Page 66 of HER SISTER

"Three waves, Atiana," Mili repeated to me as I zipped up my black surf suit.

I shot her a smile as the sun beat down on us, "Three waves, Milan," I mocked her words back.

Mili laughed as she scooped more of the cut-up fruit into her mouth—and I swear that island life never looked better on anyone else in the entire world.

Especially with how she was laid out so perfectly on the soft beige blanket—wearing a white bikini top with loose denim shorts, which were frayed at the ends and unbuttoned at her waist.

She kept her curly dark hair tied back into a low bun with a Von Dutch hat on her head to shield her beautiful eyes from the sun.

"Say my name again—only a little more drawn out how I like it," Mili said as she peered up at me with a dangerous smirk.

I shook my head at her, "You only get that if you win," I reminded her.

Mili's smirk grew, "Something tells me I'll be winning either way," she said, and I couldn't help but raise a brow, suddenly feeling the need to prove a point.

"Want to bet?" I questioned.

Mili laughed as she shook her head at me, "Not really," she admitted.

I hummed as I tucked my dark hair back, "Oh? Because you were really cocky a few seconds ago?" I pointed out.

Mili grabbed her water bottle, "Yeah, but something tells me you'll go far to prove a point," she laughed, taking a brief sip from her water bottle before she said, "And while I love making bets with you—I also don't want to go days without hearing your beautiful moa—"

"Okay, yeah I think we get it," I cut her short as my face managed to grow hotter—which I didn't even think was possible with the intense sun already beating down on me.

Mili only laughed as I managed to blush even further, forcing me to turn away from her as I grabbed one of the surfboards.

"I hope you're ready to lose!" I called out over my shoulder.

Mili hummed lazily, "Oh for sure—going on a date with you is a huge loss," she joked.

I only shook my head as I continued toward the sparkling turquoise water.

And as soon as the warm silky water wrapped around my ankles, I let out a content sigh—suddenly verging in deeper as I basked in such a warm moment.

Not even a minute later, I was paddling out before waiting for any upcoming waves.

Within seconds, a wave grew in the perfect blue water, easily sending an adrenaline rush throughout my body.

A smile grew on my face as I quickly jumped up on the board—easily riding the wave out and down toward shore.

It was exactly like riding a bike.

I glanced over to Mili who was now clapping for me as she sat up completely on the blanket.

"That's one!" I called out with a raised brow.

Mili laughed slightly, "That's one baby," she repeated back to me, clearly amused by how serious I was taking this.

Soon I was surfing a second wave—and then a third wave, easily winning the deal that Mili and I had made.

"Hmm I don't think so," Mili called out as she walked over to me.

I gave her a narrowed look as I squeezed my wet hair out, "You don't think so? I won fair and square," I pointed out.

Mili hummed, "Maybe but it would be more interesting if we had an all-or-nothing round. You up for the challenge?" she said, clearly poking at my large ego.

I shook my head at her, "Why can't you just take the loss like a big girl?" I questioned with a small smile.

Mili only smirked, "I'm willing to take the loss, Ati—I'm only offering another round... you can go rounds, yeah?" she purposefully questioned, and I couldn't miss the insinuation in her tone.

I swear she knows just how to get under my skin.

I let out an annoyed sigh, "Give me the final round details," I said, giving her a narrowed look.

Mili's smirk grew, "Perform a trick out there on the water. If you win, you get it all—even a surprise once we're back in LA," she explained before she suddenly took a step toward me and said, "But if you lose then I get to plan our night, and no surprise for you."

I crossed my arms over my chest, "You're making this too easy now," I said, clearly knowing I'd win this bet fair and square.

Mili tilted her head with a slight smirk, "Yeah? Because the tide is awfully low right now," she said, and I couldn't help but look behind me.

And she had made a good point—especially since there wasn't anyone out surfing.

There were barely any good waves.

Still, I internally determined that I'd find a good wave and win this bet whether Mother Nature liked it or not.

"I hope you're ready to eat your words," I huffed out.

Mili shrugged, "I'd rather be eating y—"

"Stop trying to distract me, Milan," I cut her short as I fought back the heat growing around me.

