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“But, hey, enough talk about how much we both hate people. We have the entire beach to ourselves. Let’s go out there and enjoy it!” Alistair reached into the back and grabbed the towel and basket. Then he skipped over to Amelia’s side and opened the passenger door for her. “Shall we?” he asked, extending a hand out to her.
“We shall,” she responded and grabbed it, allowing him to lift her off her seat, her skirt bunched up behind her.
He continued to hold her hand as he led her out to the vast open shore before them. The waves swayed gently across the water, colliding with the sand before stealing some away as they retreated to where they started. Alistair unfolded the towel just a few feet from the frigid water, and they both sat down and leaned back, their elbows digging into the sand and creating craters beneath them.
“Tell me, Amelia. Why don’t you like going to the beach?” Alistair asked after staring out into the ocean for quite some time.
“When did I say I don’t like it?”
“You didn’t. But you did mention how you don’t go often, and your lack of a swimsuit makes me think that you prefer going somewhere else during your free time.”
“It’s true. I’m more of a mountain girl. There’s just something about standing up at the tallest peak you can find and looking down at the vast wonders below you that can’t be replaced by water and sand, you know?”
“I totally get what you mean. I myself enjoy mountains much more than beaches also. But I think the journey is what I’m more drawn to than the destination. It just feels very rewarding knowing that despite the struggle, the hard work I put into something will eventually pay off.” Alistair agreed.
“So, would you say competition is more your style than remaining laidback and passive?” Amelia asked, causing Alistair to form a perplexed look on his face.
“Uhm, I guess. I tend to see myself as a go-getter.”
“Well…,” Amelia quickly stood up and tapped Alistair on the shoulder, “you’re it! Catch me before I reach the lifeguard post, and you win.” She bolted off, her laughter trailing behind.
“Oh, you’re on,” Alistair shouted back and quickly stood up, running after her.
Amelia was a track star in high school, and was pretty fast for a girl. She saw herself as a competitive person as well, and she was certain that she’d win the race. However, less than ten feet from the finish line, Amelia found herself being hoisted into the air. Alistair had caught up to her and grabbed her by the waist, swinging her in the air, the two of them laughing.
“Gotcha!” He chuckled. Then he swung Amelia around one more time before laying her down against the stand, hovering over her as he said, “Told you I’m competitive. I also had an unfair advantage. I was a track star in high school.”
“So was I!” Amelia yelled back. “I just don’t have ten pounds of muscle in each leg to propel me forward.” She playfully hit Alistair on the chest, her fingers trailing down his abs as she brought her hand back into herself.
The two fell silent for a moment as they both gazed into each other’s eyes.
“Are you feeling what I’m feeling?” Alistair finally asked.
“Cold?” Amelia responded.
“Exactly. We should get back to the car. We can eat our lunch in there.”
Amelia nodded, and as she stood up, Alistair wrapped his strong arms around her. She could feel his hard abs pressed against the side of her body, and she felt her heart skipping faster and faster as he breathed down her neck. He’d pulled her so close to him that any closer, they’d become one person. And when Alistair thought she wouldn’t notice, he leaned down and kissed the top of her head, causing a smile to form on Amelia’s face.
When they eventually got back to the car, Alistair cranked the heat up and pulled his jacket out from the trunk for her to wrap around herself. It smelled of old spice and vanilla, just like he’d smelled on their first date. She pulled it tighter around herself, crossing one leg over the other for extra warmth.
He noticed and reached his hand back to pull the towel up front. “Here, use this to warm up your legs.”
“What about you? Aren’t you cold?”
Alistair shrugged. “Don’t worry about me. I can stand it. You need it more than I do.”
“Thank you.” She took a bite of the turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich that Aunt Evelyne had prepared for them, and then swallowed hard. “Hey, Alistair?”
“Yeah?” he asked after taking a bite from his own sandwich.
“I think I’m ready to talk about my past relationship now.”
At that, he lowered his sandwich back down, shifted his body closer to her, and gave her his full attention. “I’m all ears. Treat me like I’m a therapist.”
She giggled. “Should I lie back also?”
“If you want.”
