Page 36 of The Golden Scoop

I barely have time to take a breath before she’s flung herself at me, arms wrapping around my neck in a tight embrace. I feel myself getting excited in ways that are very much not helpful right now. But I also don’t want to push her away. Her warmth settles around me like nothing I’ve felt before.

It doesn’t last long. As soon as she realizes the position we’re in, she lets go, taking a step back. Her cheeks are flushed a deep red, and I’m certain it’s not because of the sun.

“You laughed at me,” I joke, trying to ease her awkwardness.

“It was funny.” She shrugs.

I close the gap between us. She doesn’t back away this time.

With my height as an advantage, I sneak my leg under hers, throwing off her balance and dunking her.

“Now we’re even,” I tease when she resurfaces.

My stamina is lacking. Here I thought I was in optimal shape, but clearly there’s a reason Emma beat me in that race. Surfing’s no joke. The feeling of riding a wave is well worth it, but with every push back out into the ocean it’s gotten harder to catch my breath.

After an hour of swallowing more salt water than I’d like to admit, we’re finally taking a break. I’m lying on the sand, with Emma next to me. I’m exhausted, sipping on a cold soda can hoping the caffeine works its magic.

“So, tell me,” I say turning my head toward her, sand sticking to my cheek. “What is it about this that’s so you?”

“Think of it as my bookstore,” she answers.

Her green eyes meet mine, and she’s never looked prettier. Maybe it’s the slight tan on her face, or the way her shoulders are settled into complete relaxation, but I find myself falling a bit more for her.

“It’s just me, and the sea. I don’t have to worry about anything else,” she continues. “Part of it is also thinking about how much life there’s in there, you know. A whole ecosystem. And we’re blessed every day to live so close to it. I think about everyone who takes it for granted, and it pushes me to embrace it as long as I have it.”

“I hate to admit it, but up until today, I might have been one of those people,” I confess. “It’s hard to stick to a hobby that’s so out in the public. The press catches wind of my routines so quick they never stay private long enough for me to enjoy them.”

“I get that. But you only get to live this day once.”

I nod. It’s hard to understand when you’re not in my shoes.

“I don’t want to sound arrogant,” I try explaining anyway. She scoffs—fair. “But I’m very aware of how privileged I am. Not everyone makes it. And all that wealth and fanciness come with sacrifices. You’ve got no idea how much I miss being a nobody sometimes.”

“Then why don’t you act like one?”

“I tried years ago. To go on about my life as if the cameras weren’t there. But they would camp outside my house waiting for my next hike. Eventually I couldn’t even say hi to strangers I would cross paths with because they’d see the cameras and ask for a picture themselves. Sometimes they didn’t even know who I was.”

“Fame and ambition can be lonely,” she adds softly.

There’s a hint of something in her voice. As if she’s lived through the same thing. But I don’t push her, because her eyes… they’re doing a slow run down my chest.

“You can take a picture, it’ll last longer,” I tease. “I won’t charge you.”

Emma rolls her eyes, as dramatic as ever.

“You’re burnt,” she states. “And scratched up from the wax.”

I look down, and sure enough, underneath the sand my chest is bright red. I’m about to inspect the damage, when she sits up and starts dusting off the grains away herself.

Skin against skin.

Again.

“Umm,” I mumble, flushed from the sudden contact. It’s too much in one day. “Mills…”

Something clicks because she stops mid-motion. Our gazes lock, and everything else fades out. No tourists, no noise, no ocean, just her hands on me. My heart beats like it’s ready to take off. The world’s narrowed down to the exact place she’s touching.

Neither of us moves at first. Then the distance starts to close, slow and unsure. I don’t even know who leans in, just that she’s not stopping it. Not this time.