She thinks then snaps her finger. "What was the exact color and shade of my outfit at the Latin American Music Awards three years ago."
"Easy. Heliotrope Purple."
Her mouth hangs open.
"Now you can tell me how impressed you are with my skills."
"Wow. How did you know that?"
"I'm your biggest fan."
We spend the next few hours playing trivia, but somehow it morphs into her asking more questions about me.
"First girl you had a crush on?"
"Stacy Snyder in third grade. I used to pull her pigtails to get her attention. Now tell me yours."
"Wait. You pulled her pigtails?"
"Yep. She loved it."
She busts out, laughing. "No, she didn't."
"She kissed me on the playground at the end of the year. Now tell me, who was your first crush?"
She puts her hands over her face. "Juan P茅rez. Fifth grade. He walked me home every day from school. One day he kissed me, and that was it."
"What? You fell madly in love?"
"No. It was over. He shoved his tongue in my mouth and gagged me."
"Yikes. Hopefully, poor Juan learned what not to do."
"I don't think so. My best friend kissed him when we were thirteen, and the same thing happened to her."
"Well, that's what she gets for sloppy seconds."
She points. "There it is!"
There's a small surf shop. It's painted yellow and blue and advertises "all things water."
I pull into the lot. "It's still early."
"What should we do until then?"
I dig through my bag and pull out a hat and sunglasses. "Put these on, so no one recognizes you."
She obeys. "Now what?"
I pull out her bikini. "Get ready for the water." I turn to give her privacy.
"Have you ever been married?" she asks.
My jaw twitches. "Yeah."
"What happened?"
"I was young and gone all the time. It's not exactly a recipe for relationship success."
"I can relate to that."
"You can?"
"Sure. The rockstar lifestyle doesn't make it easy on anyone."
I tap my fingers on the wheel.
"I'm done."
I spin toward her.
"Do you still love her?"
"Who? My ex-wife?"
"Yes."
My pulse increases. "No. It was a long time ago. And I was too young. I don't think I really understood what love meant."
The light in her eyes flicker, and she softly asks, "What do you believe it means...to love someone?"
I pause for a moment but finally say, "You'll go to the ends of the Earth, through hell, and back again. Even if it's only to get another second with them."
Her eyes water, and she only responds by a small smile and nod.
And it hits me like bricks. I would do that for her in a heartbeat.
12
Zoe
"Don't speak when we go in," Dirk instructs. "I don't want anyone to recognize your voice."
"Should I stay in the car?"
"No. I'm not letting you out of my sight."
Flutters erupt.
Don't get excited. He's just protecting you.
We get out of the car, and he puts his arm around me and guides me into the store. I look around while the owner and Dirk look at the kayaks and lifejackets. I select a pair of women's sunglasses, a black hat with Punta Gorda embroidered in hot pink, a bathing suit for Dirk, and a sunscreen bottle. I take it all to the counter.
Dirk pays for the items and changes in the store. He and the owner carry the kayak to the edge of the shore. I take the oars. Once the vessel is in the water, they shake hands, and the owner leaves.
"Take your shirt off and turn around," Dirk says.
"Why?"
He shakes the sunscreen bottle.
"Oh. Thanks."
He spends several minutes rubbing the lotion into my back, slides his hands to the front of my body, and puts it on my stomach and chest. He murmurs in my ear, "You want me to get your legs?"
Yes.
"I'll get it. Thanks." I put it on my legs then pour more into my hands. "Take your shirt off."
His lips twitch, and he takes one hand and pulls the back of his shirt.
Looking at him never gets old.
I step forward and take my time on his pecs and six-pack before rotating to his shoulders and then arms.
When I'm done, I tap his ass twice. "You're all set."
He holds out a lifejacket for me to slip into and helps me in the kayak. After he pushes us out, he gets in behind me.
The blue water sparkles and the sky is clear. We paddle past the part where the waves break and fall into a rhythm.
I breathe in the salt air. I don't remember when I was on the ocean last. "Gorgeous day."