Page 209 of Embriagado

“So let’s not walk into one again.”

50

SANTIAGO

“Here, take my hand,” Ari said, arm outstretched.

Pressing my lips together, I ignored his help and instead used my force to pull myself up. He chuckled, standing behind me as I walked over to the other side of the flat roof.

“Don’t tell me you’re still embarrassed.”

Keeping my back to him, I sat down with my legs sticking over the edge of the roof. “N-no.”

He sat beside me, his shoulder touching mine. “So you got a little emotional, so what?”

“It’s fucking lame,” I bit back, thinking of my pathetic reaction to losing him in that damn mirror maze.

“I found it rather cute, you, crying like a little boy.”

My eyes shot to his. “I-I didn’t cry.”

“Really? So what were those mysterious drops of water in your eyes?”

“Fuck.” I slumped on my back, covering my face with my hands. “I’m so fucking lame.”

I heard him shift beside me, so I peeked between my fingers to see him leaning back on his arms.

After deciding we’d both had enough of the fair, we snuck up to sit on the rooftop of what used to be an ice cream shop, now abandoned, that faced the ocean. That way, we finally had a break from all the people but also wouldn’t miss the fireworks show. After all, what was a first date without some sparks?

“I always found the ocean to be the epitome of freedom, don’t you think?”

I sat up and stared ahead at the waves crashing over the dark water, the moonlight reflecting on it.

“Don’t know. Never given much thought to it.”

“Jumping headfirst into crystal clear water and swimming away… it sounds like a dream.”

“A dream?” I glanced at him. “I don’t know about that. But I guess swimming is kinda nice.”

Still looking at the water, he snorted.

“What's so funny?” I frowned.

“Nothing, it’s just that… I never swam in the ocean.”

My brows pulled inward, and I huffed. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Not at all.”

“It’s Miami Beach, for fuck’s sake. You mean to tell me you’ve never been to the beach?”

“That’s not what I said.”

I grunted. “Fine, so you’ve been to the beach but never gotten into the water? Not even dipping your toes?”

He shook his head, and confused, I scratched my jaw.

“Why? You think the water’s dirty or somethin’?”