Page 55 of Chasing Clouds

She rolls her bottom lip in between her teeth and bites down. Memories of last night and me doing the same thing to her flash through my mind, and I suddenly have the urge to pull her across the table and kiss her.

“All right you two.” Ella is back, and I pull my hand away. She takes our order, drops two glasses of water, and is on her way.

“I think, for however long we’re here, I just want this to feel like a vacation—a well-earned one,” she states. “How about you?”

Shifting, I lean back and stretch my legs out until my feet bump the legs of her chair. “I’m down for that. I can’t remember the last time I took a real vacation, if ever.”

“Not even for spring break in college?” She moves and crosses her legs, giving me more room under the tiny table.

“Nope, not even then. I always went home to see my mom and Nate.” Looking out the window, I see the sun has started to dip below the water line, and I tell her, “I’ve never seen a sunset before.”

“What? How is that possible?” she asks, looking between me and the sunset.

“Grew up on the East Coast. I’ve seen plenty of sunrises, but nothing like this.”

“You’ve been in Tampa for how long and you’ve never watched a sunset?”

“I’ve only been here for a year. I was drafted out of college to the Washington Wolves, and before you say, ‘But they’re on the West Coast,’ it’s just different. We get up so early for practice, and I’m tired at night. It was overcast all the time, and it wasn’t something I’ve ever thought about doing. Not once have I ever said to myself, ‘Today I’m going to invite my teammates to take a trip to the beach with me to watch the sunset.’”

She giggles. “You could have invited a girl.”

“That’s a hard no. Inviting a girl to do that definitely gives them the wrong impression, and I don’t have time to deal with that mess.”

“I get it. How long were you there?”

“I played with them for three years and then got traded to the Tarpons. I just signed a five-year contract with them.” I can’t help the smile that overtakes me. I really am proud of that contract. I’ve worked hard to earn my place on a team.

“Reid, that’s great! You must be so excited.” Her face lights up, and pride washes through me.

“Yeah, I am excited. I really do like it here in Florida. The team has a vision and goals that align with mine, what I would like for my career, and I don’t think I could be at a better place. Knock on wood, right?”

She knocks on the table then we both watch as the sun disappears, leaving behind a faint glow.

After dinner, we make our way back to the house hand in hand. While we’re unloading the car, I look around and spot a teenage boy across the street, leaning against his porch railing and eyeing us like we’re breaking and entering. His posture is crazy tense, his arms are crossed over his chest, and his glare looks downright vicious. I chuckle to myself, thinking he must be friends with Drew and Beau too.

THIS BEACH HOUSE is a vacationer’s dream home. In fact, I think it could be anyone’s dream home, even if they don’t love the beach. As many times as Ali has talked about this place, it never occurred to me that she was leaving this behind. Tall spacious ceilings, large oversized comfortable pieces of furniture, lots of windows, and a kitchen that’s open to the living room, creating a great room. On the bottom level there’s a guest room, and upstairs there are two bedrooms, one being Drew and Ali’s and the other more of an office and storage room.

We decided the guest room downstairs was the best room for us, and that was that. We never talked about sleeping separate, and he never mentioned taking the couch to give me space; we just climbed into bed together like we’ve been doing it for years instead of since just yesterday. We fell asleep snuggled up next to each other, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Sunlight has just started to peek its way into the room when he stirs. Slowly, his warm hand slides over my waist, across my stomach, and he pulls me back against his bare chest. He curls around me, wrapping me up tight, and a sigh escapes me. I could get used to this. We stay this way for about ten minutes, and I’m just about to drift back to sleep when he kisses my shoulder, runs his hand over my hip and across my thigh, and then slips out of the bed. My back instantly cools, missing him.

Instead of heading to the bathroom, he grabs his bag, puts it on the edge of the bed, and starts digging through it.

“What are you doing?” I ask, sitting up, knowing I look like a hot mess.

“I need to work out.”

My gaze skims over the muscles in his arms, chest, and stomach. His dark hair is sticking up everywhere, and he’s standing in front of me in just a pair of boxer briefs. My mouth goes dry as I take all of him in.

“Now?”

He smirks at me. “I’ll be back in an hour or two, and then we can make some plans for while we’re here. How does that sound?”

“Sounds good, but where are you going?” I lean back against the headboard and fold my legs up in front of me.

“Just outside. I can go for a run and then do some body weight exercises in the back yard. Later today I’ll look for a gym to hit up while we’re here.”

“Can I watch?” I’m teasing him, but his head pops up and he looks at me—like really looks at me.