Caleb groaned and ran to catch up with her. In a moment of spontaneity, when he reached her, he grabbed her around the waist and threw her over his shoulder, intent on dropping her in the ocean. Just in the shallow part—nothing that would freak her out. He figured he’d give her a taste of how the locals handled things.
Bree released a shrill squeal, punctuated by laughter. “What are you doing?” She gave his back a couple of good whacks.
Rather than answer, he let his actions speak louder than his words as he calmly carried her over to where the water was only an inch or two deep. She squealed again as Caleb moved to drop her.
He hadn’t expected her to retaliate. Or for a wave to simultaneously crash into them.
At the last second, she wrapped her legs around his waist, causing him to stumble and fall into the water with her. Salt water gushed into his mouth, and he popped back up, spluttering. Man, that water was cold without a wetsuit.
“Serves you right,” Bree said.
Caleb pushed himself up into a sitting position, his clothes soaked through and water dripping from his hair and down his neck. He chanced a glance at Bree, who was also soaked, though half of her hair had managed to escape the attack. She wore a triumphant grin.
“You really thought you could pull one over on me that easily?” she asked.
The way she said it was so innocent, so endearing, that Caleb couldn’t help but laugh. “I suppose I should have known better.”
“Is working with you going to be like this every day?” she asked, scooting closer. Bits of sand were stuck to her cheeks and her forehead. Caleb moved to brush them away, his fingers pausing just above her skin. He shouldn’t be here. Doing this. But he couldn’t stop himself as his fingers brushed across her cheekbone.
Except, instead of brushing the sand away, he’d only added to it with sand that was stuck to his own skin. “I’m afraid I’ve made it worse,” he said with an apologetic smile. “And to answer your question, no, it won’t be like this. Most days we probably won’t even see too much of each other.”
It could have been his imagination, but Bree seemed disappointed by this news. She stood, then looked herself over. “I should probably head back to Adeline’s to change before going back to her store.”
“I can walk with you,” Caleb said, before thinking better of it, and followed it up quickly with, “if you’d like.”
Bree held out a hand to help Caleb up, her lips pulled up into a half-smile. “These parts are quite dangerous. You going to protect me from any rogue sand crabs?”
Caleb grabbed her hand and pulled himself up. He didn’t let go, though. “I’m pretty sure you could handle anything that comes your way, evidenced by how well you took care of me,” he said, indicating his wet clothing. “I just didn’t know if you’d like me to walk with you. That’s all.”
“Oh.” Bree seemed conflicted, like she didn’t know what to make of the gesture.
He hurriedly said, “It’s not a big deal. I should get back to my place anyway.” He tried to step away, but she held onto his hand, her gaze earnest.
“I’d like that. For you to walk me home.”
Caleb hesitated. “You’re sure? I won’t be offended if you’d rather make the trek alone.”
“It’s hardly a trek,” she said with a smile. “It’ll take me five minutes, tops. But I’d still enjoy the company.”
“All right.”
Bree continued to hold his hand, leaving him unsure what her expectations were for this walk. Whatever they were, he knew if they continued to hold hands that someone would see, and then they would never be able to escape the rumors. But how to release her hand without making her feel bad about it?
Then Caleb noticed someone else on the beach. And that someone was watching them.
Too late now.
15
Bree was unsure why she still held Caleb’s hand. She had only intended to help him up, considering she was the one who had caused him to fall into the water in the first place. But her hand had felt so right in his, and she couldn’t bear to let go. Though she really should. The longer she held on, the more conflicted she would become. Bree was already feeling like she’d just stepped off the Tilt-A-Whirl, her head spinning, not quite sure which way was up or down.
So what? They’d kissed once—or a lot, depending on whose definition they were using. And they seemed to continually gravitate toward each other. And now he wanted to walk her home, and she was more than willing to let him.
But none of it meant anything, right?
As they walked across the sand, she noticed Caleb looking nervous as he surveyed the beach. He paused, his attention caught by something in the distance, and then he dropped her hand like it had burned him.
Bree glanced over her shoulder to see what had caused Caleb’s discomfort.
Isaac. He was standing next to his post, watching them.
Well, that answered that.
Bree folded her arms to try to stave off the breeze that snaked its way through her damp hair and dripping clothes as she worked her way toward Adeline’s house. It wasn’t until she realized that Caleb didn’t want others to see them together that Bree realized that, against her better judgment, she’d been hoping that everything that had happened that day had meant something. It made sense now why he wanted to cook for her rather than go out to eat.
The disappointment sat heavy in her gut, and she quickened her steps.
“Hey, wait up,” Caleb said, working to catch up with her. He matched his pace to hers. “What’s the rush?”
Did he really just ask that? After being embarrassed to be seen with her? “It’s cold out,” she said, her tone more clipped than she had intended. As if to prove her point, she wrapped her arms tighter across her stomach.
Caleb looked around as they walked, as if he could magically find something that could help. “I’d offer my coat, except…” He shrugged helplessly. “I don’t have one.”
Bree bit back a smile. He was completely endearing. Exactly what she didn’t need. Bree really didn’t want to like him any more than she already did.
