Page 49 of The Seashell of ’Ohana

When I was younger, I had been hit by a large wave that had not only taken me under but held me prisoner in its tumble. That wave, that childhood terror was the reason playing in the surf made me anxious.

I froze and clasped my hands under my chin. Ian glimpsed my expression and grew serious.

“Abby, go down as far as you can, all the way down. I’ll find you.”

I trusted him. Without hesitation, I sucked in a lung full of air and dropped as far as I could. Just as the water slammed into me, Ian wrapped his arms and legs around me like a net.

We somersaulted and toppled sideways, and the next thing I knew, we flopped, my back on the sand and Ian on top of me. Both of our chests heaved, breaths colliding together.

Ian pushed my hair away from my face. “Are you okay?”

Oh, God. The rush from the danger. His body over me, one leg between mine in an intimate way. My breath caught.

“That was wild and fun. I can’t believe I’m not freaking out. Getting slammed by a giant wave was never on my bucket list, but I’m going to put it on the top of my list and check it off.”

Ian plopped next to me and chuckled. “I never landed on top of anyone in the water before. Bucket list. Check.”

I turned to him, water lapping by my feet. “Is that allowed? Adding something to the bucket list after we do it?”

His eyes gleamed under the silver moon and the stars. The slow curve of his full lips, and the way his knuckle caressed my cheek—warmth spread through my body. The magic of the moment drove away all thoughts as my pulse quickened, reminding me I was alive. Not just a mother but a woman.

Friends. We’re friends. But can two single people be friends? Yes, they can. I’d had guy friends in college, but those friendships had dissipated after Steve and I became a couple. This is different.

I shivered. The adrenaline pumping through me had kept me warm, or at least oblivious, but the wind chilled my wet limbs once the ocean no longer had me in its cocoon.

Ian jerked his hand back, as if finally realizing what he was doing. It seemed we were both victims of this magical night.

“We should go before you catch a cold.” Ian offered his hand, and I took it.

I dragged my wet feet across the sand, my limbs trembling. We gathered our stuff, and Ian tossed the blanket around us.

“So, here’s our story,” he said. “You fell in the water, and when I tried to help you, you pulled me in.”

“What?” I snorted. “They’re not going to believe you.”

“Come on, Abby. We’re a team.” Ian’s voice dipped playfully. “Or I can tell them that we went skinny dipping.”

“What?” I laughed harder. “They’ll never believe you. Our clothes are wet. But, fine. I’ll take the first excuse.”

Chapter Nineteen — Home Sweet Home

Ian opened the double glass door, and I tried to tiptoe inside without noticing, but all heads turned toward us. Tyler blinked, looking confused, while every other adult’s mouth fell open. Heat rushed up to my neck, warming my every inch.

They hadn’t moved. They were still playing video games on the big screen and lounging on the sofa.

“Are you two okay?” Lee asked hesitantly.

“Yeah,” Ian said nonchalantly. “We were talking and got too close to the water. A huge wave crashed over us.”

My sister perked her lips as if she was trying to hold in a laugh. Stella and Isaac quirked their eyebrows.

“Anyway, get back to whatever you were doing.” Ian guided me toward the hall. “I’m going to take Abby to the restroom so we can take a shower. I mean, not together. Separate.”

I didn’t think I could blush any harder, but my face flamed so hot, my eyes watered. Blimey.

Ian guided me around the corner and passed the foyer to the other side, then three bedrooms. The last one was his. Ian’s bedroom was double the size of mine.

A sofa rested by the window, across from a large TV. The furniture was modern, and the room was simply designed. No paintings hung, and no photos were laid out on his dresser.