Page 119 of Finding Lexie

“I thought you said your name was Marshall,” Kenna said.

“It is. My nick name is Aleck, it’s what most people call me,” he said. “But you can call me Marshall.”

He kept hold of her arm and began to swim with her toward some rocks a bit away from his buddies, where it looked like she could climb up and out of the water somewhat easily.

“I can swim,” she told him.

“I know,” he said, without letting her go.

When she reached the rocks, Kenna wanted to scurry up as fast as she could, but clearly the man had other ideas.

“Don’t be embarrassed that you were trying to help me,” Marshall said. “Seriously, if more people got involved when they saw something wrong, I think the world would be a better place.”

“But nothing was wrong,” she told him.

Marshall shrugged.

“Right. Okay, well then…have fun with your training and whatnot,” she said lamely as she reached up to grab one of the rocks and pull herself out of the water. She’d come to terms with her body a while ago, and had a pretty healthy self-esteem, but exposing herself in her sports bra to this man who didn’t have an extra ounce of fat on him—based on what she could see from that wet suit he was wearing—wasn’t exactly high on her list of things to do.

And she couldn’t hang out in the ocean all day. The sooner she got out, the sooner she could get back to her apartment to try to pretend this never happened.

“Can I see you again?” he asked suddenly.

Kenna froze. “What?”

“I mean, I’d like to thank you properly…for trying to save my life and all.”

If she wasn’t mistaken, Marshall sounded…unsure. Why this man would ever need to be unsure while asking someone out, she had no idea.

“Um…okay,” she said without thinking. Then mentally winced.

“Great,” he said with a smile. “When? Where?”

“Duke’s? I’ll be there tonight.”

The second the words were out of her mouth, Kenna wanted to take them back.

“Sounds good. Is seven okay?”

Kenna nodded.

She could’ve sworn she felt Marshall’s thumb brush against her upper arm before he swam away from her.

“See you later then. Be careful.”

“I will.” Kenna began to climb out of the water, refusing to look back to see if Marshall was watching her. When she got to the top, there were a few people running by, but no one really offered to help. Luckily, her shoes were still lying where she’d left them.

Not able to resist, she looked back down into the water and saw Marshall staring up at her.

She gave him a lame wave, then rushed to her belongings. She grabbed her shirt and shoes and headed back the way she came. Exercising was done for the day.

Why had she told him to come to Duke’s? Yes, it was a super popular restaurant on Waikiki Beach, so she wouldn’t have to worry about being in danger if he showed up. But she was working tonight, and as a waitress, it wasn’t as if she could sit and hang out with him.

“Stupid,” she muttered to herself.

But she couldn’t help taking one last look behind her as she hurried down the sidewalk. Marshall was back with his friends now, and they were all smiling as he said something to them.

Shaking her head, Kenna turned back around and squished her way back toward her apartment.

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