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Our fingers are pruney by the time we emerge. My stomach growls as we gather our things. “I gotta stop by the surf shop and grab my things. Want to eat at the hot dog stand a little ways down the boardwalk?”
“Sure,” Maia says as she gathers the items she brought and stuffs them in a bag. “I’ll follow you.”
After I drop off my board and pick up my things, I grab my phone and check the time. Damn, it’s almost four already. No wonder I’m starving. I punch out and find Maia waiting for me outside the shop.
That’s a sight I could get used to.
My eyes travel down her body, her bikini showcasing every curve, bringing all of them to my attention in the most irresistible way. I swallow hard and pray my dick behaves. With how thick it’s grown in the last few seconds, I doubt it will.
I also doubt Maia notices me checking her out as she glances around like she’s looking for something or someone. “Everything good?”
“Yeah. But hey, I was wondering if we could go somewhere else to eat. I’m not really feeling hot dogs today,” Maia says. I notice a slight tremble in her voice.
“Yeah, that’s fine.” I scratch the back of my head and wonder why the sudden shift in demeanor. Why does she all of sudden look like she wants to be anywhere but here? Did I do something wrong?
“Any place in mind?” I ask.
“Uh, no…” She hurries in the opposite direction of the various food trucks and stands.
“Where are you going? Most of the food choices are back this way,” I say as I jog to catch up with her. “Maia, wait up. What’s the rush?” I grab her arm.
She stops and turns around, but her attention isn’t on me. It’s somewhere beyond where I stand, and she looks worried. After a few seconds of searching, her eyes finally land on mine, and her body visibly relaxes. “I saw Alex earlier. Near the hot dog stand.”
Maia starts walking again, this time at a more casual pace, and I fall into step beside her. “If he saw us together, he’d flip out. He doesn’t understand the whole ‘just friends’ thing.”
A weird feeling settles in my stomach. This doesn’t feel right. The last thing I want is conflict with Maia or her boyfriend. Or to know I came between them; we’re only friends, but I doubt Alex sees it that way. “Listen, Maia.” I sigh and run a hand through my hair. “I don’t want to step on any toes or get in the way of your relationship with Alex. I’d rather go find him and say hi than hide.”
“It’s easier this way. Trust me.”
“If you say so.” A part of me knows if we find him, he’ll snatch Maia away, and there goes any time together. But at the same time, it feels wrong, like I’m taking someone’s girlfriend, and I’m not okay with that. “Did you have plans to meet up with him?”
“No. Why?” She stops in her tracks and crosses her arms over her chest.
Aw shit, she’s annoyed with me.
“I don’t know. I thought maybe he was looking for you.”
“You know what, Rhett. Maybe you’re right. I should go find Alex. Let’s just leave it at surf lessons.”
“Uh, okay,” Her sudden snippy voice and tight body posture throw me for a loop. “Did I say something to offend you?”
Maia shakes her head. “You don’t want conflict. Us hanging out brings that unfortunately. Alex isn’t the laid-back type. So it’s best to leave it at surf lessons and nothing more.”
My stomach sinks, but I plaster a smile on my face anyway. “Yeah, it makes sense,” I say because what else can I say? I said I didn’t want any secrets when it comes to Alex, and this proves our friendship would need to remain a secret. That’s not good for any type of relationship, but especially not for a couple.
But the thought of not hanging out with her sucks the joy straight out of me. Why? I don’t know. How? I don’t fucking know.
“I’ll see you later, then? Text me next time we can do a lesson.”
“Wait. Maia.” Why does this feel so fucking crappy?
She waits for me to say something, and I stand there like a damn idiot.
I ignore the voice in my head yelling at me, the warning bells ringing loud and clear.
“Fuck it. Let’s get out of here.”
* * *
