Page 74 of Paparazzi Perfect
A large school of colorful fish swam toward us. Tyler—afraid he was being attacked—accidentally swallowed a mouthful of salty water. Tyler spluttered as he hurried ashore. Laughing, we followed behind.
I grabbed my towel and watched a surfer catch a wave. A smile tugged at my lips as I remembered Ivy promising to teach me.
“No matter how often I come here,” Tyler said, glancing my way, “I’m always surprised at how shredded everyone is.” He laughed as he looked around. “Remind me to start working out more between assignments.”
Jamie sprang to her feet. “Hey, guys, who’s up for a game?” she asked, pulling a soccer ball out of her bag.
“I’m up for that.” My toes dug into the sand as I sprang up.
“Me too. Let’s go,” Tyler said, his smile lingering on Jamie.
She met his gaze, tilting her head to one side as she kicked the ball to him.
After he returned it, she juggled it over to a bare stretch of sand as he watched in awe.
I slapped him on the shoulder. “You should ask her out, man,” I said, then ran over to Jamie. Tyler followed, grinning sheepishly.
In a last-second dash, she blocked him from kicking the ball across the line we’d drawn in the sand. “Sorry, Tyler, I’m just too good,” she teased with a cheeky smile.
He laughed and threw his hands up in surrender.
We retreated to our towels; the sun tingled on my skin, a cool breeze swept over me, and I closed my eyes, soaking it in. But there was still a void in my chest. I could never fill it, not until things were right again.
“Who’s up for another swim?” said Tyler. “Last one in pays for lunch!” He whooped and hollered as he sprinted down to the water’s edge with Jamie right beside him.
They jumped into the crashing waves, diving under when they reached the deeper turquoise water.
Guess I’m paying, then,I laughed to myself as I pulled myself lazily off my towel and dawdled down to the water. After our swim, we dried off and headed toward the cafes across the road.
“I’m famished,” Jamie said as we wandered up to the shops.
“Same. What about that place?” Tyler gestured to the burger chain across the road.
“I’m in,” I answered.
After we found a seat, we feasted on burgers and I chugged iced tea as Tyler and Jamie nervously snuck flirty looks at each other.
That feeling was familiar to me. I’d had it the night I met Ivy on the Gold Coast—like the flick of a switch, flooding me withlight. “Guys,” I said, rising to my feet after I polished off my fries, “this has been fun, but I’ve got assignments to finish. I’ll get the bill.”
“Good luck, man,” Tyler said. “And thanks for covering lunch.” He smoothed his still-damp hair.
“Yeah, thanks, Karson. And if there are any issues with your assignments, just ask Kelvin for help,” Jamie said before her attention wandered back to Tyler.
“Good tip.”If only she knew how much Kelvin’s helped already. “See you guys in class.”
I paid the bill and made my way back to where Gus was waiting. With every step, I wondered what else Kelvin would unearth about the hidden companies…
It was like waiting for a bomb to detonate…
I just hope Kelvin can defuse it in time.
***
I stepped toward the back door of the Range Rover. “Screw this. Gus, are you good if I ride shotgun?” I asked, already heading for the front seat.
“Sure you can, my boy. Just don’t tell me how to drive.” He chuckled, stuffing his newspaper into the side pocket of his door as his wet hair dripped onto his shorts and T-shirt.
I was glad he hadn’t wasted his time at the beach. “The rip’s strong out there. I hope you wore your floaties when you went for a swim.”
