“Sarah.” He stops me, and we face each other. “You’re not silly or stupid or petty. And I know for damn sure that you’re not ungrateful. If something isn’tright, you have every right to speak up about it. What’s bothering you?”
I press my lips together for a moment before answering him. “Last night at work washard.And I’m not afraid of hard work. I can do hard things. And I don’t hate the job.”
“Okay, stop. What happened?”
“People are just…horrible.Mean to service workers. Rude. Not the locals so much as the tourists. And notalltourists, of course.”
I break off when he just raises his eyebrows, and I let out a gusty sigh.
“I need the job. Andmostof the time, I like it. I love my coworkers. But man, there are just shifts when it almost sucks the soul right out of me. It left me unsettled, and I didn’t sleep much last night, so that’s probably why I’m extra moody about it all this morning.”
“If you could do anything for a living, and I do meananything, what would it be?”
I blink in surprise. “I haven’t thought about that in a long time.”
“So, think about it. What would you do?”
“I’d paint. If money was no issue and I could do anything? I’d make art.”
His lips tip up into a smile.
“What is that look?”
“I don’t know if you realize this, but I happen toownan art gallery. Why don’t you give me a couple pieces, and I’ll hang them. I’m sure they’d sell.”
“I’m not ready for that.”
I turn to walk away, but he takes me by the elbow, stopping me.
“Wait. I’ve seen your work, Sarah. If you painted some seascapes, or anything for that matter, IknowI could sell them for you. I won’t even take a commission.”
“That doesn’t seem right.”
Now his eyes flash with something that looks like anger.
“Are you always this resistant when people want to help you, or is it just with me?”
“I’m not trying to irritate you. Look, for a long ass time,helpcame with strings. So, it’s an automatic response now to simply sayno thank you,because I don’t want to owe anyone anything. When payback time comes, it’s usually something I can’t, or don’t want to, give.”
“I don’t want anything from you,” he says, and I believe him. “And I get that it’s a gut reaction, but if I offer tohelp, it’s because I want to. Not because I want something in return. Unless…”
“Unless?”
He smirks. “Unless you had the inclination to show me your boobs or something. No pressure, though.”
“Ah, sexual favors.” I nod knowingly and then laugh. “For you? Not a problem.”
“Think about it,” he urges. “I’d love to hang your work in my gallery. It would be an honor.”
“You’re sweet.” I step to him again, and his arms come around me. We don’t speak for a while, but rather, we just stand here, wrapped up in each other, listening to the waves.
“Have you ever noticed that the water sounds like music?” He begins to rock back and forth in a sweet dance that makes me smile against his chest.
“I’ve noticed.” I close my eyes and soak it all in. The magical sound of the waves, the heat of the man I love against me, and the gentle rocking as Tanner dances me over the sand.
The water tickles my feet as his hand moves to my side, and then the other to my right hand, and we’re standing in a classical dance pose, moving on the beach. I can’t take my eyes from his as our bodies, pressed together from stomach to knee, sway side to side, in a slow circle.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life.” He presses his lips to my forehead, and I know without a doubt, in this moment, I’ve never felt so treasured. So loved.