Page 31 of Memories By the Shore
“I can tell.”
“Okay, now down to business.” His expression turns into a playful firmness. “Let’s start with the basics.”
Squinting in his direction, I block the sun with my hand to get a better view of him as he speaks. “I’m listening.”
Jasper lifts the more weathered surfboard from the top. Pointing with his other hand, he meets my eyes. “This is a surfboard.”
I roll my eyes and laugh. “I know what it is.”
“You are from the desert, so I shouldn’t assume.”
Blushing, I look away. “If you’re going to poke fun at me all day, then I’m out. I’d rather go eat tacos.”
Jasper’s arm hooks around me. He pulls me into his wet chest. It’s warm and inviting. “Alright. Alright.”
“Let’s move on,” I play.
“Okay,” he agrees. “Let me show you something,” he says, slowly rotating my body so I’m facing the crystal blue waters. “See that?”
Staring into the open ocean and a clear blue sky, I’m confused about what I’m supposed to be looking at. But I don’t want him to tease me anymore. He’s having way too much fun with it. I nod and agree. “Yes.”
From behind, he leans in, his lips grazing my ear lobe. “That’s called the ocean,” he whispers.
Oh my god.I belly laugh and push away from him. “Jasper! I know what the ocean is!”
Laughter bubbles up from inside him. It’s the best sound I’ve ever heard. A perfect, authentic, and raw emotion. And at this moment, all the loneliness of my life before slowly fades away.
Chapter Ten
Then
Jasper
My mind struggles to stay focused on the new merchandise as Easton and I unload the recent shipment. I have been giving Avery surf lessons every chance I get. We hang out multiple times a day, with me sometimes squeezing her in between my paid sessions.
She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met—raw and self-aware. It’s intoxicating.
“Jasper.” Easton arches a brow, confused. “Volcom can’t go with Billabong.”
Startled, I look down to see I’ve mixed two branded T-shirts. “Oh yeah, I know.”
“Distracted today?” Easton tosses a box of newly licensed products on the floor.
I push one of the rolling-back stock shelves. “Nah, I’m fine.”
“Hmm, well, how do you explain getting the schedule wrong this morning? Or trying to start a team when we already had our meeting on Monday?” he points out.
I scoff him off, climbing to the told shelf. “I’m fine.”
“Or what about how you forgot your call with the payroll company before lunch?” he continues with confidence and a stupid grin.
“Simple mistakes. Not a big deal.”
“I’ve been working here since before it waslegalfor me to be working.” He chuckles. “And I’ve never seen you mess up anything.”
Easton has been hanging around my dad’s shop since we were kids. It didn’t take long for my dad to give us little tasks around the place. In exchange, he’d let Easton shop whenever he wanted. His dad left when he was young, so it was just him and his mom. She worked long hours and struggled to afford things for them. He spent a lot of time at my house and at the shop.
“Nah, I’m good,” I say in a last attempt to dismiss my best friend. I don’t want to admit I can’t stop thinking about Avery. He’ll tease me about it.
