by Scott, Lisa
“I feel like it’s watching us.” She kissed Val again, then smiled and waved at the moon.
He laughed.
They kissed more and talked as they watched the heavens. Val wanted her to stay, but he’d already taken this faster than he should have. He hadn’t planned to be the one she’d find love with, but it looked like it was going that way. After a day like today, steering her toward another guy would only further harden her heart.
“Can I drive you home?” he asked.
She looked at him and bit her bottom lip as if trying to find the courage to say she wanted to stay. But she’d never find love if they just became bed buddies.
He squeezed her shoulder. “You need your sleep if you’re going to take on the waves tomorrow. You’ll probably fall asleep as soon as you hit the sheets.”
She slid off his lap and stood. “You’re right.” She grabbed her bag. “Oh, wait. I still have your sand dollar. You left it on my beach blanket.” She reached into her bag and pulled out his perfect, bleached sand dollar. “You have to start a collection. I put all the sand dollars I’ve ever found in big jars. My condo is filled with them. In the winter, it reminds me that summer will be back.” She handed it to him and he set it on the arm of his Adirondack chair.
“I like that idea. We’ll look for more tomorrow.”
Her condo was a ten-minute drive away. He walked her to her door and left her with a quick kiss and a promise to pick her up at nine the next morning. They exchanged phone numbers in case one of them overslept. Then Val drove home, smiling at the sky. He was going to pass his final, he just knew it. Maybe that’s why the moon had been watching them.
***
Jacey was tired; Val was right about that. But she couldn’t sleep. Not with the feel of his lips still on hers. Was she allowing herself to fall just a little for this guy, knowing there was no possible future with him? Sounds like something I’d do, she groaned to herself.
Finally, after an hour of tossing and turning, she got up and sat on her balcony. It was two a.m. and clouds were scuttling back and forth in front of that big, big moon. Couldn’t that be a sign that this was special? That she’d finally met an incredible guy? That maybe she could possibly experience love? Or at least a little fun?
But Val wasn’t going to be here for long. Time was ticking. She toyed with her phone, aware that his number was on it. Maybe he was still up, too. It wouldn’t be so bad to check, would it?
It’s Jacey. Can’t sleep, she texted.
A few seconds later, his message flashed on screen. What a coincidence. Me neither.
Jacey chewed on her lip. She knew then with one hundred percent certainty that she wanted to hook up with Val—even if it led nowhere. And since he wasn’t going to be around long, shouldn’t they just get right to it? Why play games and wait? Can I come over?
Now?
Yes. Don’t want to wait.
Glad to hear it. I’ll be waiting on the porch.
Jacey didn’t bother inspecting her hair or dabbing on makeup. She kept on her shorts and sweatshirt and hopped in her car, retracing the route to his cottage.
Val was waiting on the porch for her. He took her into his arms without a word. They kissed under the front porch light, the sound of the waves across the street filling her ears, the breeze laced with the salty brine of the sea. “Let’s go down to the beach,” she whispered.
Val grabbed a blanket from inside, and they walked hand-in-hand down the street toward the ocean. “I’m glad you called. Surprised, but glad. I was lonely once you left.” He squeezed her hand.
She squeezed back. “Me too. I don’t want to waste a minute while you’re here.”
They spread the blanket on the dark, desolate beach. That big moon illuminated the white caps rushing the shore. They lay on their sides, facing each other. Val curled a lock of her hair around his finger. “You’re going to be too tired to surf tomorrow.”
“I don’t care.” She smiled at him, still wowed by his big blue eyes and shaggy blond hair. If she were casting roles for a surfer movie, he’d get the lead.
He moved closer to her, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Then we’ll just look for sand dollars tomorrow.” He brushed his soft lips against hers, and their tongues met in a slow, sensuous dance.
Jacey moaned softly. It had been so long since she’d been with a man. And never had her heart pounded so hard just from a kiss. Val ran his tongue along her lips, then kissed her chin, and left a trail of nibbles down her neck.
Jacey dropped her head back and wrapped her arms around his waist. He slid his hand under her sweatshirt, smoothing his hand across her lower back. “Let’s go in the water,” he said.
He stood and reached for her hand, and they hurried down to the water, stripping off their clothes along the way. Jacey could only see Val’s silhouette in the moonlight. She didn’t feel quite so vulnerable in the darkness. But still, her cheeks were hot knowing she was naked in a front of a guy she’d only met earlier that day.
Val scooped her into his arms and carried her into the water as they kissed.
She gasped as the water hit her legs. “It feels colder at night.”
“It’ll warm up.” He nibbled her ear and set her down in the water, squatting next to her so they bobbed in the waves.
Their hands explored each other. Despite her cold fingers, Jacey couldn’t stop grinning. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”
“I’m so glad you couldn’t sleep.” Val pressed his lips against her cheek.
She linked her arms around his neck, and they kissed in the cool night air. She shivered, and Val led her out of the water and they bundled up together beneath the blanket. The heat of their naked bodies soon warmed her, and desire bubbled inside her. She hadn’t been kidding when she said she didn’t sleep around, but she wanted Val—the guy she hadn’t even known for twenty-four hours.
