Page 3 of Always Another Sunset

There was almost nothing left in the fish tank, but Bella complied. “Now what?” she asked, but JC was already moving.

“Come on,” she said over her shoulder. “What floor?”

Bella fell into step beside her. “Six,” she said, and JC felt a strange moment of disappointment that they couldn’t possibly be roommates. Then they were at the door to the stairs.

“Open it, and I’ll run this up for you,” she said.

Bella hesitated. “Six flights?”

JC shrugged, although her arms were already getting tired. Not that she would ever let it show. “The elevators are jammed with people moving in. I worry it will take too long for these two little guys,” she said as Bella opened the door to let JC pass by. “And it’s not that heavy.”

As she hit the first set of stairs, JC heard Bella say the words that would capture her heart forever. “Thank you so much for helping me. You’re my hero.”

WatchingJC jog back to the beach, Bella’s heart beat faster. The woman was simply amazing to look at in her sleeveless and very fitted black and gold Oahu Paddle Adventures T-shirt and shorts—strong, tan, and gorgeous. The red tandem kayak appeared to be weightless on her broad shoulders. Plus, something about the confident way she moved looked so sexy.She’s got to have a partner,Bella thought.Maybe married with kids? No way she is single. Not only because of how JC looked either, but because Bella remembered from college how kind and considerate her friend was to everyone. Whenever she saw someone in trouble, even a complete stranger, JC lent a hand.Like the time she ran my fish tank up six flights of stairs to save my two goldfish.

JC’s strength and athleticism were even more impressive to Bella because she had absolutely zero talent in that department. They could not be more opposite. While JC’s college scholarship came from her physical skills, Bella was there because of her grades.And my ability to write a killer scholarship application essay, she thought with a small smile. Writing had always been where she shined.But JC helped with that too.Her friend read anything and everything Bella wrote, providing constant praise and encouragement. Whenever Bella started to doubt herself and her abilities to create good stories, JC was there to pull her out of it. Although there were others in her life who gave her praise, Bella didn’t remember anyone making her believe in herself more than JC Monroe.How have I gotten by all these years without her in my life?

Interrupting her ponderings, JC came with the kayak and set it on the sand. “Time to load up,” she said with a confident smile. “You take the front.” Bella appraised the narrow thing. It seemed impossible that the kayak could keep them both above water. Clearly seeing her hesitate, JC held out her hand. “Here, I’ll help you. The nice thing about an ocean kayak like this is you ride in the seats atop it.” Bella wasn’t sure she agreed, but she took JC’s hand anyway. The grip was warm and soft, while feeling strong too. Something in the touch comforted Bella while sending a sensual shiver through her. She was pretty sure she could hang onto JC’s hand forever. The contact seemed to have impacted JC too, because Bella noticed color creep into the woman’s cheeks that not even her deep tan could hide.What does that mean?Bella wondered, not sure if she should be embarrassed or encouraged by JC’s reaction. She hoped there would be time to find out.

Trying to look as graceful as possible, but not quite pulling it off, Bella dropped into the seat in the first position on the kayak. “Like this?” she asked with a grimace, and JC nodded, seeming to hold her hand a moment longer than she needed although Bella couldn’t be sure. If she wasn’t so nervous about the adventure she was about to embark on, she would have analyzed things further. At the moment, she simply didn’t want to fall over before they even got in the water.

“You’re perfect,” JC answered, her voice carrying a slightly husky tone as she stared at Bella. After a beat, Bella saw her swallow hard as JC handed her the paddle. “Remember, arms slightly wider than shoulder width apart, scoops outward. When we get in the water, I’ll tell you when to start.”

Bella nodded as she took the long, clumsy object in her hands. “Okay,” she replied, doing her best to keep the unwieldy thing from smacking her in the head. “Scoops outward. Got it.”

JC knelt beside her and put her hand gently over Bella’s on the handle. “It’s not a death grip. Firm, but flexible,” she said softly, but Bella barely heard the words. The woman’s touch felt more like a caress and warmth filled her body. Unlike before, now she was certain JC sucked in a small breath.There’s something there, Bella thought.A chemistry that she feels too. Different than when we were in college where I was too afraid to say anything. I can’t be imagining it, can I?

