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Sadie shifted awkwardly foot to foot.
April wasn’t budging.
“Diego,” Xander called, jogging up to us. “We’re going to Waldo’s. You coming?”
“Give me a second,” I told him, still eyeing April.
She groaned, passing me her phone. “Just get it over with.”
I filled out the open contact form with my info and then sent myself a text before giving her phone back. “We should meet Sunday to work on the project,” I said, running my fingers through my still damp hair. “Get it out of the way.”
She shifted her hips, drawing my eyes away from hers. They were almost gold in the stadium lights. “Why not tomorrow? The sooner the better.”
“My sister has dance on Saturday, and then I have to work. Nine on Sunday. I’ll come to your place.”
Her eyes widened quickly, and her shoulders tensed. “We can’t do it at my house. The public library should be fine.”
I scoffed. “Thought you wouldn’t want to be seen with me. Just come to my house.” I didn’t want to give up good surfing weather for commuting across town. And my mom always made the best snacks when we had to study. But I wouldn’t tell April I was only motivated by food and surfing.
She opened her mouth to argue, but I turned to catch up with Xander. “You know the address,” I called over my shoulder. “Or at least your dog does.”
Nineteen
April
Jesse askedme to walk Heidi Sunday, so I went to his place in the morning before going to study at Diego’s house. Heidi and I practiced our turns, and she was much quicker to follow my lead this time. When I felt confident she’d stick by my side, we continued on our longer walk. She paraded beside me on the empty beach as waves rolled up to our feet. It was cool in the morning as little dots of saltwater hit my skin.
The smell, a mix of salt and fish and sun, was heavenly. Even if the humidity had my hair doing wild things.
“Heidi, wait,” I said.
She tipped her head back toward me, the little dot of dark brown fur above her golden-brown eyes lifting. Like she was asking me,are you serious?
“It won’t kill you to stand still for a second,” I said, holding her leash between my legs. I never would have done this a couple weeks ago, but she’d been doing so well lately. I pulled the band from around my wrist and lifted the waves from my neck, pulling it all up into a bun.
A seagull swooped by, and Heidi ripped her leash from my legs, happily chasing it.
“Heidi!” I shouted, finishing my bun as I ran after her. I came close to her and stepped on the leash, but my heel got caught in the loop and she pulled me completely over, landing my back in the sand.
“Stop!” I yelled, thankful the beach was empty this morning. If anyone had seen me, I’d bury myself in the sand right now.
My cheeks were hot regardless, as I got up and chased her down the beach. In the direction of Diego’s house.
“Heidi, come back!” I called, hoofing it to the hard-packed sand so I could go faster. Running and I were not friends, but I’d be besties with running if it meant avoiding another run-in with Diego.
His house came closer, the one with a big glass deck and light gray walls.
“Heidi! TREAT!” I yelled, hoping no one would come out on the back porch. And by no one, I meant him. Please not Diego.
But then she romped into the water, acting like she could bite the waves to keep them from coming, and I breathed a sigh of relief, until I saw someone swimming back in on the white, foamy wave. His powerful arms sliced through the water, bringing him closer to shore.
He rose from the water, standing knee-deep for only a moment before Heidi jumped up, putting her paws on his broad chest.
Surprised, he fell over, the water hitting his chest. Heidi happily licked his cheek, his neck, all while I huffed, thinking this scene felt way too familiar. I’d have to tell the Pfanstiels that I couldn’t walk Heidi anymore. I’d be way too busy burying my head in the sand to ever face society with her at my side.
He laughed, sitting up in the water, the waves splashing around his strong torso, and patted her damp shoulders, her neck, her chin.
He looked from Heidi to me, and I braced myself for another lecture about how I was a risk to society. But instead, he smirked and said, “She knew you couldn’t stay away.”
