by Jules Barker
14
Make-Out Point
The beach! The beach! I’m going to the beach! Laurel hummed to herself as she rummaged through the slightly-less-organized-than-usual piles of general stuff, looking for her large tote. For the last two weeks she’d been living out of one half of her bedroom, using Gran’s shower, and generally feeling discombobulated. Although that might have more to do with the man doing the renovation than the renovation itself.
Ever since she’d talked to Nate on Monday about his dad, things had been more relaxed between them. Friendly. Cozy. Maybe even flirty? She hadn’t pried about his revelation to Simon that he was interested in someone, but maybe it wasn’t very serious. She both did and didn’t want to find out. If he already had feelings for someone else, she knew there was no hope of getting out of the friend zone she was in. And though she hated to admit it, her hopes were rising.
Nate was at the house each day when he wasn’t splitting time on other projects and, while Laurel gave him space to work, he always made time to chat before or after. Yesterday, while sitting in a bedroom all in shambles as he knocked out a wall, she’d teased him about working too hard. He’d replied by inviting her to go down to Rainbow Beach with him and play tourist for the afternoon. Laurel only hoped she hadn’t agreed so fast that her eagerness to spend time with him showed.
Now it was five minutes before she was supposed to meet him and she was still searching for––Aha! Got it. Laurel pulled the tote from the bottom of a stack of miscellaneous stuff and shoved her towel, snacks, and other necessities inside. Outside she set it in the front basket of her bike, pulled her cat-eye sunglasses down, and took off. She was wearing long shorts over a blue halter-top swimsuit with a delicate flower print. She’d pulled her hair back and twisted it around a blue scarf she used as a headband, the ends floating behind her as she peddled along. She had to be careful to pull the fringe of her floral kimono wrap up so it didn’t get caught on anything.
She pulled out of the drive, and crested the hill down to town. The crescent-shaped island was mirrored by the bay. Sparkles danced in the waves around Athame’s Garden, a small rocky island in the middle of the bay. Rainbow beach with its swathes of pink, coral, red, and gold sand, separated Historic Main from the water. Laurel felt like a happy cloud soaring above them as she spread her arms to the side and let her kimono fly.
The flat peddling on Historic Main made her feel a little more like a huffing, puffing, steam cloud, but she biked past the small crowds of beach goers playing volleyball, standing in line for the food carts, or flying kites on the beach. Nate was supposed to meet her on the far north end, just before the rock cliffs began. Tourists tended not to walk that far and clustered more on the southern end of the beach closer to the ferry and ferris wheel.
She spotted Nate at the north parking lot and he hefted her bike into the back of his truck. “I wish you’d have let me pick you up,” he said.
“But the downhill part is the fun part,” she said, winking at him. “I’ll let you drive me back up, though.”
Together they carried a sport umbrella, blanket, and small cooler out onto the beach and set up their spot. Laurel kicked off her sandals and wiggled her toes in the fine sand. “Alright. You’re the boy who’s missed his beach. What do you want to do?”
Nate eyed her. “You said you didn’t want to swim today, right? Let’s walk the beach, get some food, and then I’ll practice my kayaking prowess.”
The beach was two miles long and they walked at least half of it. The mid-June sun kissed her limbs and took the chill off the cool ocean water that licked at her toes. Laurel was acutely aware of Nate next to her. She couldn’t possibly reach out and take his hand, that would be beyond friendly. But her fingers itched to intertwine with his. Maybe what he’d said to Simon about liking someone else was just a passing thing and she had a chance… but she wasn’t ready for an awkward rejection like she got last time she made a move on him.
Laurel couldn’t take walking so close to him anymore. Instead, she ran ahead dodging the waves that tumbled over each other to the shore. Laurel nearly bumped into someone as she danced out of the way of a rogue wave.
“Oops! I’m sorry!” she said, looking up.
