should be your time off...” I said, changing the subject. He smiled with amusement at my awkward dodge.
“This isn’t exactly work,” he chuckled, “I should be paying Abby.” I was embarrassed, “My dad insisted I take lessons. He threatened to send me to a boarding school if I didn’t promise to be more careful.”
Ethan looked at me mischievously, “Surfboarding school?” We laughed together, and agreed to meet for lessons in a week. I handed him some fruit from the bag and we ate as we rested in the sun.
“Seriously, why do you work so hard?”
He looked at me like he was deciding whether or not to talk about it, “I’m saving for the future.”
“That’s very mature of you,” I said teasingly. He didn’t laugh. “Why?” I asked again.
“Because I want to be independent, and not have to count on anyone else,” he said, making me feel a little sheepish for teasing him.
“That’s admirable,” I said, “I thought surfers were supposed to be slackers.” This time he laughed, and I relaxed. I liked his laugh.
“Uhm... Marina?” he asked tentatively, “What on earth did you draw in art class yesterday?” I squirmed uncomfortably, I was afraid that might come up.
He went on, “Because the guys at the table were saying that it was a... self-portrait.” I was mortified but had to explain, “It wasn’t me, it was a mythological creature that I um...
uh...” I figured I might as well just come clean so I spit it out rapidly, “It was a mermaid, okay?
And I probably should have added the strategically placed hair,” I finished angrily.
His eyes flew open, “A mermaid?” he seemed shocked.
“Yes,” I said defensively, starting to get annoyed. I hadn’t expected him to be a prude.
His tone changed, “Don’t get all upset, it’s no big deal.” He sounded contrite, “Those guys are a bunch of dorks anyway.” He got up and zipped his suit back on, “C’mon,” he held out his hand to me, “I’m going to teach you some of the finer points of body surfing.” We spent the next few hours playing in the waves, laughing at some of our wipe outs. It was an incredibly powerful feeling to glide along a wall of surging water, and I could only imagine how it must feel to stand on a board. I tired out before he did, and my hands and feet were starting to feel numb. We packed up our gear and made our way along the path to his truck.
It was warm inside and this time we drove along in comfortable silence.
“Are you coming to the market tomorrow?” he cast a glance in my direction.
“I don’t think so,” I said, thinking about how I was going to find Lorelei, “There’s something I need to take care of.” Was I imaging it, or did he look disappointed?
We pulled up to the house to see Abby sitting on the bench, waiting.
“See what I mean?” I said with an exasperated look at him.
“Don’t be too hard on Abby. You didn’t see how upset she was when you went missing.
And all that time you were in the hospital… You were out of it for a long time.” He paused, choosing his words carefully, “We were all worried.”
He got out, and before I could even gather my bag he was around the side of the truck getting my door.
“How’d it go?” Abby called out.
“It was fun!” I said, and I really meant it. Ethan walked me to the porch and turned to Abby.
“Marina did great. She can handle herself just fine– with a wetsuit on.” He cast me a playful glance, “We’re going to go again next week.” Abby looked relieved. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” he added.
I flashed him a grateful look.
“You need to wash off your wetsuit if you want to keep it in good shape,” he said and left.
Cruz and Megan were on the couch when I came in.
“So-o...” said Megan, “How was your date?”
“It wasn’t a date,” I said, scowling in her general direction to conceal my smile.
“So how did your swimming go?”
“It was fun, but better than that... I can stay in the water a whole lot longer!” I looked at them with barely contained glee.
They returned my gaze with barely contained horror.
CHAPTER TEN
FASHION SHOW
On Sunday I went down to the pier on a fruitless search for Lorelei. I’d stealthily snuck out of the house, tiptoeing my way past Cruz’s room. I knew if he saw me he’d try to talk me out