Abby Road by Ophelia London Page A

inches into the water.
    “This is perfect to swim in,” he said without looking back. “Especially if you don’t like high surf.” He folded his arms tightly against his chest.
    I stared after him, still feeling rather hot and bothered.
    Needing to extinguish my inner fire before I imploded, I didn’t fight my next impulse. I had the presence of mind to first toss my cell phone and new hat over my shoulder, before dashing past Todd, straight into the water. As I ran hard, splashing in the shallow surf, I heard him call out something from behind me. I took a few more strong running steps and pitched headfirst into the oncoming wave, pulling myself forward under the water.
    The pressure hit my ears like descending in an airplane, arresting my exhale until my body grew used to it. In full-on mermaid mode, I broke the surface for a quick breath before jackknifing for another deep dive. Years of intense vocal training had strengthened my lungs, and I could hold my breath for a fairly long time. Underwater, I opened my eyes, blinking through the initial salty sting. Schools of tiny iridescent fish fearlessly swam around me. From the ocean floor, I picked up a broken piece of starfish. After breaking surface for one more inhale, I body surfed the next foamy wave into Todd’s feet. He’d waded out a few yards to meet me.
    “What’s the matter?” I panted, blinking up at him, my eyes blurry and stinging. “Afraid of the water?”
    “Yes,” he replied through his teeth. “There’s a level red today. See the red flags up all the poles? That means sharks. That’s why no one’s out there.”
    “Sharks?” I yelped, bumping into Todd’s legs, scrambling to my feet as we both backed out of the water. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “I tried, but you kept running.” He laughed tensely, peeled off my Dodgers cap, and let it fall from his hand onto the wet sand. “You didn’t surface right away, and then you dove again and didn’t come up.” He shut his eyes, pressing his index finger over the bridge of his nose. “I was just about to go in after you.”
    “You would’ve done that?”
    He lowered his hand and opened his eyes, turning to me. “Abby, in a heartbeat.”
    Okay. I’m only human .
    One step was all it took. I leaned in the rest of the way, wrapping my arms around him, not caring for one second if he thought I was a lunatic. “Thank you,” I whispered, hoping my words reached his ears. He didn’t respond vocally, but first one of his arms went around me and then the other. This spoke volumes.
    I smiled into his warm shirt, my limbs softening, melting like hot honey. His hands moved across my shoulders. Seawater dripped from my hair down my face. It was probably damaging my retinas to the point of mutilation and blindness, but I didn’t care.
    His hands slowly slid from my shoulders to the small of my back, pulling me ever so slightly into him. I felt a hitch in my breath, the kind Todd had described earlier, the kind that precedes a perfect first kiss. I knew I wouldn’t contest what was coming next . . . salt water or no salt water.
    But all at once, I was released.
    “Sorry,” he whispered, his arms going slack as he took a step back from me. He chuckled tightly, shaking his head. “Sorry.” He looked down at the tiny waves bubbling at his tan feet, hands safely back in his pockets.
    “It’s okay,” I mumbled, taking my own step away, feeling ridiculous and a bit trampy for having hurled myself at him. Embarrassed and frustrated, I turned around, stumbling back to where I had been sitting just a few minutes ago, a naughty child banished to her bedroom.
    You idiot! I inner-scolded, as I pulled my knees in front of me, fingering my toe ring. The man shows an inkling of not wanting you to be eaten alive by Jaws and you attack him like it’s prom night!
    I couldn’t see the front of him, but the back of Todd’s shirt was plenty drenched thanks to me. I shook my head, ashamed by my idiotic