Chapter 20 #2
“No guessing. Did you use the line I told you to from the movie?”
I furrowed my brows, trying to remember if I had all those years ago.
“No, not back then. I missed my chance after she started hating me. But I said it on my first day at Earth Organix, thinking she’d see me differently because I remembered it.
She looked surprised but said nothing. Luke seemed amused by it, though, so apparently, you were wrong,” I said, no longer trusting he knew what he was talking about.
“Man, that’s weird. Girls love that line. I mean, who could resist slipping in an ‘as you wish’? Sheesh, she’s going to be tough to crack.” He grabbed the remote and resumed his search.
“I would give you my tried-and-true movie move, but I don’t think you could handle it,” he said around another bite.
“What move?” If it meant winning Leyla, I was in.
“The Dirty Dancing lift.”
I turned to face him. He was still speaking a foreign language.
“The Dirty Dancing lift?”
He smiled. “Works every time. If I want to impress a woman, I take her dancing and lift her up like they do in the movie.”
Tilting my head, a memory came to me.
“Did you do that last month? You know, when you hurt your back and were laid up for three days?”
His smile faded, and he cleared his throat. “No comment.”
Okay. Lifting was off the table.
“Finally. That’s the one. No one, and I mean no one, can resist this movie,” he said, leaning back.
Two hours later, I was uncharacteristically blinking back tears when the movie ended. Mike was laughing at me, pointing his finger and nodding his head.
“See, what’d I tell you?”
“Shut up. It was just a cute ending,” I said, batting away his finger.
“I’m telling you, man. Girls love You’ve Got Mail. And you and Leyla? Dude, this is your story. Enemies to lovers, wooing her masterfully. It’s chef’s kiss,” he said, making the sign with his fingers and lips.
“I can’t deny it was a good movie, but what can I use to help me win her over?”
“Easy. Tom Hanks found out Meg Ryan was Shopgirl. So he used that secret to win her heart, just like you’re going to. It’s a little different, I know, but it’s the same premise. You’re not telling Leyla it’s her you’re secretly interested in, so you charm her. Bro, you’re going to woo her.”
“Woo?” I asked, my eyebrows low.
He smiled. “Yes, my friend. All the wooing.”
“I don’t think I have woo,” I deadpanned. Could I order some from , maybe?
“That’s why we’re watching the movies. You’ll find your woo,” he answered confidently.
I scratched my head nervously, not sure Mike knew what he was talking about.
“I promise you. You’re going to make her fall for you just like Tom,” he said, eating the pizza crust he’d abandoned earlier. “Tom Hanks is the zen master of love.”
“I don’t know. This could backfire on me. You know I’m not suave, and I’m definitely no Tom Hanks.” I got up and brought my plate to the kitchen, then walked back to him, worrying about how to make this work.
“You don’t have to be anyone other than yourself, my friend.
Leyla knows now that you have autism and hasn’t changed the way she acts around you.
This movie just gives you some ideas on how this could work.
She’s going to give you the help you actually do need on a date.
Close quarters, cozy dinners, maybe a little farmer’s market visit like the movie. ”
I nodded as I let those ideas filter in. “That could work,” I answered as I pictured it.
He slapped my back, making me growl. “Of course it will work. You’re a catch, Niko Demir. She’d be lucky to have you in her life, either as a friend if that’s where this leads to, or someone more.”
“Thanks, Mike. You’re a good friend.”
“Best one you got,” he joked. “Now, one more movie before I leave.”
Another two hours later, after watching Mike try to recreate the last scene from Hitch where they were all dancing at the wedding, I was done. Grateful he wasn’t going to make me practice the kissing part as they did in the movie, I felt a little more ready.
“Unless you want to watch another one, I’m going to head out.”
“No, no more, or I’ll be overwhelmed. This was helpful.
Thanks for spending your Friday night with me.
” I walked him to the door, where he turned to me before leaving.
I backed up just in case he had any ideas about that kissing scene.
