It had been the kind of distraction her soul needed, but wouldn’t have been able to express.
Kip led her through a few more poses. All simple with long, slow transitions. Tessa’s chest expanded with sea air as the sun rose behind her.
No, she wasn’t a morning person. But waking up to Kip’s calm excitement and determination to start their day at the beach had her feeling as if she might be a morning person.
If the circumstances were right.
And yeah, Kip had spent the night.
But on the couch.
He’d nodded off while they were talking and she couldn’t bring herself to wake him. So, she’d covered him with a blanket and then went to bed.
“Would you be interested in breakfast?” Kip asked as they walked back up the beach towards his vintage VW bus.
Her stomach growled at his question and she laughed out loud. “I think that’s a yes.”
The drive to the beach house he shared with his friends was relatively short as Tessa was distracted by the quiet of the world that early in the morning. Without the rush of needing to get to work, she was able to be an observer in a world where she was normally a cog.
Ew.
She never wanted to think of herself as a cog again.
“Is work more difficult now that Steve is gone?” she asked, taking a seat at the small kitchen table where she’d first seen Bo last Monday morning.
“Hell no,” Kip said, making her laugh. He shot a grin over his shoulder as he cracked eggs into a glass bowl.
“Is he more trouble than he’s worth?”
“No, he’s great to have around. He works really hard, despite what his personality would have the world believe. But it was always supposed to be temporary—” Kip shook his head once. “Anyway…” He took out a skillet and placed it on the glass stove top. “Clarke had me help with the vetting and hiring of all new people. So, we’ve had people ready to move up for a little while with nowhere for them to go. Having Steve move into more of a promotional aspect of the business is better. For everyone.”
Tessa rested her chin in one hand as she propped her elbow on the table. Kip glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she shrugged while smiling. “It’s fascinating is all. I’ve always been curious about entrepreneurship, but never had the chance to really explore it.”
“Shane is one of those rare individuals who knows what his limits are and puts people in place to make up the difference.” His mouth softened as a memory crossed his mind. “Ten years ago, if you’d have asked me what I thought I’d be doing, it would not have been working for Shane Brookings.” His voice turned quiet and he faced the hot pan, showing her his profile. “But life is full of surprises.”
Tessa studied his face in profile, wanting to ask what he was thinking. His cheekbones were sharper and high, creating planes on his face she knew could be disrupted easily with his smile. How could a person’s face look so different between serious and happy? Most faces were a blend of all the emotions they’d ever felt.
But not Kip.
“What about your job?” he asked. “Do you like it?”
“I love it,” she readily answered. “Some of the people I work with? Eh.”
He chuckled and she stared at him, only able to see a small part of what she knew was a fantastic smile.
“When do you wanna try some longboarding?” he asked, placing two plates of eggs and sautéed spinach on the table.
“When do you have time?” she asked, remembering the last time she’d tried something new and had ended up nearly killing him with her butt.
“What’s that?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at her face and sitting down. “You’re thinking about something that made you frown.”
She rolled her eyes and focused on her plate of food. “Just remembering that last time I tried something new.”
“This morning? Or last night?”
She glanced up, unchewed egg hanging out in her mouth. “Hm?” she questioned.
“Last night you tried sushi for the first time. I seem to remember you enjoyed it. And this morning we did yoga on the beach.” He reached for his coffee and eyed her seriously as he took a slow sip.
She finished chewing and swallowed. “Holy crap, you’re right,” she said, sounding just as shocked as she felt.
She was rewarded with one of Kip’s grins.
Yep. Still breathtaking.
“How about today?” he asked. “I have this entire weekend off.”
“I can’t,” she grumbled. Ugh. She’d forgotten she had plans that day. “I have a date this afternoon.”
“I didn’t know you were dating someone,” he said, his attention on his food.
“I’m not.” Tessa sighed. “I mean, I am. I’m dating in general.” She used her hands to gesture in circles, as if that would help her. “Not one person in particular. Except for today.”
She rubbed the fingertips of one hand on her forehead.
“Today you’re dating someone in particular?” Kip asked slowly, humor lighting his eyes.
“Yes. But not usually.”
“You usually date more ambiguously?” His lips pressed together to keep from smiling.
Tessa huffed a frustrated laugh. “I’m really not as big of a mess as I come across.”
“Oh, I think you are,” Kip said, his voice rough. “But I’m not complaining.”
Her eyes darted to his and he held her gaze. Flustered, she reached for her coffee and broke eye contact.
“What about tomorrow?” he asked.
When she glanced up again, he was focused on his plate.
“What about tomorrow?” she asked, her mind blank.
“For longboarding.” He sat back in his chair, as casual as ever.
“Oh, yeah,” she blinked rapidly. “I can do that.”
“Good.” Kip took a sip of his coffee and caught her eye. His lips quirked up on one side. “Then it’s a date.”
***
Tessa nodded along to what Kevin was saying even though she was mostly checked out.
It probably wasn’t fair to Kevin.
He seemed… nice.