Nodding, Bella wished they were anywhere but on that beach about to embark on a trip with other people. “Thank you,” she said. “I’m just…” She felt herself blush as the words she wanted to say wouldn’t come and forced a little laugh. “I guess I’m really nervous.”

“Don’t be,” JC said. “Just try to relax and have fun. I promise to take care of you.” No words could make Bella happier.

5

Touching the soft skin of Bella’s warm hand was like touching something electrified. A current of attraction sparked through JC’s entire body.How does she still have this effect on me?she thought.I haven’t seen her in over a decade and suddenly it’s like we are back in college again.No matter how long they were friends, every time they casually touched even if incidentally, JC had to hide her reaction or else give away her feelings.Just like right now.Only the sound of her partner calling her name brought her back to the moment. “You ready to go, JC?” Blake asked from where he stood beside his kayak, and JC gave her head a shake to clear the hundreds of sensual memories threatening to creep in. Back massages, eating from the same plate, sharing a blanket on the couch.Harmless to Bella, but such torture for me. But that was then. This is now and I’m not some lovesick college student anymore.

Taking a deep breath to buy time to gather herself, JC finally nodded. “You bet,” JC answered as she stood. “Let’s get the show on the road. You guys go first.”

Blake gave her a long look with a hint of concern clear on his face. “Okay,” he said, hesitating as if he might walk over to talk to her.It’s because I’m acting so weird over Bella,she thought.I need to get my head in the game.

She put on her most confident smile. “Need a push or do you three got it?” she asked, and after a beat, he grinned back.

“Everything is set, and we are ready to hit the water,” Blake said. “See you on the other beach.”

JC watched the three of them get underway. “Bella,” she said, glancing at the woman to see if she was paying attention. “Watch how they paddle hard through the surf break. That’s the most challenging part, getting us underway.” Bella bit her lip, looking a bit pale. “But I know we can do it.”

“She knows we can do it,” JC heard Bella murmur under her breath and wasn’t sure if her words were a vote of confidence or the opposite. Peering closer, she realized it was the latter.She looks scared to death, JC thought, wondering why the woman signed up for something if it made her so uncomfortable.There’s more going on here than meets the eye.

“Just listen to what I tell you,” JC said as reassuringly as she could, moving to the back of the kayak to grab hold of a rope handle. Like she had hundreds of times, she would give them a hard push into the water, jump on, and paddle like hell. Before Bella could protest, she started to lift her end from where it was planted in the sand. “Hang on. We are going. One, two, three.” Her timing was perfect, catching the lull in the waves, and she jumped into place with expert precision. In less than a second, JC paddled hard strokes to fight against the force of the ocean trying to push them back onto the beach. It was her favorite moment on every launch—the battle of wills against Mother Nature.

Apparently, Bella liked it less from the little yip of panic she made, but at least she started to paddle. A cresting wave approached. “Oh no,” Bella said, her stroke changing to flailing.

Recognizing the start of panic, JC knew she had to rein Bella in, or she would end up capsizing them. “Bella. We are okay. Relax your stroke,” she advised in a gentle but firm tone, putting all her strength into the powerful motion to propel them along. “Strong and precise is better than going too fast. Listen to me. Stroke, stroke, stroke.” At the last moment, Bella fell into the groove, and together they cut through the biggest wave. Water splashed up the sides of the kayak around them, wetting them both with its spray, but then they were over to the other side and cruising through the water. “Great job! We did it.”

“We did it? Already?” Bella asked with a shake of her head.

JC smiled at the tone of amazement in Bella’s voice. “Yes, we are past the break. Like I said, that’s the hard part,” she said. “Congratulations, you are officially a kayaker.” There was a pause, and JC wished she could see the face of the woman in front of her.Is she okay?JC wondered, but before she could ask, Bella raised her paddle over her head and let out a loud whoop followed by an excited laugh.

“We did it,” Bella repeated, sitting up straighter. “I can’t believe it. This never happens to me.”

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