“No worries,” she said while nodding at a small path that would lead her to Adeline’s house. “We’re nearly there.” As they approached it, Bree hesitated. She didn’t want him to walk her up to the house, making their parting more awkward than it already would be. She gave him a quick side glance. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
Caleb seemed confused, like he didn’t know if he was supposed to follow her up to the house or not. “Um…cool. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
And then he disappeared before she’d even started on the path.
Bree groaned as she trudged the rest of the way.
Why couldn’t Caleb be completely repulsive? It would make things so much easier.
Bree texted Adeline to let her know that she wouldn’t be returning to the store after all, that she needed a little downtime before she started her training the next day. Adeline responded with several question marks interspersed with exclamation marks.
Bree didn’t respond. She knew she’d be bombarded with questions when her friend returned home, and today’s events would be better explained in person rather than over the phone. If Bree was able to explain them at all. Because even she was perplexed at the turn of events.
That kiss shouldn’t have happened. And she thought that Caleb probably agreed with her, considering his reaction afterward. But if Bree told Adeline about it, then that would make it real. And it wasn’t.
So, new plan. Don’t tell anyone about it.
And that plan was totally working. Bree didn’t tell anyone about anything all afternoon.
Until Adeline walked through the front door.
Bree was sitting on the couch with a book, trying to concentrate on the words, but instead reading the same paragraph over and over. And over.
“Honey, I’m home,” Adeline sang as she sauntered into the living room, a bag swinging from one hand. “And I brou
ght dinner.”
“I kissed him,” Bree blurted out.
Well, so much for that.
Adeline froze, the bag still swinging. “I’m sorry?”
“I kissed him,” Bree repeated. She groaned and buried her face in her hands. “A lot. On the lips. Lots and lots of kissing and hands and…” She looked up, meeting Adeline’s gaze. “What am I going to do?”
Her friend’s shocked expression transformed into jubilation as a grin burst across her face. “You’re going to kiss him again, is what you’re going to do. This is the best news ever.” She dropped the food she held onto the floor, then jumped onto the couch, wrapping Bree in a giant hug. “I’m so happy for you.” Adeline pulled away, her hands still on Bree’s shoulders. “I totally called it, though. I know you said you weren’t looking for a relationship, but I also knew you two would be just perfect for each other.”
Bree shook Adeline off. “I can’t kiss him again. This was not supposed to happen. And I’m pretty sure he feels the same way, because afterward he was acting all embarrassed to even be seen with me.”
This news didn’t seem to worry Adeline. She merely waved it off with a flick of her hand. “I’m sure it’s just as weird for him as it is for you.” Then she got down to business, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “So…how was it?”
Oh, gosh. Bree didn’t want to get into those kinds of details. She’d wanted advice for getting out of this sticky situation. She should have known better than to expect that of Adeline. “It doesn’t matter. And I don’t want to think about how it was, because it will just make everything harder.”
Adeline grinned. “Because you liked it.”
Heat rushed up Bree’s neck. “Like I said, it doesn’t matter. I’m not here to get a boyfriend.”
“Yes, I know,” Adeline said, her smile not diminishing. “But the fact that you’re blushing like crazy and aren’t denying that you enjoyed it tells me a lot more than you’re willing to admit.”
Adeline was right, and Bree couldn’t say otherwise. She instead groaned again and grabbed a pillow, shoving it over her face. “This isn’t happening.”
“And why is it so bad that it is?” Adeline demanded. “He’s a good guy. A little broken, maybe, but so are you. Heck, we all are.” She grabbed the pillow, forcing Bree to look at her. “You deserve good things, for once in your life. And this could be the best of them all.”
Adeline was implying that Bree should seriously consider a relationship—like an actual relationship—with Caleb.
Bree’s heart betrayed her, beating in an excited rhythm at the thought. “He asked me out on a date. After work tomorrow,” she said, realizing she’d left that tiny detail out. She didn’t know why she’d bothered to bring it up now. There was enough drama without Adeline knowing everything.
Instead of squealing with excitement, yet again, as Bree had expected her to do, Adeline looked shocked. “Was this before or after you guys kissed?” she asked slowly.
“After.”
Silence weighed heavily on them, Adeline seeming to need to take some time to soak that in. “Where is he taking you?”
“Hiking. To Starlight Ridge. And then I think he’s making dinner for me after.”
Bree hadn’t thought it possible for Adeline to look any more surprised than she already did, but she now stared at Bree as if Bree had just said she’d had a personal encounter with Bigfoot himself. “He said that? That he’s going to cook for you?”
“Yeah.” Bree was starting to feel uncomfortable. For someone who had been freaking out in happiness just a moment before, Adeline was sure acting strangely. Even more than usual for her. “Does he not normally do that?”
Adeline pursed her lips. “No, he doesn’t.” She didn’t expound on the cryptic way she’d responded. And rather than continuing to tell Bree how she couldn’t be happier for the two of them, she said, “Do you like him? I mean, really like him? Because if you don’t… If you don’t think you’re ready for a relationship…” She trailed off, as if searching for the right cautionary words. “Maybe you should cancel.”
