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He chuckles as we walk toward the jet ski rental place.
Now it’s time to have some fun.
I feel his eyes on me as I take off my dress. It feels oddly intimate even though he saw me in a bikini yesterday.
I could’ve sworn I saw him checking me out, but I think it was just in my imagination. It has been a while since I’ve had someone look at me longingly.
Danielle would argue that men do check me out and that when I’ve got my blinders up, I just don’t notice.
I don’t agree with her theory, but there’s only so much arguing you can do until you relent and let your best friend tell you that no guy deserves you anyway.
It’s not that I don’t see guys checking me out, I just know that they’ll move onto something better. Someone thinner, someone prettier, someone funnier. Dating more than my fair share of toxic men has really done a number on my self-esteem.
Recently, I’ve been trying to accept that I’m worthy of guys finding me attractive, but I don’t think Aaron does. Even if he did, it wouldn’t work. I can’t even begin to think about it. It would send me into a spiral.
He takes off his shirt and I instantly want to retract all my thoughts. How did they not getthaton camera?
I have to actively stop myself from drooling at his toned, built body.
“Didn’t you say you’re a business guy? How’d you get in shape?” asks the guy behind the counter. His name tag readsNathan.
I look at Aaron, wondering if he’ll be offended.
He chuckles and something in me flutters.
“I have workout equipment in my office. When I’m stressed I try to do things that help release endorphins, and given that I’m pretty much always stressed, I make good use of it.”
I nod along with Nathan. It makes sense, but it also sounds insane.
“…And I have a strict diet of tears and pizza.”
We all laugh.
I put on the lifejacket and pump my fist. “No more procrastinating, kids. Let’s do this!”
I don’t know what’s gotten into me, but I feel… happy. I’ve missed this feeling, a lot.
Aaron secures his lifejacket and runs after me.
We take some time to get our bearings before we set the parameters of our race and what constitutes a win.
I put my fist out for Aaron to bump it, in the spirit of being a good sport.
I can’t quite read his facial expression, but his eyes have a hint of mischief in them.
He bumps my fist, and we do a countdown.
I take off as fast as I can, swerving in and out of the obstacles.
The path takes us through an open cave, and I try my best to focus on the race, but the view is breathtaking. The light hits just right and forms a rainbow.
I can feel Aaron following close behind, though, and my competitive side quickly takes over.
I zoom through the cave and around the next marker. It’s a sharp turn and I do my best to make sure I don’t flip myself over.
I laugh as I catch a glimpse of Aaron’s determined face. I like that he’s taking this just as seriously as I am.
I suppose you don’t get far in business without having a competitive side.
