Chapter Twenty-Two

Brandy

"You were right," I said, turning to Wyatt. He looked like such a cool guy in his aviators and white button down shirt with khakis. An especially physically fit, cool guy. And with his tan, there was no denying he lived on the beach.

Wondering how I didn't notice all that yesterday at the pool party, I was mentally slapping myself upside the head. For some reason I could barely look away today.

We walked down, closer to the shoreline and I kicked my foot up, wet sand coming with it. "This is the whitest sand beach I've ever seen."

I looked out and enjoyed watching the water roll ashore. "Too bad the conditions aren't conducive to surfing. I could have used that right about now," he said.

"Well, I, for one, am glad we're not surfing today." I giggled. "I walk into walls and trip over my own two feet. I'm pretty sure I'd fall off a board."

He frowned. "I'd teach you."

I would have liked that, I thought to myself, as we continued walking. With each step we took, I looked down and watched as our hands kept swinging past each other without actually ever touching. They were so close, though, and I wanted so badly to close the gap and have our fingers graze, perhaps even hold his hand in mine. The few times we had held hands, I cherished those moments. I loved the feeling it gave me. I felt so secure, so safe, just holding his hand, knowing he had me. Not that I didn't think he had my back, regardless. After all, he was fake dating me for the weekend just to get my mother off my ass. If that wasn't having someone's back, I didn't know what was.

"I'm surprised you haven't learned to surf before," his voice broke me from my train of thought.

I quirked a brow and scoffed. "Why are you surprised? It's not like I don't enjoy going to the beach because I do." I shrugged my shoulders. "It's just I don't know, I've never had a particular interest in water sports. I'm much more the sit back and take in the sun type," I admitted.

I supposed not knowing how to surf when you lived in Miami was sort of like living in Florida and not knowing how to swim. Probably made no sense. But to me it made perfect sense. I walked on the beach, laid out, enjoyed the occasional dip in the water, but never felt the urge to get out on a board. There were times I risked my life wearing my high heels, I didn't feel the need to risk my life on the water, too. But maybe with Wyatt it wouldn't be a risk, I mused. I could just see him holding me up, helping me. No, I shook my head, no. I couldn't have those thoughts.

A roar of laughter came from him and I swatted his arm. "What's so funny?" I asked, genuinely curious what had him bellowing like that.

Coming to a stop, he answered, "I don't know. Your face just turned from a smile to a grimace and then a scowl in seconds flat." Then he laughed again. "What were you thinking?"

I tried to look as serious as possible just then, but knew I was failing miserably. It was actually nice seeing him so relaxed, so comfortable.

"I don't know," I answered, shrugging my shoulders. No way was I telling him I was thinking about him—again.

"Have it your way."

I looked forward and watched an older couple walking hand in hand ahead of us. I peered at Wyatt out of the corner of my eye and he must have noticed them, too, because his expression softened and he gave me a knowing look. "I think it's sweet," I said, breaking the silence.

"I do, too," he agreed. "Not many people are that lucky, but if you are lucky enough, then you should live your life to the fullest together and enjoy the little moments, never take anything for granted. It's one special and rare opportunity I know I would never take for granted."

I brushed the hair out of my face and looked up at him, my eyebrows scrunched together because even with my sunglasses the rays were still strong. "I wouldn't, either." Then I clarified, "Take it for granted, I mean. I want that one day."

"You'll have it," he said, so calm about the whole thing. Like he, in fact, knew that I would indeed one day have it.

I liked to believe I would, but I honestly wasn't sure. And being here with Wyatt right now, I couldn't imagine meeting a better man. "Hey, thanks for sharing with me about Susan. I know it probably wasn't easy. And I probably pushed more than I should have."

Wyatt pointed at the sand. "Do you mind if we sit?"

I shook my head and bent down before sitting on the sand beside him and pushing out my legs. I rested my flip flops to my side and he did the same. "What you said is true," he told me, "it was hard for me to talk about, but you're wrong about the other the part."

I tilted my head and he swayed into me, his shoulder bumping into mine.

"You didn't push." Then he added, "Not that much."

Now, I swayed into him and pushed him slightly off kilter. "Thanks for saying so."

He smiled, something he was doing more and more of lately. "I'm glad I told you, Brandy."

"Really?" I perked up.

He nodded and leaned over. I watched as he delicately brushed a strand of hair behind my ear that kept blowing in front of my face with the wind. "Really," he whispered and looked into my eyes. I knew we were both wearing sunglasses, but I also knew when he stared at me my entire world came to a screeching halt and this time was no different.

He brought his hand to rest on my cheek and I leaned into his touch, like it was the most natural thing in the world. I didn't ever want this moment to end. I closed my eyes and practically let a sigh of content escape me.

When I opened my eyes I was surprised to catch Wyatt leaning in. He brought his other hand to me and was about to cup my chin when out of nowhere two kids blew past us, yelling, and then a ball landed at our feet.

The intimate moment was gone as fast as it had come.

He dropped his hand and whistled. "I haven't played ball since I was," he paused, "oh, I don't even know. Definitely a kid, though."

"Sorry," one of the boys said and grabbed the ball before running back to the other boy.

We both nodded and before I could see about making that romantic moment happen again, Wyatt grabbed his sandals, got up, and brushed his shorts off. "We should probably head back. We have to get ready for the rehearsal dinner."

I blew outwardly, wishing like hell my luck wasn't so bad that a ball just interrupted our moment. But it had and maybe it was for the best. "You're right. We should head back." I picked up my flip flops and got up, too. Before I turned, though, I decided he should feel a fraction of the way I was feeling right now. "I'll have to take a really long, hot, steamy shower, though. You know, to make sure I wash all this sand away," I said, wiping the tiny beads of sand from my body.

I didn't stop to see his reaction, just turned around and added a little extra sway to my hips as I walked away. Just for him.