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Billie pulls away and stands. As she walks away, her hips sway like she knows I’m still watching, and I can’t help but admire the view.
“If you want to talk, meet me right here at sunrise,” I tell her, trying to sound casual, though my pulse quickens.
She glances back at me over her shoulder, a playful smile dancing on her lips. “Good night, Banks.”
“Fuck off, Ice Queen,” I say with a grin, and this time, it earns me one in return.
My eyes flutter open,and I roll over to check the time. As I reach for my phone, the alarm buzzes to life. I’m impressed I remembered to set it, considering how much I drank last night. I’m not sure if it actually happened or if I dreamed it.
I immediately turn it off and slide out of bed, feeling more energized than I should, especially since I’m running on five hours of sleep. But what else is new? I’ll sleep when I’m dead.
I sit up and look out the windows of my suite, which faces the beach. It strangely feels like a brand-new beginning, the kind that makes me believe anything is possible. After last night, I’m convinced it is.
I slide on a sweater and some joggers, grabbing a cozy blanket. I open the sliding doors and walk to the beach, letting the salty air fill my lungs. The sun breaks the horizon as the whooshing of waves surrounds me like a familiar song. I spread the blanket on the warm sand and make myself comfortable, glancing around the private beach. A few people are jogging along the shore, but there’s no Billie in sight.
I lie on my back, staring up at the light-pink and purple sky, wondering if she changed her mind. If she did, I totally understand. Cutting through the tension hasn’t been easy. Maybe she has regrets.
The sun is halfway up now, and I close my eyes, soaking in the sounds of waves crashing, trying not to dwell on being stood up.
I’ll make her regret it. The thought makes me smile.
Moments later, I feel someone standing over me. My eyes flutter open, and I look up to see her smiling down at me.
“Good morning,” she tells me, her voice warm and inviting.
I can’t help but grin. “Ice Queen. You aresolucky you didn’t stand me up.”
“Pfft. Not letting you get out of this conversation that easily.”
I sit up, and she settles beside me, so close that our skin brushes together, sending a little spark through me. I open my arm, and she leans her head against my shoulder as we watch the sun fully rise together. It feels surreal, like I’m dreaming.
Being this close to her is a whirlwind of emotions. It feels too vulnerable as we sit silently, listening to the waves crash rhythmically against the shore. The sky morphs from golden pink into a soft purplish-blue. I hold her like she might vanish at any moment, like this is nothing more than a fleeting moment. It could be. I don’t want it to be.
My fingers gently trace circles on her skin as she breathes me in. Words aren’t needed because our silent conversation is loud enough. Somehow, I find comfort in her presence and don’t want this to end.
We hold one another for what feels like an eternity, maybe forty-five minutes, before we both release a long sigh of contentment at the same time. We glance at each other, then quickly look away, a little shy.
Weston was right; we’re so much alike.
“I have to leave in two hours.”
“Let’s get our day started then,” I say, standing, holding out my hand for her. I gently pull her to her feet. When she’s in front of me, I smirk. “You said no bullshit today.”
“No bullshit,” she replies, her eyes sparkling. “We have to get each other out of our systems.”
“You think that’s possible?” I ask, grabbing the blanket and shaking out the sand.
“I don’t know,” Billie answers honestly, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. “I feel like I don’t know who you are.”
“You knowexactlywho I am.” I tuck a stray strand of hairbehind her ear, studying her, as if trying to memorize every detail. “Now, come on.”
I fold the blanket, leaving it on the edge of the boardwalk, and then I take Billie’s hand, leading her to the wet sand. Our chemistry is almost too much as the cool water slides over our feet, sending little shivers up our legs.
“Would you rather never feel fear again or regret?” she asks.
“Regret,” I say without missing a beat. “It’s something that only comes after making the wrong decision. I enjoy being right.All the time.”
Her face cracks into a bright smile, the kind that lights up her whole being. “I like that answer.”