Page 14 of A Daddy for Christmas 3: Nova
“It is, though too many rainy days in a row means no new content, which can really hurt subscriptions to my channel,” Iexplained as I turned the scallops and removed the fruit from the grill.
Another minute and a half more and we could dig in.
“How often do you post?” He asked as I passed him a plate and utensils I’d already rolled in a paper towel, so we’d have everything.
“I shoot for three new videos a week,” I explained. “One basic, one intermediate, and one with an advanced technique. I also post bonus content too, which is usually me chaining techniques together so they can really see how things are supposed to flow when they’re out on the waves. I spend a lot of time responding to comments too, giving extra tips or breaking down steps for someone who isn’t quite grasping the material in the videos. Some subscribers will even post videos of themselves working on one of the techniques, either for approval to show off their progress or for assistance so I can really see where something isn’t clicking for them. Most times it’s an easy fix, like shifting the way they place their feet or adjusting the way they crouch or lean. A few have even flown out for private lessons, though those are few and far between. Most of my subscribers are constantly picking up things from fellow surfers they meet on the beaches they surf and using the lessons I provide in the content to tighten up their skills and inch them closer to being ready to compete.”
“That’s super cool though, the way you keep the knowledge flowing so the next generation has it,” he said, swaying in his seat to the beat of the song still drifting out of the kitchen.
He hadn’t stopped moving since I’d put the music on. I couldn’t wait to see how he did on the dance floor tomorrow night and where we’d end up after it. There was a fondue place open late and provided a bit of romantic ambience with lantern-lit tables on the beach and both cheese and chocolate options. That was a definite frontrunner among the thoughtsthat tumbled through my head. I enjoyed our one-on-one interactions, and after the club, which was always packed no matter the night, it would be nice to have some alone time over spongy cakes and fruit dipped in creamy chocolate.
“It would be a waste of all the effort that people put into teaching me if I didn’t pay it forward,” I explained. “There’s an art and philosophy to riding the waves that gets lost sometimes when competition and prize money enter the picture. I know it did for me. I regret those moments, but I’m grateful to my community of surf elders for making sure I didn’t forget for too long.”
“Sounds like a family.”
“Because it is. A non-traditional one, since I’m not related to anyone here by blood or marriage, but they’re the people I plan to spend the rest of my life around.”
“At least you’ll never be lonely.”
“Oh, it gets lonely in the middle of the night when I roll over and there is no one in the bed to cuddle with,” I admitted, eying him across the table as I placed the scallops down between us. “Dig in; I think Mother Nature is gearing up for one hell of a show tonight.”
Almost as soon as the words left my mouth, the sky unleashed a heavy curtain of rain that poured over the roof, creating a curtain of water illuminated by a flash of lightning.
“I’d say it’s just begun,” he remarked, forking a scallop and then holding it up to my mouth
Our eyes met as I parted my lips and let him feed me that sweetly succulent bit of seafood. Between the rain and the deep honey hue of his gaze, no mollusk had ever tasted as sweet.
Chapter 7
(Nova)
“There’s my babies,” I cooed when I saw Megan appear on the screen with Squit on her lap and Bobby stretched out across the back of the chair behind her.
The moment he heard my voice, a mewing Pesto jumped up into view, nearly displacing Squit, who cut him the stink eye and scooted over a fraction to allow him enough lap to settle down on.
“Just look at my fluffy furry butts,” I gushed, leaning closer and waving at them. “Are Daddy’s little angels being good for Auntie Megan? Are you eating all your yum-yums? Bobby, are you being a good boy and not picking on anyone? Has Auntie Megan been remembering to give you your treats?”
“I’m right here, you know,” Megan said, sticking her tongue out at me.
“I know, but I miss my fuzzy little floofs,” I declared, mewing back when Pesto mewed at me.
“Awe, I know, little one, but Daddy will be home soon with so many stories to tell you about the beach and all the fishies I saw scuba diving,” I cooed. “You’d have been in kitty heaven trying to swipe at all of them as they swam past, yes you would, though I don’t think they’d appreciate your presence much. I can just picture you trying to swim after the eel, but I don’t think you would have caught him, not with a little kitty life vest on.”
“Do they even make life vests for cats?”
“I think they are more designed for tiny dogs, but they’ll fit a cat, especially a big one like these chunky monkeys of mine.”
“And just how do you know that?”
“I saw one hanging in the mudroom at Robbie’s last night and asked him about it,” I explained. “Turns out its for when he takes his cat, Piper, surfing with him.”
“Come again?” she asked, shoving a finger in her ear and wiggling it around before pulling it out. “I don’t think I heard you right. Are you telling me this guy you’ve met takes his cat surfing with him?”
“Yup, he showed me videos while we were watching the storm.”
“Wow, that’s…interesting.”
“He’s interesting,” I said. “We’re going to a nightclub tonight, and I really need you to help me figure out what to wear. Not that there are many choices, but I was in town earlier and found these shimmery white pants, and oh my god, they hug my ass like they were made for me, so you know I had to pick them up, and now I kind of want to wear them with that blue and tan shirt you helped me pick out, but I also have the black and gold one we picked up at Slates along with those black tapered pantswith the metallic finish, and I don’t know what the fuck to put on.”