Mili only let out an amused laugh as I walked back toward the warm ocean.

Soon I was paddling in the water yet again, clearly searching for the perfect wave to ride out.

Honestly, after about five minutes I thought about calling it quits—but only because I couldn't help the low waves.

Right when I was beginning to lose hope, a bigger wave managed to roll towards me—and I was practically leaping to stand on my board.

The trick was called a Cut-back.

And I performed it nearly perfectly—especially for someone who hadn't surfed in at least six months.

"I knew you could do it."

I gave Mili a narrowed look as I sat the surfboard down.

"So why even bet me on it?" I retorted as I slid the black surf suit off completely, leaving me in my blue bikini.

"Because you're cute when you're all riled up," Mili admitted as she grabbed my hand and pulled me into her warm body.

I only rolled my eyes, "Maybe I should rile you up too then?" I suggested.

Mili's expression grew narrow, "Maybe you shouldn't," she said, clearly not fond of that idea.

I tilted my head in challenge, but before I could say anything else, someone suddenly said, "That trick you just pulled out there was insane."

Just like that, Mili and I were looking over to Kiara, who seemed to have her surf suit on—although it hung at her waist, easily leaving her entire upper body exposed while she wore a typical bikini top.

"Thanks," I said, smiling warmly at Kiara who seemed to be impressed.

Kiara only shook her head, "You could've easily pulled a kickflip after," she said, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"You know I never pulled that trick off—even when I was surfing every day," I reminded her.

Kiara only waved me off, "You were overthinking it and you know it—" she suddenly took a step toward me, "—Let me show you," she said, motioning to the surfboard that was laid in the sand.

I suddenly looked over to Mili whose stare was pinpointed precisely on Kiara—and I could easily read the small signs that my girlfriend was currently displaying.

From her stiffened jaw to the unamused expression on her face—it felt like Kiara could take one more step toward me and that would be it.

And honestly, on any other day, I would've declined, clearly seeing how irritated Kiara's presence made Mili.

But with our recent conversation and the topic about riling people up—I suddenly felt like pushing her a little further.

"Sure show me," I said, taking a step back away from the board.

Just like that Mili's stare transitioned to me, and by the look on her face—it was clear that she knew what I was doing.

And she definitely wasn't happy about it.

I internally determined that after Kiara showed me this, we definitely had to leave.

There wasn't a further point to make—and I really wasn't trying to push Mili further.

Kiara suddenly walked over to the board, "It's all about using your ankles—you want to flick up in this motion," she explained, mimicking the motions as if she were in the ocean, "You remember how I taught you right?

" she questioned, taking a step off the board, which happened to be on the other side of it and closer to me.

And with the way Mili let out a calm breath, I almost wondered if she was about to go into cardiac arrest.

I pursed my lips into a smile, suddenly feeling really awkward, "Yeah-yeah, I'll work on it when I get time by the ocean," I said.

Kiara nodded as she suddenly glanced over to the ocean, "The tide seems high now—" she suddenly took a step closer to me, "—You should ride a wave with me," she said, subtly reaching out for my hand.

But before she could even touch me, Mili took a purposeful step beside me, easily halting Kiara's actions completely.

"She has other things to ride—but thanks for the offer," Mili said.

And almost immediately, my face grew hot with a shy blush—knowing exactly what Mili meant.

I awkwardly turned away from Kiara, whose brows seemed to be raised—clearly surprised by what Mili had just said.

Meanwhile, Mili only managed to guide us back to our stuff—which she immediately started packing up.

"I swear I didn't expect her to do that. I was just trying to prove a poi—"

"Oh, trust me, I'm about to prove a point too," Mili suddenly cut me off.

I blinked a few times as I leaned down to fold the cover, "What does that mean?" I questioned in confusion.

"It means—" Mili suddenly looked to me, and by the way her jaw suddenly tensed, it wasn't hard to pinpoint her growing irritation.

My brows furrowed as soon she reached out for my wrist—forcing me to quickly pick up the folded cover as she guided us off to god knows where.