Page 68 of Closer than Ever

“Wise move,” Hayley said, kneeling on her board and relaxing into it. “Ahhhh, this is so fucking cool.”

The water was relatively calm. A gentle wave came every now and again, barely registering underneath them. “It is. Where do you want to go?”

“Everywhere.”

“What?”

Hayley smiled and lay back on her board. She lifted her knees up and looked up at the sky. “Look up.”

Anna lifted her head. It was very blue. Blinding, even.

“Want to just drift here like this for a bit?” Hayley’s voice was low.

Anna liked the sound of that. “Sure.” She copied Hayley’s position and lay with her back on the board and knees tucked up. The water gently lapped at the boards.

An easy silence opened up between them. She went right back to that night again. Hayley’s lips had been so soft. She was a good kisser. Even though it was ten years ago, it still felt like yesterday in some ways. Anna shook her head. She had to stop doing this. It was getting tiresome.

Hayley splashed some water over at Anna. It got her in the face. She swallowed a bit of water, tasting salt and seaweed. “Ew!”

Hayley grinned.

“You cheeky little?”

Hayley splashed her again.

“That’s it. I’m coming for you.” Anna splashed Hayley fiercely, getting her all over.

Hayley let out little screams, mostly of delight. “You’re relentless, stop!”

“Never!”

They settled down after a few minutes and paddled along the shore. In the direct sunshine, Anna bathed in the warm rays as she followed behind Hayley. Her chest felt warm and full, but not just from the sunny day and beautiful surroundings.

Standing up, Hayley paddled in front of her leading the way.

Anna stopped paddling and floated on her board on her knees. Hayley had grown and matured into a beautiful, intelligent and passionate woman. Being with Hayley on this trip had given her a new lease of life. Being around Hayley lifted her. It was special. Hayley was special. What they were sharing on this trip had gone beyond Anna’s wildest expectations. Her whole world had lit up. She couldn’t stop thinking about her even though she spent every waking moment around her.

Oh no.

God no.

Fuck.

Anna took a deep breath. She was in love. She had fallen in love all over again, but deeper and harder this time. Not only did she still have feelings for Hayley, but they were stronger now. So much stronger. Her feelings in the past felt like child’s play compared to this. Fuck. She had it bad. How had this happened?

This wasn’t good. Hayley didn’t like Anna in that way. They’d discovered that loud and clear in the past, in the most painful and embarrassing way possible. No. There was no way Anna was going to put herself in that situation again. She had to get this under control or else she’d only end up right back where she was in her twenties: heartbroken and alone without any desire to move on and meet someone else and without Hayley as a friend.

Back on the beach, Anna got out of her wetsuit clumsily, feeling highly aware of the fact that she was in a very skimpy bikini. Anna kept glancing over at Hayley in her bikini, struggling not to look and annoyed at herself by it.

Hayley lay down on her beach towel and picked up her Kindle. Even with her sunglasses on, Anna could tell Hayley was watching her, but she couldn’t tell what Hayley was thinking. It was equal parts exhilarating and confusing.

Anna lay down beside her, too distracted to read or listen to anything. She looked towards the water, gleaming and inviting with the sun shining off it. Her eyes fell on Hayley’s mostly naked body stretched out beside her. Hayley’s legs were crossed at the ankles. It felt so good to look. Too good. It was torture.

Hayley lay her Kindle on her toned tummy and turned her head towards Anna. She pushed up her sunglasses and stared at her. “How did it go when you came out? With your family, I mean.”

Anna’s brow furrowed. Hayley stopped replying not long after Anna came out to her in an email. “Er. It went well. My family were great about it. They were supportive and said they weren’t surprised. I had it very easy. I was very lucky.”

Hayley nodded. “I’m happy to hear that.”

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