Page 97 - Interior_SPRING SUMMER FALLING_2021

SPRING SUMME R FALLING | 97

“Only one way to find out.” I whisper it to myself once we hit the beach.
Henry splinters off in search of some shades, and I take the opportunity to send a
screenshot of our conversation to my best friend, Chanel. She calls me
immediately.
“Can you talk?” she questions conspiratorially. “Yes. He went to find shades.”

“Bitch! What you mean ‘what does he mean?’”
She calls me a bitch sometimes when she’s excited about something. I don’t get
it, but I don’t hold it against her.
“That’s an invitation! I don’t know how you’ve made it this long under all that
hotness without trying to get it.”
I blush and quickly relay the post-club debacle. She scoffs like I am stupid.
“He was being a gentleman. Have you tried or even hinted when you were
sober?” she challenges as if I am an idiot.
“Well…”
“That’s what I thought. Girl, be happy I’m otherwise occupied because I’d be
all over that.”
Chanel hates to admit when she likes a guy enough to be in a relationship. She
always refers to herself as “otherwise occupied.”

I laugh. “This is so nerve-wracking. I don’t know what to do.”
“I agree with your mom on this one. Stay sober, and try the same shit tonight.
I’m sure you’ll get a much different result. Bitch, stop playing, and jump on it! I
gotta go, the dude is coming.”
I drop my phone back in my tote. “The Dude” is code for boyfriend. I laugh
to myself. Chanel sure creates a lot of alternate names for being such a direct
person.
I take in some coastal air. It’s slightly salty from the ocean. Beautiful and not-
so-beautiful people mingle, shop, and eat. The girls are getting settled in their spots
on the sand and men are trying to organize a beach related sport activity. Henry
and I told the group we’d catch up after he finds some shades.
My stomach growls from lack of food. Maybe I should have tried to get up
earlier. I remember how it felt to lie on Henry’s chest. He was so firm and warm.
My body starts to heat more from the thought of him than the sun. Some people
part, and I see him. Strong, tall, and sexy. He’s found some shades that make him
look delicious. The best part? He is holding food.