Page 66 of Love You Like This

She looks over at me as we fly down the highway with music blasting, and the beaming smile she aims at me makes my heart feel like it’s exploding. I reach over and grab her hand to bring it to my lips. When I settle our joined hands on my leg, she leans over and kisses my cheek.

I love her.

Holy shit.

I fucking love her.

Realizing this right before she leaves for a quick trip to Palm Springs with her mom before she moves into her dorm really sucks. This is the last night we have alone together. I force the lump in my throat back down. Tonight is about us having fun doing what brought us together in the first place.

The parking lot is crowded, but after a few circles, I find a spot and pull in. I forgo a wetsuit today, but she opts to use one. Even though it’s hot outside today, the water is perpetually chilly. I’m used to it, but she’s not.

We grab our boards and head across the sand, playfully bumping into each other as we go. There are still a lot of beach goers out. Kids play and run along the shore. A handful of surfers bob out in the swells taking turns on the waves coming in.

As we paddle out I take the opportunity to show off with my turtle rolls. She hasn’t felt comfortable trying them yet but loves when I do the maneuver. When we get to a good spot, we both sit up on our boards, legs dangling in the water.

“I could honestly just stay out here for hours,” she says looking out over the horizon.

“Me too. Too bad it gets sharky when the sun starts to set.”

She shrugs. “It’s their home, we’re just visiting.”

“So you would be cool if one took a bite?”

“I’d prefer they didn’t, but I wouldn’t hold it against them.”

“Well I like my limbs attached, personally. So if they’re going to grab me, they better make a feast of me.”

“I like your limbs attached, too.”

Our knees knock into each other’s as we bob in the swells. I reach over and pull her board over until it bumps into mine and kiss her until the water tears us apart again. Her eyes open as she gives me a slow smile.

We spend a couple hours out on the water, taking turns catching waves and cheering each other on. As the sun sinks to just above the horizon and the beach clears out, we surf back to shore. My muscles ache with the comforting strain of a couple hours out on the water.

She strips out of her wetsuit while I put the boards away. What she doesn’t know is that I packed a picnic for us. She walks around to the back of the Jeep with her crocheted cover up on. Her skin has the prettiest glow from the sun.

I pull the beach blanket and cooler out. “Surprise.”

Her eyes sparkle with delight. “A beach picnic?”

“Yep. To watch the sunset.”

She reaches up, wrapping her arms around my neck and presses a kiss to my lips. “I’ve always wanted to do this.”

“I know.”

“Can I carry anything?”

“Do you want to grab my phone from the glove compartment?”

“Sure.”

We walk side by side back onto the sand. I set down the cooler and lay out the blanket. She kicks off her flip flops and sits down, stretching out her long legs. I settle down beside her and open the cooler.

“Here you go,” I say, handing her a Diet Coke.

“Thank you.” She pops the top and takes a drink, giving one of her little delighted moans and wiggling her shoulders.

“Do you have any idea how cute you are when you take your first sip?”