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“Thank you so much,” Taylor says, grabbing her phone to scroll through the photos. “You guys, these look awesome.”
I shout from the sand, “Yeah, I’d be saying the same thing from up there, too.”
Taylor looks down at me. “Girl, I’m so sorry. Maybe next time.”
I hear Mason yell out, “Okay, can we get the hell out of here now? I’m starting to suffocate. Claustrophobia is settling in, bitches.”
“Yeah, dig us out now, please,” Ryker says.
“Hmmm . . . what do you think, guys? Should we get these three out of here?” Zayn teases.
“Nah, let’s leave ‘em,” Natalie says. The three of them must have exchanged some type of wink or private gesture, because they disappear behind us and out of view.
“Ha ha, you guys. Very funny,” I say.
They all aren’t there, or at least, we still can’t see them. Mason yells out, “Yup. This is it. I knew this is how I would die.”
“Oh, Mason, stop,” I say with a chuckle.
Sure enough, I hear Zayn’s laugh in the distance. “Okay, sorry. We had to though, you know?” Zayn says to us as they reappear in front of us.
They all get on their hands and knees and start digging us out.
Once we’re free, Mason, Ryker, and I all run into the water to wash the mud and sand off our bodies, splashing each other playfully. I sign and float, letting the ocean waves wash over me as I relax in the water. Despite a few rough waves, the water is so comforting. I look towards the sky and realize how truly happy I am in this moment. I think Summer would be proud. I’m completing the list, I’m being adventurous and stepping out of my comfort zone, and most importantly, I’m realizing that I have some awesome relationships here in my hometown—both new and old.
Dusk settles in on our beach day. Zayn and I tell our friends goodbye and begin walking back to the beach house. On the way to it, he says, “Hey, will Quinton be okay on his own a little longer?”
“He should be fine,” I say. “Why do you ask?”
“Because I don’t know about you, but I’m already hungry again. Would it be cool with you if we got some take out and ate it back at your place?”
“That sounds perfect,” I say, hearing the grumble of my stomach over the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. “I could really go for some pizza, actually. Is Anthony’s still around?”
Zayn’s eyes light up at the mention of it. “Yes, it is. It’s always been one of my favorites,” he tells me. “We should definitely go.”
* * *
We graba large pepperoni pizza to go and head back to the beach house. By the time we finally make it back, the sun is about to set. I unlock the door and turn on the lights. Zayn gets plates and I grab us some water from the fridge.
I check on Quinton, who is, as usual, sound asleep. Zayn brings over a slice of pizza on a plate for me and sets in on the table. He pulls out my chair and I begin making my way over.
“Let’s put some towels down so we don’t get the chairs all gross from sweat and sand,” Zayn offers.
“Good idea.” I pull out fresh towels from the linen closet and set them on each of the chairs. We both sit down and begin scarfing down the slices of pizza. I chug back my glass of water.
“We ate that so quickly,” he remarks.
“Yeah, I’m glad you brought up food because I was dying to eat,” I say.
“Starting to sound like Mason a bit, huh?” He teases.
“Touché.” I smile and then look down at my sunburned body, hoping it will turn into a nice tan. I’m still covered in sand and should really take a shower, but then a better idea comes across my mind. “Hey, this might sound crazy, but do you have one more adventure left in you for the day?”
Zayn perks up and clears his throat.
“Shit, notthatone,” I say. My cheeks flush at his first thought and I swallow the lump that’s formed in my throat. “No, silly. I meant, let’s skinny dip.”
“Is there a pool nearby?” he asks.
