Chapter 18

Iclosed my eyes, basking in the warmth of the midday sun. The salty breeze danced through my hair, playfully tousling it. The shimmering waters of the Intracoastal Waterway stretched out in front of me. The tall grasses swayed gently in the salty breeze, painting a picturesque scene that felt like a secret hideaway. Isle of Palms had plenty of luxurious beachfront properties, but I found myself drawn to the serene tranquility of a marsh view.

Danielle glided onto the porch with two tall glasses of ice-cold lemonade, condensation glistening on the sides.

"The audacity that man has," Danielle shook her head as she sunk into the matching white rocking chair beside me.

I continued to pour out every detail about the tumultuous situation with Brett and Angelica. When I finally wrapped up my sob story, I told Danielle, "I'm going to his housewarming party."

Her eyes widened, "You're just going to casually attend Brett's housewarming party?"

"I'm attending as his real estate agent, not his ex-girlfriend," I explained.

"But you are his ex," she sighed. "You shouldn't go alone. Do you want me to go with you?"

"I'm not going alone," I smiled as I spoke. I could feel my cheeks blushing. My fair skin never hid my emotions well.

Danielle placed her glass on the table and crossed her legs, drawing them to her chest. The soft fabric of her skirt cascaded over her knees.

"Who are you taking?" she asked.

"Guess," I teased her.

"Noah?" she guessed.

"Nope! Good guess, though."

"Wait," she squealed, "the skater boy?"

"I mean," I shrugged, "why not?"

"You know Brett is going to hate that," she giggled. "He looks down on every man who doesn't dress like he's headed to play golf. Brett has, what, fifteen designer suits? He's a snob, Kenna."

"I'm not taking him to get a rise out of Brett. It's more for emotional support," I explained. "It's random, I know, but Mason has been a good friend."

"Oh, so you're using the skater boy for emotional support. He's not a dog, Kenna."

"Danielle!"

"I'm just teasing you," she said. "I know you would never use anyone. Just make sure he knows your intentions. He probably thinks he has a chance with you."

"Oh, no. We're very strictly friends," I explained. "We're, like, completely different people. I can tell he has zero interest in me."

"As long as you know what you're doing," she said.

"I have no clue what I'm doing," I laughed. "I'm winging it, and you know I'm not someone who usually does that."

She lifted the frosty glass of lemonade from the table and brought it to meet mine with a crisp clink. "To winging it," she said.

The familiar buzz of my phone echoed off the glass surface of the outdoor table. I couldn't ignore it. As a professional, I felt obligated to always be available, and it was still business hours.

Skater Boy: Want to come watch a skateboarding competition?

"Well, that's different," I whispered.

"What?" Danielle glanced over my shoulder at the message. "You should go!"

"I should?"

"Yes! I mean, you said it yourself. He's been a good friend to you. Maybe you should be a good friend to him."

Me:Sure?

"You don"t sound enthusiastic," Danielle scolded me. "And why did you use a question mark?"

"Stop!" I laughed. "You're stressing me out."

Me:When?

Me:Where?

Skater Boy:Downtown at 5. I'm competing.

Skater Boy:I'll send you a location pin. It's under the bridge.

"Under the bridge," I repeated to Danielle, "that doesn't sound sketchy at all!"

"I'm sure it's a popular spot. Live a little, Kenna," she said.

I ignored my best friend, who wasn't wrong, and typed out my response to Mason.

Me:I'll be there!

Skater Boy:You don't have to. I just thought you might like to check it out.

"Does he want me to go or not?" I asked Danielle, showing her his last message.

"He obviously wants you to go," she laughed. "He's just trying to play it cool. You can be so dense sometimes."

"Please come with me," I begged my best friend.

"I can't! You know dinner is already in the oven," she said.

"Can't Jeremy watch it?" I pouted.

"Jeremy is on that conference call. Remember? I have no idea when it will end."

"Oh, duh," I smacked my forehead. "Fine, I'll go alone."

A mixture of excitement and anxiety fluttered in my stomach.

"I'll be with you in spirit," she promised.

"Yes, I know," I said as I hugged my best friend goodbye.

"Good luck!"

∞∞∞

Glancing out my window, my gaze traveled across the sea of motionless vehicles. The driver to my left drummed his fingers on his steering wheels, desperate for any sign of movement in the stagnant sea of cars.

I was stuck in Mount Pleasant's thick, rush hour traffic for a grueling fifty-five minutes.

I had hoped to make a quick stop at my apartment to change into something more comfortable, but the thought of sacrificing another twenty minutes made me reconsider. The goal was to be casually late to the competition, not rudely late. I had no idea when Mason would be competing, and I didn't want to miss it.

Wedges and a sundress were a bit much for a skateboarding competition, but my outfit would have to do. I knew I'd probably stick out like a sore thumb, but at least I looked nice. It was better than the alternative.

My car's tires hummed and then fell silent as I turned off the main road onto a smaller, unmarked one. The expected crunch of gravel didn't come, and I gripped the steering wheel tightly in confusion. An asphalt road was not what I was expecting. I sighed in relief when I spotted Mason's car in an obvious parking area.

When I stepped out of my car, my espadrille wedges touched the dirt, faux parking lot.

It was official. I was out of my element.

I glanced at the cluster of skateboarders yards away, already busy doing tricks. I could barely hear the wheels against concrete over the rumble of cars on the bridge overhead. I smoothed my turquoise A-line sundress and walked towards the chorus of skateboards.