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She flushes. “Thanks.”
I settle one hand against her knee and rub it. “It’s going to go great.”
“He wants to win.” Laney’s worry shines through. “I told him to tamper his expectations, but–”
“You don’t believe he can?”
She rolls her eyes. “That’s not what I mean, you know that’s not what I mean.”
“I know.” I press a kiss to her bare shoulder.
She’s wearing the most darling striped sundress today that makes her look innocent and coquettish.
I already had her once back at my apartment, but it’s just so goddamn sexy it makes it difficult to focus.
“I don’t want him to hurt himself because he’s trying too hard.” She positions the binoculars over her eyes.
“Laney?” I know she won’t look at me. She’s focused. As she should be. This is Nate’s big day. She’s here to support him.
And I am too, I’m his best friend.
But she’s the love of my life. I’m here to support her more than anyone.
I pull a strand of her blonde hair that’s come loose from her ponytail back behind her ear. “With you, Nate can do anything.”
Laney does a doubletake toward me, a warm and grateful smile appearing on her lips.
“I mean it.”
“I know you do,” she says. “That’s why I’m smiling so big.”
The announcer calls out Nate’s name and number, the noise crackling through speakers somewhere down the beach.
Laney snaps right back to attention, gluing the binoculars to her face.
I squeeze her knee. My heart pumps. I’m nervous too. I’d rather be celebrating Nate’s accomplishment later than trying to pick him up off the ground when he’s heavy with disappointment.
Sure, he should be proud that he’s come this far in less than a year since his accident. He should be proud that he’s not just healed, but stronger than ever.
Shoulds don’t always make up for our feelings, though. I mean, take our relationship with Laney as a case and point.
We all believed at some point that relationshipsshouldlook a certain way. Once we broke free of that should, we found a happiness that no amount of money could buy.
So, I get it. Nateshouldbe proud for so many reasons.
But we are used to our greatest fantasies coming to fruition.
We watch as the wave comes rolling in, and Nate rushes to meet it, turning on a dime and “lifting off,” popping up to his feet at the crest of the wave.
And then he rides, low and steady, at complete peace,though the power of the wave rolls and stampedes toward the shore.
His Zen is incredible.
Not only is the world around him rumbling and rushing, but this is the exact beach where he had his accident, where surfing, his greatest love aside from Laney, betrayed him.
You wouldn’t know that in his confident posture, the windswept blond hair, the way his muscles move and ripple.
When the wave gives out below him, he coasts toward the shore as if it’s nothing. Doesn’t wipe out, doesn’t tumble into the water.