He must’ve picked up on my reaction and shook his head, laughing like a hyena.
When he’d calmed down, he put his hand on my shoulder.
“Just remember. Be yourself. Starting off as friends is a great foundation for a possible relationship. Relax and have fun. Don’t overthink it.” I smirked, and he laughed. “I know it’s hard for you, but I saw you two at game night. I don’t think it will be too difficult to convince her.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, holding the door open.
“She tried to play it too cool. Tried to act nonchalant, but she didn’t look at you like just a friend, in my opinion. She didn’t like the idea of this mystery woman either. Show her what she means to you. Tell her what you like about her. Let her know you see her.”
He suddenly looked sad as his gaze drifted from mine.
“Is that something you do on dates?”
His usual cheerful demeanor returned quickly. With a wink and a shrug, he said, “Nah. Girls don’t take me that seriously. They just want the fun Mike.”
He’d never said that to me before. I went to ask him for clarification, but he suddenly said, “Gotta go. Have fun tomorrow. Got my fingers crossed for you. Oh, and one last thing. Don’t declare your undying love for her on the first date, bro. Let it marinate.”
He waved as he walked to his car and drove off.
I wasn’t sure what marinating meant in the context of a date, especially since neither Tom Hanks nor Will Smith mentioned it, so I didn’t pursue it. But armed with renewed hope, I went inside to clean up and get ready for the next day.
Tom and Will each got their girl. Hopefully, I could do the same.
Leyla and I decided to meet at La Jolla Shores early the next morning.
I got there earlier than we said to, so I could make sure I had my wetsuit on before she arrived.
Lying my hand over my chest, I knew it wasn’t time yet to reveal to her what I was hiding.
Someday soon, she’d understand what she meant to me.
Straightening the beach blanket out on the sand for the fourth time, I stood up to keep watch.
Drinks were on ice in the small cooler I’d brought.
Just when I was regretting not bringing her breakfast, she appeared from behind the lifeguard house.
She was like a vision walking toward me on the sand, her board under her arm, weaving around the people near the shore with ease and confidence.
Her wetsuit was only half on, revealing her bright-yellow swimsuit, sunlight dancing off the gold necklace around her neck. The swimsuit was completely modest, yet the sight still left my mouth dry.
When Leyla spotted me, she smiled and waved. Her hair in a ponytail brought back memories of her from years ago. She was breathtaking.
“Hey, you,” she said with a wide smile when she got closer. “Been waiting long? I had to circle a few times to find a parking spot.”
“No, no. Not long.” I walked toward her and took her board, walking us back to the blanket.
She looked around the beach with a smile on her face.
I mumbled, “Beautiful.”
Her head whipped up. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Oh, your necklace. It’s beautiful. You’ve had it for a long time,” I said, recovering from blurting out the word.
Her hand went to it, and she nodded. “Yes, it’s very special to me.”
Afraid that speaking more about the necklace would have me spilling my secret, I quickly said, “I should’ve offered to bring you some breakfast, but I have drinks,” I said.
“No worries. I get up pretty early by habit. Had something before I came.”
I nodded while trying to remember the talking points I had practiced. “Do you come here often?”
She snorted as she tightened her ponytail. “That a favorite pickup line?”
Realizing how it sounded, I stuttered, “N-no. Wow, I always seem to say the wrong thing to you, don’t I?”
Looking into my eyes, she answered, “Not always.”
Gaining confidence in that answer, I said, “I meant to ask you if you still surf often. Life gets in the way for me, but I try to several times a month. It helps me decompress, I guess. Sorry, please sit down.”
Waiting for her to get comfortable, I sat next to her.
“Truth? I haven’t surfed in about two years. When I walked onto the sand, it was like my body relaxed for the first time since Ethan and I split up.”
When she saw my shocked face, she squinched up her nose adorably. “Ridiculous, right? I let my ex steal that from me. I mean, it wasn’t his fault directly, but I just…” She didn’t finish but looked away toward the ocean.