Whoa, talk about a one-eighty. “You think I shouldn’t go? But just a minute ago—”
“I know what I said,” Adeline interrupted, looking flustered. Bree had never seen her friend act like this before. “But if this is a rebound thing... If this is just for fun because you need a distraction from all the crappy stuff that’s been thrown at you recently… Please. Don’t go.” She paused, like she was trying to decide how much to say. “Caleb has been through a lot. And it’s obvious he really likes you. But this won’t end well if it’s a one-sided thing.”
“I only met the guy a little over a week ago,” Bree said, now feeling less giddy and more anxious. “You’re saying that to go on this date, I have to be ready for a serious relationship?”
“Yes,” Adeline said, her lips pressed together in a tight line. She looked completely serious. “That is exactly what I’m saying.” She met Bree’s gaze, then released an exasperated sigh. “When you first told me you’d kissed, I thought that maybe Caleb was finally allowing himself to casually date again, considering that he knows you’ll be leaving at the end of the summer. This would be a fling for both of you, and heaven knows you both need it. But…” She gave a quick shake of her head. “I just don’t want to see him hurt. Not again.”
Bree didn’t understand her friend’s reservations. She highly doubted that Caleb expected that her falling in love with him was a requirement of going on a first date. She missed the crazy, happy Adeline who had gone overboard with excitement at the news that Bree finally liked someone. It had been a long time. And she wasn’t going to let Adeline rain on this parade. Caleb was a grown man. He had been the one to ask Bree out. And she wanted to go.
Happiness for one afternoon. Was that too much to ask?
“I’m going,” Bree said. “Like you said, I like the guy.”
“But—” Adeline looked torn between wanting to see her two friends get together and the possibility that it wouldn’t last longer than a week or two.
Bree took Adeline’s hands in hers, forcing her friend to meet her gaze. “I’m going.” She stood from the couch and walked to the stairs, her head held high, confident. Until she reached her bedroom and the realization of what this meant hit her.
Oh, crap. Bree hadn’t been on a first date in two years.
She thought she might puke.
16
Caleb glanced in the mirror, wondering what Bree saw when she looked at him. She was waiting downstairs, thinking he’d come up to grab his keys. And that had been true. But it wasn’t the only reason he’d needed a little space.
Isaac had freaked him out the previous evening, when Caleb had stopped by to help him delete his game. Isaac hadn’t been happy about it, but after seeing Caleb and Bree holding hands the previous afternoon, he’d said Caleb had gone above and beyond what he had expected. And then Isaac had started talking about what women expect once they think a man is interested. That this date would be a defining moment.
No pressure or anything.
Why had Isaac insisted Caleb ask Bree out in the first place if it was such a big deal? It could be that Isaac had no idea what he was talking about—that Bree just expected to have a fun time. It wasn’t like Isaac ever went out. He spent all his time with the ocean. Just like Caleb.
No. Caleb wasn’t going to allow Isaac to get in his head. He and Bree would have a nice hike to Starlight Ridge, then come back to his place for dinner. That was all.
Gulp.
He left his bedroom and checked the fridge, making certain he had all the ingredients he needed, then pushed down his anxiety as he grabbed a backpack that held a couple of water bottles, some trail mix, and a small first aid kit.
When he descended the stairs, he saw Bree leaning on the counter, looking over the written test she’d taken that morning. She’d passed it easily. If she weren’t so terrified of water, he knew she’d be a natural at diving.<
br />
Bree’s hair was pulled up into a ponytail that hung over one shoulder. She was beautiful. And not just in the traditional way, though anyone would have to be blind to not see her outer beauty. But she also had a strength within her that was rare. He liked that she didn’t take any crap from him but told it how it was.
Bree glanced up and caught him staring. Great, now he felt like a creeper. But she didn’t seem to mind, her lips tilting up. “You ready?”
He returned her smile, his anxiety dissolving. “Yup. I didn’t know if you already had a water bottle, so I grabbed one off the shelf for you.” She reached for her purse, as if to pay for it, but he shook his head. “I’ll count it as an employee expense. It has the store’s logo on it, so any time you use it, you’re advertising for me.”
“Thanks. I hadn’t thought to bring one.” She grabbed a large camera from the counter next to her and followed him out the front door. Caleb paused, returning inside to flip a sign, letting people know he’d closed early, and then locked the door behind him.
Bree stood on the boardwalk, looking ready to walk to the trailhead.
“I know I said everything in town is within walking distance. And that’s mostly true,” he said, before walking to his car and patting the roof. “But we’re going to want to drive to this one.”
“All right.” She seemed relieved as she made her way to the passenger side and slid in. “How far is it?”
“About a twenty-minute drive, but trust me, you won’t want to miss any of it. The drive is just as beautiful as the hike.” Even though Caleb loved the three-mile hike up to Starlight Ridge, driving along the coast was one of his favorite things to do. If he ever wanted to be alone but didn’t want to bother with all his diving equipment, he drove.
The road meandered, gradually rising, and the ocean dropped beneath them. Caleb glanced over at Bree when he heard a soft gasp. Her gaze was fixed on the water below.
Diving into Love Page 11
