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I frown and reach for the juice instead. I need to keep a clear head and I’m not touching that shit until the professor explains what’s going on.
I take a sip of the ice cold juice and then ask, “Does anyone want to surf this afternoon?”
“Hell yeah,” Bhodi replies, Cove and Reef quickly agreeing with him.
“Great. I can’t wait.” Vitamin sea, just what the doctor ordered.
“I’ll have to see if we can convince the prof to join us,” Cove adds thoughtfully.
“The professor surfs?” I splutter. My mind immediately conjures images of him riding a woody, stiff as a board in his school suit. I giggle.
“Who do you think taught us?” Reef asks.
“Wow. Really? He seems so…” I trail off, not wanting to be rude.
“Uptight? Boring? Cantankerous?” Bhodi supplies with a wink.
“Umm, busy?” I offer.
They all laugh. “That was diplomatic of you. But yes, he does surf. He just hasn’t had much time lately, with everything…” Cove trails off.
“Because of me and the murders you mean.”
“Not at all. He likes to keep busy anyway. You’re not to blame,” Reef reassures me. “But, none of us have work today so maybe we can convince him to take a break.”
“That would be good,” I reply, feeling a little uneasy. Yes, I want to see the professor; we have a lot to discuss. But I don’t want an audience for it, and I can’t help but feel that his presence at the beach would throw off the easy vibe I have with the other three and my planned day of relaxation.
Oh well, I guess there’s nothing to do but wait and see.
Breakfast is delicious, the conversation light and easy, but I can sense that the guys are as keen to leave as I am. Once we’ve all finished, Reef tells me to use the bathroom first while he tidies the breakfast things back onto the room service trolley.
This time I manage to wash in peace, not bothering to shower if I’m going surfing later. I deliberately try to keep busy folding and re-folding my new items so that my mind doesn’t wander once more to Summer.Is she back on the island? Will I get the chance to see her when we return? Should I just message her?
Once I’m dressed and all my new things are packed in the new weekender-style bag that the professor got for me, I take it back out to the living space and dump it by the door. The others follow shortly after, and Cove insists on shouldering my bag and carrying it to the docks for me.
When we check out and reach the street, Reef surprises me by slipping his hand into mine.
“Is this okay?” he asks, nodding at our entwined fingers. His grip is gentle but sure, his hand nice and cool.
“Yes. It’s okay,” I reply, wanting to say it’s more than okay.I have butterflies – just from holding hands!
As we walk along the street, the waves crashing in the distance and the seagulls overhead, I can’t help but feel a rush of excitement. Reef is not like anyone I’ve ever met before. He’s kind, funny, and charming – like Bhodi and Cove – but there’s something more, something deeper that draws me to him. There’s something in his presence that soothes my soul.
My gut tells me that these guys are just good people, Reef especially.
I steal a glance over at him, taking in his chiselled jawline and gorgeous dark hair that’s tousled in the light breeze. His striking green eyes are fixed ahead, but I can sense his peripheral attention on me. He’s attentive like that. We walk in silence, Bhodi and Cove up ahead, and the only sound is the rhythm of our footsteps and the crashing waves as we draw closer to the ferry.
We board the ferry, Reef and I still hand in hand, and the four of us search for a spot to sit.
As we find seats on the deck, Reef pulls me into his side. The midday sun is blazing down on us, illuminating Reef’s face. I can’t help but feel grateful for this moment with him, away from the chaos of the other passengers who have opted for a little shade elsewhere on the boat.
I lean my head against his shoulder, and he wraps his arm around me as we sit in comfortable silence, watching the water and the seagulls flying alongside the ferry.
Bhodi and Cove wander off – to give us a little privacy I think – which is sort of nice.
After a few moments, Reef speaks up, breaking the silence. “I know we’ve pretty much just met, but I feel like I’ve known you for ages. Is that weird?” he asks, turning his head to look down at me.
I shake my head, feeling a smile spread across my face. “No, it’s not weird. I feel the same way,” I reply, tilting my chin up so that I can look into his eyes.
