Page 71 of Holiday Love
I stretch my arm over my head and wave. “Hey! Over here.”
“You sure this is necessary?” Helen asks, her voice hushed and stiff.
“You’re ready,” I tell her for the fifth time, careful to keep my tone even. If encouragement is what she needs, I’m happy to provide it. “You’ve practiced paddling in the living room. You can stand on the board without falling. The next step is going in the water, and I can’t take you.” I gesture to my cast, while frustration curls in my gut. It’s not fair. I want to be the one to do this with her, to be there when she takes her first wave, but it’s just not possible. Not yet. “He’ll take you out. He can help.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Helen as Jamie approaches, bracing for the flash of jealousy I know is coming. Jamie’s the kind of guy who’s never heard the word no. He’s all sun-bleached hair, a surf-hardened body, and that wrecking-ball smile. The one that melts women. I’ve watched it happen a hundred times.
Hell, I used to study him. Mimic his lines, his swagger, his easy confidence. That’s how I finally figured out how to get women tonotice me. Before that, I was just his wingman, the guy holding drinks while Jamie walked out with one, sometimes two girls hanging off him.
Not today.
Not with Helen.
But when he gets close, Helen doesn’t flutter. She doesn’t blush or preen. She frowns, her forehead creasing with gentle lines. To my complete surprise, she shifts closer, her hip brushing mine like she’s seeking my reassurance. Without overthinking it, I put my hand on her waist, digging my fingers into the rubbery surface of her wetsuit, and draw her close, welcoming the sensation of her next to me.
The gesture is designed to comfort her, but it serves another purpose as well.
It’s toclaimher.
We may be “just friends,” but I’ll be damned if I let another guy think he has a chance with her while I’m around, even Jamie.
Maybe it’s selfish.
But any other option?
Unthinkable.
Jamie reaches us. His eyes flick down to where my hand rests on Helen’s waist, fingers splayed. He doesn’t say anything, just tilts his head and lifts one brow in that knowing way of his.
Yeah. We’ll be talking about this later.
Jamie’s never been one to let things slide, especially when it comes tome.
***
Helen
I’m out of breath, just from paddling past the breaking waves. The man next to me is annoyingly unruffled. He straddles his surfboard, legs dangling casually in the water, body moving with easy grace, absorbing the motion of each swell like he was born in the ocean.
I sway dangerously from side to side, struggling to stay upright. Even with my wetsuit, I can feel the cold seep into my skin. It doesn’t matter the season—the Pacific Ocean is always freezing. I push icy, damp strands of hair out of my face, wishing I had put it up in a ponytail.
Next time, I tell myself.
Assuming I don’t make such a fool of myself that thereisno next time. The potential for humiliation is sky-high. Which makes me nervous. Which makes me self-conscious, tongue-tied. I stare at my hands, knuckles bone-white where they grip the rails of the board like I’m clinging to the edge of a cliff. Avoiding Jamie’s gaze, I rack my brain for something witty. This is Teddy’s best friend. It shouldn’t matter, but it does. I want him to like me.
What would Teddy do right now?
Probably make a joke. Say something charming or stupid in a way that makes people laugh, makes themrelax.
I take a breath, trying to channel just an ounce of his easygoing nature. I lift my head and meet Jamie’s eyes.
“Okay,” I say. “Hypothetically, if I try to stand up right now and immediately wipe out, how much pain are we talking?”
Jamie grins, easy and amused. “Somewhere between mild embarrassment and a bruised ego. Maybe a wedgie. Depends on how dramatic your fall is.”
“Excellent,” I sigh. “Can’t wait.”
“You’ll do fine.” He glances toward shore. “Teddytold me you’re a natural.”