Agnes Heathermore, the island eccentric, merely smiled at her, waving a giant corn dog in one hand. Agnes was sweet and harmless and had been giving cryptic advice to island inhabitants and tourists for as long as Laurel could remember. In fact, her crazy antics were part of the charm of Moonrise Cove for long time visitors. “Don’t worry dear. I’d have seen it coming if it was going to be a disaster.”
Agnes looked between Laurel and Nate, mumbled something unintelligible beneath her breath, and walked between them to continue down the beach.
Nate chuckled. “Man, it’s good to see Agnes. What was she eating, though? I’ve never seen a corn dog so huge and… crunchy looking.”
Laurel gasped. “Of course! The Korean corn dog stand is new. Oh my gosh, Nate. They’re the best! Super thick batter rolled in breadcrumbs or french fry ends or tater tots and sprinkled with just a hint of sugar for that savory sweet combo… My mouth is watering just thinking about them!” She also grabbed Nate’s arm in her excitement, but quickly dropped it.
“Lead on then, explorer. I await your culinary guidance.”
After stuffing themselves and Nate insisting they chase it down with a lemonade, the walk back was even slower. They paused to point out goofy dogs running after frisbees, reminisce about places in town they loved as teens, and try to push each other in the water. Laurel made Nate swear to a truce before she waded in to rinse her fingers of their food crumb mess. She was bent in half swishing them in a wave when his arms wrapped around her waist and swung her up in the air, kicking and squealing.
“No! You promised! Nate, you jerk!” But Laurel was laughing so hard she knew he wouldn’t take her seriously.
He made as if to carry her into the waves but set her down before he really did. She ran a few feet then turned to splash him, kicking and splashing water in his face. As soon as he moved to retaliate, she took off running.
He chased her until they reached their spot and both collapsed, winded, on the blanket.
“Never make me run on a full stomach again,” she groaned, laughing and lying down on her back. She rolled her head to the side and saw Nate watching her intently, practically staring. What? Did she have crumbs on her face? Or a food baby? She wiped her face surreptitiously, then covered her stomach with her kimono and rested her arms atop it.
Nate cleared his throat and looked away.
When he tried to cajole her back out into the water a few minutes later to take turns in the kayak that he had in the truck, Laurel made a show of pulling out her book to read instead. She was not graceful on the water.
Once Nate was out there, however, she found herself rereading the same pages over and over. Her eyes kept straying to Nate on the water. He’d removed his shirt and was only wearing the compression shorts he’d had on under his clothes. He paddled out to Athame’s Garden and back, doing loops around the bay, and Laurel found herself warm and tired. She stretched out on her side and determined to read again as proof Nate couldn’t distract her that much.
She blinked herself awake sometime later, to see Nate’s hand resting on the blanket, mere inches from her face. He was sitting on the blanket leaning back, watching the ocean. Laurel blinked again.
“Finally awake?”
She sat up, shaking out her limbs and discreetly checking for drool. “I wasn’t asleep long, was I?”
“Mmm. Maybe thirty minutes since I’ve been back. Don’t worry about it. It’s been nice watching the people and the waves.” He’d put his shirt and shorts back on and was sipping a soda from the cooler. He reached in and grabbed her favorite kind out for her.
Laurel scooted on the blanket so her legs were in the sun and her top was under the shade of the umbrella. Even though she wasn’t sure she wanted to know the truth, this w
as a perfect time for “Operation Wingwoman”. She silently cursed Simon for putting her up to this, although to be fair, she had a selfish reason for wanting to know if Nate liked someone else already.
“Speaking of people watching, anyone catch your eye?” Oh stars. Could she be any more not subtle? She popped the top on the soda and took a sip as an excuse to look away. She coughed. The first sip of a cold soda was usually the best, but today the bubbles caught in her throat.
“Over there,” Nate said, pointing. “There’s a toddler that keeps eating sand even though his mom tells him not to. That was funny.”
Laurel smiled and tried again. “Anyone catch your eye in general? Like, not here at the beach? Like, a woman maybe?”
Nate looked at her sharply.
“I know I’m not Simon. But you’ve been back for two months and there are some new people here. Maybe I could give you information about them.”