“You felt a little lost.”
She turned back to face me and nodded her head.
“Well, today, you’ve found your way back. I’m grateful to be here with you, taking back what was lost.”
We looked at each other for what felt like an hour before she spoke again. “I’m glad it’s you with me today, too. Niko, you’re the sweetest man. There’s a compassion in you that’s so evident and refreshing. The woman whose heart you’re hoping to win is a very lucky girl.”
I licked my lips, her eyes tracking the movement before looking back up at my eyes. “I’d be the lucky one, that’s for certain.” I wasn’t sure, but that seemed to make her sad, and Mike’s words came back to me.
“Well, I might be a little rusty, but you ready to head out?” she asked, turning away from me and jumping up.
“Ready when you are.”
Leyla and I surfed for hours, completely losing track of time. The waves were perfect, and neither of us was in a hurry to get out of the water. Watching her confidently ride the waves took my breath away.
Her cheeks were pink from the sun, and her smile was just as bright. I whispered a prayer of gratitude that she agreed to come with me. We took turns hollering our excitement as we competed on the waves, only to wipe out and come up laughing.
Bobbing in the water on our boards, she said, “This has been the perfect morning. Gosh, I didn’t realize how much I missed this.” Looking around with a huge smile, she cupped her hand in the water, letting it slip between her fingers. “I feel like I can breathe again.”
“I love seeing you like this. After everything went down at school, I looked for you every time I went surfing, hoping to see you.”
She hung her head down and her lips pursed. “I hate that my anger made me miss out on days like this. With you.”
When her eyes lifted back to mine, I took a breath in, ready to confess everything, no matter what Mike had said. “Leyla…”
Then she pushed back her shoulders and her smile returned. “Does she surf?”
My eyebrows lowered, and I asked, “Who?”
“Your lady friend. You’ll have to tell me her name so I can stop calling her that,” she said with a chuckle.
Shifting on my board, I said, “I’m not quite ready to tell you her name yet. But yes, she loves to surf.”
Leyla looked away, so I didn’t see her reaction. But when she turned back, her smile was in place again. “If you don’t want to say her name, I guess it means I know her then. No matter. Um, yes, so doing something you both love would be a great first date idea.”
“I think it would be perfect, yes. What do you suggest we talk about?” My nerves were just about shot, balancing the desire to be with her but not yet ready to reveal anything about my growing feelings for her.
This was going to be harder than I thought.
I was afraid I’d trip up and make a fool of myself.
“Not knowing anything about her except that she surfs, I’d say stick with that.
Ask her how she got started, what she enjoys most about it, and maybe where she’s surfed.
Give her your attention and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Let her know you’re curious. Do that more than talk about yourself. ”
Nodding, I said, “Let her know I see her.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“And make sure she knows I like her just the way she is,” I said, swallowing the brick in my throat. I hoped she was hearing what I meant.
Her pink cheeks reddened. “Mhmm, that’s important.” Her voice softened, and I fought the urge to hold her hand. Knowing her ex-boyfriend didn’t make her feel that way, I wanted to be the one to shower her with those words.
I see you. You are perfect. You never need to change.
A wave caught us off guard and pushed us forward, and we struggled to right ourselves. As we got closer to the shore, she checked her watch.
“Wow, I didn’t realize how long we’ve been out here. I should probably get back. Can I get a rain check on lunch?”
Disappointed, I tried to answer without showing it. “Yes, sure. Let’s head back.”
I took her board when we got back to the shore and walked us to the blanket.
“Sorry about lunch, but thank you so much for today.” She pushed her flyaway hair from her face. “I must look frightful.”
Lowering my head to look into her eyes, I said, “Seeing you like this is a privilege. Radiant, sun-kissed, a little windblown. It’s perfect.”
She chuckled and playfully hit me on the shoulder. “I don’t think you need much help in the charm department. Your sweet words alone would get you any woman you wanted.”
“Not every woman.”