Island Affair (Keys to Love #1) - Priscilla Oliveras Page 0,80

her flip-flops to dig her toes in the sand. Turning to admire the open ocean, she remembered her mother’s remark about the calming, Zen-like effects of breathing in the sea air. The meditative aspect of staring out at the vastness as you imagined the world and all its infinite possibilities ahead of you.

Anxious about Luis’s need to take care of something she already had under control, Sara focused on their beautiful surroundings. Hoping to soak up some of the ocean’s calming power.

In the distance, a pair of catamarans floated idly by, white sails filled with humidity-laden wind. Several couples strolled hand in hand along the dock that extended about a hundred yards out. Midway down, two teen girls sat, dangling their feet into the clear green water. Blue beach loungers and white umbrellas dotted the sandy area between the restaurant and the water’s edge.

“I’ll go see about renting chairs and an umbrella so you can get out of the sun,” Luis said, still in gruff protector mode.

“I brought a spare sheet to spread out. If you’re okay, I’m fine without a lounger. Shade is a good idea, though.”

“That works. I’ll grab a menu while I’m over there. Just in case.”

He jogged off without waiting for her response.

Sara bit her lip, barely stopping herself from yelling that he should ask about renting a better mood while he was at it.

Instead, she swallowed the smart-aleck jab. He meant well. She believed that. But if he started hovering like her family, it would put a pall on the rest of their afternoon. She refused to let that happen.

Like she often did with her parents, she’d have to set him straight. Make it clear he could stop worrying about her eating habits.

Hefting their woven beach bag on her shoulder, she scoped out an empty spot. Then, with the refreshing breeze’s billowing help, she spread the white sheet on the sand, securing two ends with one of her flip-flops and a third with their bag of supplies. By the time she was done, Luis had appeared with a young man wearing a navy polo and white shorts. The attendant quickly hammered a pole into the thick sand, then set up their umbrella before heading off to assist another customer.

Sara plopped down on her half of the blanket, waiting until Luis followed suit. As soon as he started removing his sneakers and socks, she bit the bullet.

“There’s no need for you to be concerned about whether or not I’m eating.” She pitched her voice low to avoid someone nearby overhearing their conversation. “If I’m exercising too much or downing laxatives.”

Luis’s fingers stilled on his left shoelaces.

He angled his head to look at her, his chiseled face serious. His gaze scanned hers for several tense seconds; she stared back at him, refusing to concede. Eventually he heaved a disgruntled sigh and got back to work unlacing his shoes.

After stuffing his socks in his black and red sneakers, he stretched across the sheet to place the shoes on the corner behind him, securing it from the stiff breeze.

“I noticed your reaction when you asked if I was hungry,” Sara pressed, refusing to back down from the issue. She’d hidden her OSFED for too long. Now she dealt with it head-on. Successfully. “Look, I appreciate your concern. Believe me, I understand where it’s coming from. You can ask, but not badger. What I really need is your trust and belief in me.”

Her feet buried in the sand, Sara looped her clasped hands around her knees and hugged them to her chest. A shield protecting her should his faith in her prove too fragile to withstand her plea. Nervously, she scrunched and opened her toes, the sand shifting around them.

Beside her, Luis propped his forearms on his raised knees, his big hands dangling between his legs. He faced the water, lips set in that damn grim line.

Sara’s heart raced. Her pulse pounded in her ears.

If he couldn’t do this, if their budding relationship changed because of her OSFED, it wouldn’t be the end of the world.

It’d be a hard blow. But she’d handle it. Therapy and positive self-talk assured her she could cope with anything and do so in a healthy way.

Better she knew where Luis stood now, before she got in deeper. Before she cared more for him than she already did.

Keeping her gaze trained on a young mother slathering sunscreen on a squirmy toddler, the cutie’s round belly stretching a Little Mermaid one-piece suit, Sara stood her ground.