-no at her house—and quirked his lips, thoughtful.
The french fry in her grasp was all but forgotten. “Yes?” Here came the big waves again. Causing all sorts of chaos to her insides. She gulped, felt herself leaning in as she awaited his question.
He broke into a wide, confident grin. “Are you dating anyone?”