Page 46 of The Best Wrong Move

I toss the covers back and grab my robe from where I left it — draped across my dresser — and cinch it tightly across my waist. Sand crunches under my feet when I walk into the living room, which is not something I’m sure I’ll ever get used to. I’ve already vacuumed the whole place twice, but I can see another round taking over my plans for the day.

My eyes land on the surfboard leaning against the deck railing outside while I wait for my coffee to brew. I forgot Dom had insisted on leaving it there so I could start my day with another mind-clearing round of waves this morning.

I mean, why the hell not?

Dom was right about getting in the water yesterday. If I simply wanted to hide out and write this script, I could have chosen a cheaper location. I can do both.

“She’s calling,” I mutter to Pru, staring out at the ocean. It’s deep blue today, growing into lighter shades of turquoise as my eyes follow a wave all the way into shore. “Alright, alright. I’m coming.”

I grin, knowing the call of the waves won’t quiet down until I give in. Might as well go now, before I get in deep with scriptwriting.

* * *

By mid-morning, I’m dripping wet and struggling to walk back up to the rental. The sand is deep and my arms feel like Jell-O after an hour of paddling bigger sets of waves than yesterday. The longboard is like dead weight under my arm so I stop to take a breather, puffing to catch my breath. This was much easier when Dom carried both boards for our adventure yesterday.

He made it look so effortless, I think, falling head first into the memory.

“You want help?” a voice calls out.

Rex is standing at the railing of the townhouse deck, watching me.

“Not really,” I answer stiffly.

He starts moving toward me anyway.

“It won’t take long,” he insists. “We haven’t really gotten the chance to be alone yet anyway.”

Nervous energy shoots through my veins, filling my body with ice as Rex makes his way down the stairs, jogging across the sand to relieve me of the board’s weight. When he reaches me, his eyes crinkle into a genuine smile — the likes of which I haven’t seen in well over a month. I wish Dom was here, softening the blow of having Rex’s full attention back on me again, this time without anything left between us.

We fall in line together. The familiarity between us is there, but deep down I know we’ll never be close again.

“You look really good out on the water.” He says it so casually it makes me angry. I stop walking for the briefest second before falling in line again next to him, fighting the urge to trudge ahead.

“Thanks.” I match his stride. “Your surfing could really use some work. I keep thinking you’re going to drown out there, and I don’t know whether to be happy or sad about that.”

His laughter rattles me. I used to love that sound. Back when I’d do anything I could just to hear it.

“Juju really likes you,” he says, swiftly changing the subject.

“Well, why wouldn’t she?” I ask.

His smile widens, then he glances over at me.

“Smart girl,” he says.

“Very,” I add, smirking.

We take a few more steps before I can’t stand it anymore. I have to ask. “Have you told her about us?”

“What’s there to tell?” He replies so quickly that I nearly stop dead in my tracks.

“What the fuck, Rex?” I demand, refusing to move forward.

He spins around.

He narrows his eyes. “Did you follow me here?” This is the first time we’ve been alone, and this is how he’s going to start the conversation? “Yes or no? You never answered me the other day.”

“DidIfollowyou?” I want to smack the question right out of his mouth. My jaw hangs open at the audacity of it.You self-centered asshole.“Let’s see, Rex, did I toss all my money into a burning dumpster fire just so I could fall asleep to the sound of you fucking your new girlfriend across my wall every night? No.”

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