AllFreeNovel
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It’s fun, the two of us having this little secret of not being a couple. To everyone else we’re together but to us, we’re helping one another out.
Carter comes and takes a seat at the On the Rocks barstool, and I give him a quick wink. “Shift’s almost over.”
“I know,” Carter responds with a twinkle in his eyes. “That’s why I’m here.”
“Give me ten minutes,” I giggle.
When I finish work, Carter follows me as we take a walk together, and I suggest heading down to the beach.
It’s beautiful out, the sun setting in the distance. It gives the sky countless colors to shine over the water and sand. I see pinks, yellows, purple, and oranges dancing over the water. I point out the beauty in the sky, and Carter stops me.
“Let’s take a picture,” he insists. “It’ll look beautiful.”
I don’t argue with him, and he pulls out his phone, switching to selfie mode and posing next to me. “Smile,” he sings, and takes a few snapshots.
We look at the pictures together, and he was right, they are beautiful. “Send me those when you get a chance,” I tell him eagerly. “Mom will love it.”
“Got it. I’ll show my mom when we see her next.”
We turn to look out at the ocean, and Carter nudges me. “If I worked here, I’d never get tired of this view. It’s incredible.”
“I don’t,” I state honestly. “I get tired of a lot around here, but never the waves crashing and the smell of the salty water. It’s comforting to me.”
Carter decides to sit down in the sand, and I join him.
“Mom was telling me about how you’re becoming a better cook when I talked to her on the phone,” I tease, bumping my shoulder with his. “They really like you, Carter. Not just because you’re sweet to them.”
He flashes his teeth at me. “It’s because I laugh at all your jokes, isn’t it?”
“Well, I mean who wouldn’t laugh at my jokes? I’m hilarious.”
“Your dad is, too. I didn’t notice it when I was there the first time, but I can see where you get your terrible humor.”
I gape, shocked he would say such a thing. “Did you just call my humor terrible? How dare you!”
“I’m kidding, Jada, I’m kidding!” He breaks into a fit of laughter. “You’re actually one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. That’s why I love talking with you.”
I feel a shiver go down my spine at his words, but I don’t exactly know why I do that. Because he thinks I’m funny? I know he does. He always laughs at my jokes. But what is it about him saying it aloud that makes me shiver?
“Anyways,” I go on, clearing my throat and changing the subject. “I brought my swim suit today. I didn’t know you’d be coming so I decided today was a perfect day for a swim. I mean, it’s one of the many perks of working here.”
“Besides working with my sister?”
“Oh, nothing is better than working with Heidi. Even if her brother’s a little corny,” I reply. “But having a private beach to swim on, where I can just relax and enjoy the sunset… it’s probably the best part of working here.”
“I get it. I really see the appeal whenever we hang out here. It’s breathtaking.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about going swimming, I would have made sure you brought a suit.”
Carter holds up his hands. “Hey, don’t stop on my account. I can still join you.”
I cross my arms, my tongue poking the inside of my cheek at the idea of Carter happening to have a bathing suit just sitting in his car. “So, what, you have a suit? Keep it in the glove compartment for emergencies like you’re on BayWatch?”
“First of all, I would be an asset to BayWatch. I’m tall, handsome, and I know how to do CPR.”
“Oh, my mistake!” I feign sincerity.
“And second,” he ticks off on his finger. “I’ll be right back, little Miss Sarcastic.”