“You’re definitely not Simon,” Nate said, swigging his soda and looking over the waves.
“I know I can’t be your ‘bro’. But, as a woman, I would have better insight than him into what a woman wants.” Laurel shifted to get his attention. “Come on. I’m sure someone’s caught your attention. Let me help! I’m sure plenty of women on the island have noticed you.”
Nate smiled, flicking a glance her way. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” Laurel flushed. She definitely didn’t mean herself, so why was she blushing? “And why shouldn’t they? You’re a catch.” Veer away, Laurel, veer away. No need to inflate the man’s ego. “So? What about Lucy at Pastries and Potions? You’re there nearly every day. She’s cute!”
Laurel faltered. What if the only reason Nate brought her hot chocolate and pastries was as an excuse to see Lucy?
Nate smiled. “No. Plus Lucy might have other interests. There’s been a guy hanging around this week.”
Oh. Laurel hadn’t been in herself for a bit. Maybe she’d have to pop by and see? She and Lucy were becoming friends, she hoped. She really liked the petite brunette.
“What about any girls in your neighborhood, or…” she needed a way to bring up Vicki casually and spied the retractable pencil on his belt. “What about Vicki?” Laurel reached out and flicked the retractable pencil fob with her finger. “Vicki sure seems to be interested in you.”
“She does?”
Laurel couldn’t tell if Nate looked confused or hopeful.
“Yes! Are you blind? ‘Here’,” Laurel said, imitating a breathless tone, “‘let me get that paint chip for you’.” She fluttered her lashes. “‘Your arms are so strong! Can you lift that paint can? Ooh, let me ring you up!’”
Nate busted up laughing, and grabbed Laurel to give her a noogie. “It’s good Vicki never tries to flirt with me like that or…” he paused.
Laurel was annoyed. When would he quit messing with her hair? She wanted his arms around her for other reasons. “Or what?”
“Or I’d have to do something about it.” He looked at her intently.
Laurel’s hands stilled from patting down her hair.
What did he mean by that?
A dog ran past their blanket, it’s owner calling after her, breaking the moment. Nate asked Laurel about the book she was reading, how Gran was today, if her chandelier order got put in yet… Basically changing the subject.
Laurel wondered, as they talked, why he hadn’t answered about liking Vicki. But she was glad to drop it for the day. She really wanted to hear that he wasn’t interested in Vicki, but if he was, she’d rather put off knowing. What if she prodded more and he said he liked her? Laurel would rather wait in ignorance. At least for today.
Before long, Laurel noticed a couple making their way back from the rocks to the north. She giggled.
“What?” Nate asked.
She tossed her head in the couple’s direction. Nate laughed, too.
The northern tip of the island was officially called Rocky Point, but locals knew it better as Make-out Point. If you were willing to brave the treacherous path around rocks and scruff, there was a small, protected cove perfect for lovers’ trysts. Many teenagers had come back over the ridge to beach bonfires with glowing faces and secret smiles. In fact, besides the almost-kiss with Nate, the only time Laurel had kissed a boy had been over at Make-out Point.
The couple looked to be Laurel and Nate’s age, mid- to late twenties. They carried an umbrella, picnic basket, cooler and blanket. “Looks like they planned to be out there for awhile,” Laurel said.
“Have you ever gone out there?” Nate asked.
“Once. My first kiss was there,” she said. “Well, I went twice actually, but the second time was with Theodore Lamb and all we did was look at constellations for an hour and when he finally tried to kiss me he had food in his braces so I faked seeing a comet and then we left.”
Nate laughed.
“Have you ever been out there?” asked Laurel.
Nate didn’t laugh. He just looked at her with one eyebrow raised.
“Oh. Of course. You were pretty popular in high school. Of course you were there a lot.”
Laurel looked away, not making eye contact with Nate. She saw a blanket lying on the sand and turned to look. The couple had made their way past them already but the blanket must have fallen off the cooler. She darted up to get it, calling to the couple to wait.