She lay on her side, the blanket still wrapped around them, and he pulled her on top of him. Val clearly wanted her, too. “I know this is fast, but I want you, Val.”
He stroked her cheek. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Why be coy about it for a week or two when you’re only going to be here for a short time? Let’s enjoy every moment to its fullest.” She looked up at the sky. “Let’s make it a super moon summer.”
***
Jacey fell asleep in Val’s arms afterward, and he woke her as the sun was rising. “Hey, beautiful. We should get going before we shock any early beachcombers.”
She blinked a few times. “Sorry!”
“Don’t be. Let’s grab breakfast, and then we’ll hit the beach before that damn little Joey gets all the sand dollars.”
She laughed and followed him to his Jeep, and they drove back to his place.
***
They slept for a while, tangled up in the sheets of his bed. When they woke, she was eager to surf again.
They stopped at a local store and bought her a board and wetsuit.
It only took a few times to get up on the board this time, and she had several good rides. After a while, he joined her, and they surfed the waves together.
Eventually, she tromped up to the blanket and collapsed, exhausted. “Get me out of this suit,” she told Val.
“But darling, there are people at the beach. We’ll have to wait till dark to do that again.”
She swung at him half-heartedly. “I’m wearing my bathing suit underneath.”
He knelt beside her and unzipped her suit, helping her wriggle out of it.
She tossed it aside and fell asleep almost immediately. He slung his arm over her back and joined her.
He woke a few hours later and kissed her ear, whispering. “We should get up. It’s almost dinner time.”
She sat up, yawning and stretching, and his eyes widened. “What?” she asked.
“Your back is burnt. And my arm left this big white stripe on your back.” He grimaced. “Sorry.”
She looked over her should
er and laughed. “Maybe I should get a tattoo that says, “Val was here.”
“I could write it in Sharpie,” he offered.
She fished a shell out of the sand and tossed it at him. “Don’t you dare!”
Laughing, he stood and reached out his hand. “Come on, let’s go get dinner.”
***
Val tried to convince himself he wasn’t falling for Jacey, but his heart had opened up in a way he’d never experienced before, like it had made a space just for her. They spent the next few weeks together with Val sometimes staying at her place, or she would spend the night at his. But they always started and ended their days together. One day, he noticed a faint blue hue surrounding them. He got a lump in his throat, realizing they were falling in love; that they were meant to be.
As they walked the beach at sunset one evening, Val stopped to kiss Jacey. “I love you,” he said. The words shocked him. His training had taught him to wait for the love-interest to utter those words first to be sure she meant them. But it didn’t matter. Because he meant it. He wasn’t just saying it for his assignment. He loved Jacey like he never thought he could love a woman.
She blinked back tears. “I love you, too, Val. I don’t understand it.”
“Oh, thanks,” he joked.
She wiped away a tear with the back of her hand. “You know what I mean. I didn’t believe in love. I didn’t want it. But I found it anyway.”
Val held her in his arms and closed his eyes, trying to memorize the moment. When he opened them, he and Jacey were surrounded by a beautiful, deep blue hue. “You’re my one and only,” he said, realizing he’d said the words aloud.
“But what are we going to do?” she asked. “I can’t move to Australia. I’m not certified to work there.”
“I can stay here. There are great ad agencies in Boston. I’ll do whatever I have to do to be with you, Jacey.”
She smiled at him, eyes glistening. “I want to be with you, always.”
***
With two weeks left in his assignment, Val returned to Cupid’s headquarters. He waited for an hour outside his office before the big boss would see him.
“Is your task complete?” Cupid asked as Val walked in.
His heart raced. Cupid had specifically warned him not to fall for Jacey. Val had no idea how Cupid would take it. “It is, sir. Jacey is in love. With me.”
“Good, then it’s time to wipe her memory,” Cupid said.
He took a step forward. “But I’m in love with her, too. I want to be with her.”
Cupid raised his small hand. “That’s not an option for my agents.”
“What if I wasn’t your agent? What if I dropped out of the program?”
Cupid was silent as he steepled his fingers. “You’re sure this is true love?”
Val nodded. “We were surrounded by the same blue hue. And I felt it in my heart, Sir.”
Cupid stared out the window for a few moments, then turned back to Val. “Very well. But you will not be granted immortality. You will live out your mortal life as if your accident had not been fatal. And you will not be allowed to train at my school again.”
“That’s fair.”
“Both your memories will be wiped of each other.”
Val shot up from his chair. “But, Sir!”
“Enough! If it’s true-blue love as you claim, you will find each other again. Unless you’re not certain….”
Val raised his chin. “I’m certain. And I agree to your terms.”
***
Gulls circled, and the sun blazed overhead. It was a gorgeous beach day in Southern Australia. Val wheeled his chair along until he found the perfect spot to sit and stare at the water. He’d been miserable until he got the all-terrain wheelchair with its big, thick wheels that could easily roll across the sand.
