AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh.” I have nothing more to say. I’m not ready to apologize. I’m not even certain I should apologize.
“So,” he dips his head, waiting for me to expand on…something… “I’m Kal. And you are…” he holds out his hand again. He’s waiting for introductions. But then, he’s already said my name.
“You know my name. I heard you say it.”
“Yes, but we weren’t properly introduced. I thought we could actually meet. Maybe it would help you to clench a little less.”
“I don’t clench.”
But his hand is still held out. I’m tempted to see just how long he’ll leave it hanging there. But then, I’m not patient enough for this kind of nonsense, not even kinders behave this way.
“Fine,” I say, doing the opposite of what Kal just said and clenching my teeth. “I’m Meg.”
“Meg.” He says my name reverently and my stomach flops. The deep brown in his eyes glistens, and his brows lift with thought. “Hey, what do you say? If you go to my cousin’s wedding with me tomorrow, I’ll teach you how to vacation.”
I was right all along. He’s crazy.
“I could really use an event where my family isn’t constantly on me about dating. And it seems like you don’t know how to vacation. So, you know, I could teach you.” He smiles, and his white teeth gleam like the sun on the sand.
But I don’t care how cute this character is or how much of a non-stalker he is. He’s a stranger, and I don’t vacation with strangers.
I don’t really vacation at all. But that’s beside the point.
“You could let loose a little. It wouldn’t kill you.”
“Excuse me?” I say. “You don’t even know me.”
“That’s true. I don’t. But I have ears.” He clears his throat. “And eyes. I can see how tightly you’re wound. If anyone needs a vacation, it’s you, girl.”
9
Kal
My honesty gets a gate shut right in my face. The girl may be beautiful, but she’s like one of those stress balls—filled with too much goo and ready to pop. And I haven’t surfed since yesterday. I don’t need the stress.
Sure, a date would ease up on my stress tomorrow—but not today.
I retrieve the board from the back of my jeep and spend the next few hours, until the sun sits low on the horizon, free. Just me, the water, the beach, and the waves.
At least it should be just me and the ocean. But my mind keeps backtracking to a girl who is clueless about how to lighten up. Life is too short. And worrying never saved anyone—I can tell, she’s a worrier.
I’ve never been attracted to worry, being the free soul that I am—and I’m not now.
What kind of men does this worrier like? That ex of hers gave me the urge to throat-punch something. She may need to unwind. But that piece of work needs amnesia, a blank slate, because he has absolutely nothing going for him. He might as well start over.
And yet, her blue eyes were jarring.
Also, I’m not sure I’ve ever met a woman that tall before. She has to be five feet eight inches, maybe even nine inches, with long legs that could really use some sun.
Still, worry—worry I have never been drawn to.
So, why am I contemplating how to help the little worrywart?
My mother is a care-aholic. Maybe she’s rubbing off on me. Or maybe, I’m more anxious about Gracie’s wedding than I thought. Walking into another family event, alone, with all the aunties offering advice and judgment. Yikes. I’ve been doing that for years and…Yeah, I might be over it. Walking in with a date would zip all their lips and get everyone off my back for a while.
Even if I could convince Ms. Worrywart Meg to go to Gracie’s wedding with me, could I help her have a good time? After our conversation, I think she may be allergic to good times.
Huh…