As she picked up the blanket, Laurel was hit with a surge.
It was like being immersed in a hot spring, warm and steaming. It swirled around her, eddies and undertows carrying her along with them in the kaleidoscoping blues and greens. Heat flushed her body, making her limbs loose and relaxed. The attraction and desire nearly pulled her under.
A cool hand touched her arm and Laurel blinked to find Nate staring at her oddly. She couldn’t do more than stare at him, catching her breath.
Nate took the blanket from her and crossed the few steps to the couple who’d come back, sheepish grins on their faces, giving their thanks.
Nate waved them goodbye then turned back to Laurel.“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, just…” Laurel tried to take a step but her knees were weak.
Nate put his arm around her shoulders for balance and walked her back to the blanket. He helped her lower to the blanket to sit, but she lurched sideways and bumped into him. They both sat in a thump.
"What was that all about?" Nate asked.
Laurel turned from him to get a moment to recover, but something tugged her back. The fringe of her kimono was caught on the retractable pencil on his belt loop. She fumbled to untangle it and his hands slid over hers, pushing them away and working deftly to free the strings.
He looked at her, his face so close to hers.
Laurel breathed, shallowly, still feeling underwater.
Recognition dawned in Nate’s eyes. “Oh. A surge.” He studied her face a moment. “They were enjoying themselves, weren’t they?” Laughter twinkled in his eyes.
Laurel nodded faintly.
Her chin tilted up on its own.
Nate’s eyes flicked to her lips, serious now.
Laurel was on a tide of emotion, unsure what was leftover from the blanket and what was her own desire she’d been holding back, but it was probably the latter because surges didn’t last this long and why didn’t Nate just lean forward and kiss her already and––
Nate moved a fraction closer.
Laurel’s breath stilled.
Her lips parted.
Nate closed his eyes and leaned away, brows furrowed. “Well, who can blame them? A gorgeous day like this? They seemed like newlyweds.” He smiled at her lightly, but it seemed forced.
He reached into the cooler for some ice, grabbing Laurel’s hand and placing the half-melted cubes in her palm. “So, do surges always hit you that strongly? Because that would suck.”
Laurel breathed, tension broken and emotions receding. She’d been stupid. She normally put up a wall before purposefully touching other people’s stuff, but she�
��d been distracted like with Nate’s dad and caught off guard. No, she thought. Surges aren’t always like that.
She was just utterly distracted whenever Nate was around. If only he knew it.
15
Didn’t See It Coming
Laurel and Nate chatted a few more minutes before his stomach growled, loudly, declaring it was time to head home for the day. But after packing up and getting in the truck, Nate turned to her.
“I don’t want to cook tonight.”
“What?” Laurel stopped playing with her scarf.
“Well, I’m tired and don’t want to cook and my dad is content with a frozen dinner. Why don’t we go to Crowthorne’s. It’s right there.”
Laurel laughed. “Dressed like this?”
“I’ve got a pair of khakis in the truck. And you can, I don’t know, pull your shawl-thing around you like a dress or something? Besides, it’s early enough that they won’t be too crowded. And they wouldn’t turn a pair of locals away… Come on, Lars. Keep me company?”
Laurel couldn’t help herself when he turned on his charm. They parked at the far end of the parking lot. She felt like a kid being mischievous as Nate changed from his shorts to his pants hidden on the other side of the truck. Laurel wrapped her fringed kimono around her and pulled the blue scarf from her hair to use as a sash to hold it in place like a wrap dress. Her hair had been coiled around the scarf so she flipped her head upside down to shake out the curls. Nate walked around the front of the truck just as she flipped her head back, tousling the big curls to get some volume.
“Does it look okay?” she said, checking herself in the window.
Nate’s eyes widened. “Wow. Definitely more than okay,” he said.
Laurel blushed, then took his offered arm.
Nate was right. The restaurant was busy, but not in full swing yet. It was still a little early for a summer weekend. When they reached the hostess station, Laurel was pleased to see Sara, owner of the ring she’d identified at the Lost and Found.