His parents wondered if going to the beach was a bad idea, seeing as how he couldn’t surf anymore since the accident. But he felt drawn to the ocean, like a siren somewhere was calling. He stared out over the sea as if waiting for something: a ship, a message, a treasure. He’d been coming out here for almost a year now but hadn’t found what it was his heart seemed intent on searching for. Still, it was the only thing that made him remotely happy. If he closed his eyes and felt the sun’s warmth on his skin, listened to the birds cry and the waves break, he could pretend for a moment he was just taking a rest, that he’d be charging back onto the water with his board at any moment.
But then he’d open his eyes and remember this wasn’t a dream. He was paralyzed from the waist down and would never surf again. Given that bleak reality, it surprised him how much he enjoyed watching the surfers. Often, he used binoculars to get a good look at what they were doing wrong. Sometimes when they came out of the sea, board tucked under an arm, he’d give them a few pointers.
The beach was quiet today, and he watched a few people take on the surf. One woman was trying her best to ride the wave but kept falling off her board. He pulled out his binoculars and focused on her determined face. Her eyebrows were knit as she bit her lip, determined to take the curl. But she wiped out again and again and finally sloshed her way to the shore.
She was walking past him when he called, “You’re not bending your knees deep enough.”
She looked at him with big blue eyes, her long brown hair plastered to her skin. “Excuse me?”
“I used to surf. Your legs are too stiff.”
She set down her board and sat next to him. “I don’t even know why I’m doing this. It’s ridiculous. I just feel compelled to learn to surf. It’s the whole reason I made the trip here.” She had a cute American accent.
“It’s addicting, I know. And you’re determined. I can see it in your eyes. Want me to give you some pointers to get you up on the board?”
She gave him a look. “That sounded dirty.”
He rolled his eyes. “Lay on the board with your feet touching the bottom.”
“And that’s not just so you can check out my butt?”
“Maybe it is. But it’s also the best way to teach you how to surf.”
She laughed and followed his directions as he explained how to stand up and balance on the middle of the board with her knees bent.
“Now go back in the water and give it a try.”
It took her over an hour, but she finally got up on the board and triumphantly rode the wave back to shore. She pumped one hand in the air and ran to him. “Thank you so much! I would’ve been devastated to go back home without learning to surf.” She stuck the end of her board in the sand next to him.
She was beautiful, and the energy in her eyes was addicting. “Where are you from?” he asked. She seemed so familiar, but he would’ve remembered meeting someone like her.
“I’m from Cape Cod, Massachusetts.”
“I’ve been to the States a few times: Hawaii, California. Never the East Coast. I hear that area is beautiful.” Had he already told her that? No, of course not. They hadn’t been talking long.
She twisted her long hair, wringing out the water. “Colder water, that’s for sure. But all the nautical charm people love with lighthouses, lobster. I love it there. I’m Jacey, by the way.”
She stuck out her hand, and he shook it. He felt a shock between them, like static electricity. “I’m Val.”
“Great to meet you, Val. And I think I owe you dinner for helping me.”
He wanted to say no. He hated sympathy outings. So many people felt obliged to take him places and do things with him. He should be grateful, but he always felt like he was a burden.
“I hope you can recommend a good restaurant,” she said. “I’d love some seafood. How about you?”
He couldn’t help but smile at this beautiful woman who genuinely seemed like she wanted to spend time with him. “I love seafood. And I’ll drive. My van’s equipped for my chair.”
“Cool.”
“You can stash some of your stuff in the pocket on the back of my chair. People like to bring me along
places for my storage capacity.”
She laughed. “I’m sure they’re probably really inviting you in case the need for impromptu surfing lessons arises.”
“That too,” he said.
He led her to his van, and she didn’t stop to stare as he began the slow process of aligning his chair onto the lift. He tried to remember to be grateful that he hadn’t been totally paralyzed when he fell down the stairs. At least he had movement from the waist up and was pretty independent as a result. He even had hope for sexual activity again some day, should he find someone interested. Which seemed like a big “if.”
Once he was seated behind the wheel, Jacey looked at him and smiled. “Just a warning, I’ve been known to sneak a taste off my dates’ plates.”
He swallowed hard. Did she consider this a date? He hadn’t been on a date since the accident. “Good. I do the same thing.”
They had a fantastic view of the ocean at the restaurant. Jacey bit her lip while looking over the menu. “I can’t decide between the scallops or the lobster.”
“Get the lobster and I’ll get the scallops. We can share, especially since you already confessed to being a food thief.”
“I like your thinking,” she said.
“How much longer are you here?” he asked.
“Only another week. I’ve had a fantastic month here, but it’s time to go back home. I’m an occupational therapist at a school, and we’ll be back in session soon. What do you do?”
He looked down for a moment. “I worked in advertising before my accident a year ago. They said I could come back. My job doesn’t really require the use of my legs, but I just haven’t felt the desire.” He didn’t know if he could handle working at a place where people had known him “before.” He needed a fresh start, but he wasn’t in the right mindset yet.
She looked at him without a shred of pity in her face. “That’s understandable. You’ve had a major life change, and it’ll take some time to regroup and figure out what’s next for you.”
“Please tell my mother that?” he begged.
She laughed. “Mothers—they mean well, but their intentions rarely work out.”
A silence settled between them until he said, “It was a shark that did it.”