Date With A Rockstar by Sarah Gagnon Page B

contagious saliva back down again. “I, uh, can answer the one-wish question you asked on the plane.”
    He pushes his wet hair back out of his face. “Nice, I love hearing how people respond to that question.”
    No pressure. “I’d make all the water in the world clean and—”
    â€œHey, that’s my wish.” He splashes me.
    Argh, what am I doing? He gave me the perfect opportunity. “Well, I wasn’t finished. I was going to add more.”
    â€œNo double wishing.”
    â€œSo I can’t add the ability to breathe underwater so that I can collect treasure?”
    â€œNope.”
    â€œWell, crap.”
    He narrows his eyes at me. “How am I supposed to believe that’s really your wish? You might be using my ocean series of songs as inspiration?”
    â€œFine.” I raise my chin high above the water. “I take it back. Dump the pollution in, I only want the treasure at the bottom of the ocean.”
    â€œSelfish, huh?” he asks, laughing.
    â€œOnly when it comes to treasure,” I say, smiling. “Your turn, answer the same question.”
    â€œI told you, you stole
my
answer.”
    The water laps at my face and I bounce on my toes. “Pick a different wish.”
    â€œAll right, I’ll re-grow that huge section of redwood forest that they cut down. I love the old pictures of that place.”
    â€œOh, me, too. I have this black and white picture of the tree branches weaving together, kind of chaotic, like life.” A wave pushes me forward and I stretch to try and reach the ground. My head dips and water goes up my nose. I try to cover my face and blow it out in a ladylike fashion, but the salt burns. Jeremy touches my shoulder to steady me.
    â€œDo you want me to teach you how to swim?”
    â€œYes.”
    How do I bring up Fluxem? I should have wished for the cure. Though maybe there’s a chance he might pick me just because.
    â€œYou’re going to have to pay attention if you want to learn.”
    â€œI’m with ya. I was just thinking up more wishes.”
    He smirks at me. “You’re certainly a person with a lot of desires.” His voice deepens at the end.
    â€œNah, I’m a simple girl.”
    â€œYeah, right.”
    â€œHey, you’re the mysterious and romantic musician.”
    â€œOh, the flattery.” He fans his face, which splashes water in my direction.
    â€œBetter watch that, or I’ll start gushing. And I remember how much you said you hate that.”
    He plugs his ears and floats on his back, humming a song I’ve never heard. I want to chase after him, but his chest floating on the top of the water is so real. He’s not wearing many clothes and he’s-wow-toned. I try to walk deeper after him, but a wave goes right over my head. My fingers graze his side as I duck under.
    â€œI think I’d better teach you how to swim for your own good.” His forehead wrinkles with concern while he holds my arm.
    I love the way his hand feels. “What do I do first?” I ask.
    â€œLet your feet float up from the bottom.”
    I do and my head dips below the surface for a second, then Jeremy firmly grasps me by the shoulders. “Did you sit down again?” He shakes his head at me. “Okay, let’s try a more direct approach. I’m going to put my hand on your back and you lean into me. Your head stays
above
the surface of the water.”
    â€œGot it.” His hand slides to the center of my back.
Please don’t move your hand any lower.
He’s about ten inches away from hitting the Fluxem mark. I don’t wanthim to find out like this. I bite my lip and try to relax my body. My feet leave the ground and I let him tip me back. My body floats to the surface and his other hand supports my upper back.
    I open my eyes. I’m doing it. I’m swimming…or, well, floating. I smile up at him and he has a strange