Page 30 of You're The One
I didn’t even realize he’d snuck up that close. And somehow he’s managed to keep his balance in the choppy surf.
“I’m good, but thanks.”
Before I can paddle away, a shout grabs both our attention. Emma is caught in rough water.
Where Victoria popped up easily and swam to shore, Emma’s struggling, her arms flailing as she tries to keep her head above the surface.
“Shit.” Dominic dives off his board, disappearing beneath the waves. He doesn’t resurface until he’s a few feet from her.
Like some kind of Baywatch lifeguard, he slings Emma’s arm over his shoulder and paddles them both toward the beach.
Okay, so maybe that was alittlehot.
Wolf whistles break out from the girls on shore as Summer, Victoria, and one of the medics rush to meet them. Everyone looks fine, though a little shaken up and tousled by the waves.
I’m the only one still out here.
Dominic glances back and holds up a hand, like he’s planning to help me, too.
Not necessary.
I shift my weight and start paddling, trying to time my strokes with the incoming waves. The rhythm’s awkward, and the current tugs me sideways. A wave crashes over the end of my board, but not enough to knock me off. I manage to glide onto the sand, though my landing isn’t graceful.
A shadow falls over me.
“I told you to wait. You could’ve hurt yourself,” he mutters, reaching down and looping his arms under me before I can protest. He hauls me to my feet, but thankfully lets go as soon as I’m upright.
“I told you I didn’t need your help,” I grumble.
“Do you needanyone’shelp? You don’t seem too keen on accepting it, that’s for sure.”
“No. I don’t.” I’m not sure that’s the truth. I glance down to check for a wardrobe malfunction. Even if his complaint was baseless, he’s not wrong about this outfit not being ideal for water sports.
I make my way toward the girls, Dominic close behind.
Emma’s sitting on the sand, knees bent, while the others huddle around her.
“You all right?” I ask, crouching beside her.
“I’m fine.” Her eyes flick up to Dominic behind me, a shy smile tugging at her cheeks. “Just completely mortified.”
“Don’t sweat it,” Dominic reassures her. “Have you seen how many times I’ve lost an edge on the ice? And it’s what I do for a living. Now,that’sembarrassing. Plus, you made me look like a real stud.”
I look over my shoulder at him, my face probably resembling someone who just swallowed a lemon.
“Did you just call yourself a stud? Cringe.”
He scoffs. “Saying cringe is cringe.”
“Okay, millennial.”
Bodhi clears his throat. “All right, ready to continue the date?” he calls out, clearly trying to hype everyone up. “We’re heading to the pier café for sunset drinks!”
It works on Summer, though her voice carries a mocking edge as she yells, “Heck yeah, cowboy!”
Summer links arms with the two girls closest to her and heads off, following one of the production assistants toward a van that will bring us to our next destination.
Bodhi lingers behind, bending to check on Emma before helping her up.
