Tom had surprised me, I have to admit. I’d prepared myself to give him a little Surfing 101, but then he rode that wave like a pro. Wild, but balanced under the shimmer of the midday sun. It was beautiful.
Now, as a perfect day like this comes to an end, I can’t stop thinking that we—our friendship, or maybe even somethingmore— might end the moment he steps onto that plane and flies back to his life halfway across the world.
And he’ll walk away with my heart, because I’m starting to believe it’s his to take.
“Yosh.”
Tom’s voice hits my ears. I recognize my name, but my brain lags like it doesn’t know what to do with it.
“Yosh.” Louder this time, followed by a push against my shoulder. It knocks me back into reality.
“Huh—what? Sorry. I…” My hand flies to my face, shading my eyes from the rippling golden glow on the horizon.
“Your stone-age phone is ringing.”
I stare at him like he’s speaking a different language. Then he lifts my phone into view, the pan flute ringtone pierces my ears.
“Oh. Right, my phone.”
I take it from him and put the call on speaker.
“Hey, cupcake.”
“Hey, sweetheart!”
I match Tiffy’s bubbly energy, immediately catching Tom’s attention
“Listen, babe, me, Shaylon, Naomi, and her new guy, Zion, are heading to Elysia Beach for a barbecue. We’re meeting some of his friends there too. I don’t know if you’re in town, but it’s Saturday, so I figured…Want to come?”
I glance sideways at Tom. He looks at me with pleading puppy eyes.
“I’m with my friend Tom,” I say, putting some extra weight onfriend. “We’re driving back to West Cove. You’re on speaker, by the way.”
“Oh, come on! The two of you should join us, it’ll be fun! We’ve got plenty of food, but my brilliant brother forgot to fill up the cooler. Could you guys pick up a bag of ice on the way?”
My eyes flick back to Tom. He’d love this, which is exactly why I shouldn’t be entertaining it.
But somehow, here we are, because my backbone turns to marshmallow when it comes to him.
I mute the call for a second.
“If you’d rather, we can head straight back to Arcadia.”
“No, I’d love to meet your friends. And besides, I’d pick barbecue any day over those thoughtful kale bowls at Arc.”
“I was going to take you somewhere to eat anyway, so it’s your call.”
He peeks over his shoulder at the guitar still strapped into the backseat.
“Nah, let’s go to the beach. I’m all in for good vibes and music, cupcake.”
I give him my so-manyth punch of the day before unmuting the call.
“We’ll be there in about forty-five minutes, and we’ll bring the ice.”
“Yay! Love you!” Tiffy chirps and hangs up.
I glance over at him. “You sure you’re up for this, Tom?”