She’d met him a few days ago at the dinner with her parents. Gayle and James’ son with the new practice. He’d been polite, but unremarkable, and it had been easy for her to agree to a date on Saturday.
And that’s where they were now.
Except Tessa was wishing she was on the beach with a very specific yogi with sea green eyes and dark hair.
And that realization alone should have had her texting to cancel tomorrow.
Because she was deep in like with him.
But he seemed unconcerned she was dating—which she both loved and hated. On one hand, it was incredible to not have a wave of jealousy hit her like it always had when she thought she’d had a good guy friend only to find out they were playing “the long game.” On the other hand, she was struck with the odd sensation of disappointment. But maybe that was because the only experience she’d really had with masculine interest was from a negative reaction.
Ew.
Don’t chase that thought.
“It’ll take a while to finally break even, but I know it’ll happen eventually. What about you?”
Tessa tuned back in. “Hm?” she asked, not knowing what kind of question she was supposed to be answering.
Kevin smiled like he knew she hadn’t been listening and she was stabbed with guilt.
“Are you working on anything lately that scares you?” he repeated his question.
“Oh, well.” Tessa set her napkin in her lap and reached for her water as she formulated her response.
God bless Kevin for being a decent human being.
“I’m starting a new route at work next week, so that should be interesting.” She set her glass down and thought about Kip. “And I have a friend teaching me how to longboard this weekend.”
Kevin’s dark eyebrows
lifted in interest. “I haven’t done that since high school.”
“Right?” Tessa chuckled. “Maybe I’m crazy.”
“Your new route?” Keven asked. “Is that the one your parents were talking about last week?”
Tessa easily discussed work with Kevin throughout the rest of dinner. She had to admit that it was nice to talk to someone who understood the basics of what she did without treating her like a drug smuggler.
But that was as far as things were going to progress with Kevin, despite her mother’s not-so-stealthy matchmaking attempts.
He dropped her off at her apartment with a chaste kiss on the cheek and a promise to “see you around sometime.”
Apparently, it hadn’t been a love connection for either one.
But it also hadn’t been awful.
It was just another example of two people looking for something and not finding it.
Yet.
But Tessa was hopeful she’d find her person someday.
***
Tessa parked her car off to the side of the beach house beside Brady’s truck and Kip’s bus. She flipped the visor down to take one more look at her tired eyes that she’d managed to slap some mascara on before running out the door.
Meeting this early hadn’t been her idea. But she also didn’t suggest an alternative when Kip texted her when and where to meet.
So far, Kip was the only person who could successfully get her out of bed and excited about something that early in the morning.
If Spencer had been around at all, she’d have been shocked.
As she cleared the parked cars and headed towards the front of the house, she spotted Kip sitting on the steps leading up the porch.
His peaceful gaze aimed at her.
It did funny things to her insides.
“Morning,” he greeted warmly when she was close enough. He handed her a cup of coffee and gestured to the space beside him.
“You are an angel,” she sighed, taking the coffee and joining him.
He chuckled. “Thought I should reward you for being here so early.”
She took a sip and closed her eyes. Sweet, sweet, nectar.
“I brought your stuff from the shop.” He jerked his chin to the left indicating a pile of equipment. “I thought we’d start with the basics here in the road and then move to a more public location when you feel comfortable.”
“Today?” she asked, swallowing the hot coffee too fast and coughing.
“Not unless you learn to longboard much faster than you do yoga,” he teased.
Tessa rolled her eyes. “I guess it depends on my teacher.”
He smirked and looked away.
The beach house was situated at the end of a long road with no outlet. It had a private drive up a slight incline, but the main road was flat. And with the nearest house several meters up the street, there was no traffic.
“I took a few liberties when I picked out your stuff.” Kip stood and stretched for a moment before taking a step down onto the walkway.
The sliver of skin he exposed at his middle when his arms were over his head was tan and tattooed.
Not that Tessa cared.
But in case someone else cared.
Now she could tell them.
Kip tossed her a snapback Soaring Bird hat and she immediately put it on backwards.
“Is this how the cool kids wear it?” she asked, tilting her head and pouting.
Kip smiled while biting his bottom lip.
That funny feeling on Tessa’s insides?
It was back and singing showtunes again.
“This beauty is yours,” he said rolling a hot pink longboard towards her.
It stopped when it bumped into the steps. Tessa picked it up, eyes roving over the bright color.
“It has glitter on it,” she stated, her fingernails lightly scraping over the decoration on the back fin—a pink, glittery bird in mid-flight.
“You struck me as the kind of girl who likes some sparkle in her life.”
Tessa hugged the board to her chest and stared in open adoration at Kip.
“All right, you clown.” He shook his head and headed towards the street, his own board tucked under his arm.
Tessa jogged to catch up with him.
“How comfortable are you with falling down?” he asked.
“I’m not a professional, if that’s what you’re asking.”
He rolled his eyes, unimpressed.
“You remember how we met, Kip. Falling isn’t a foreign concept to me. I perfected the tuck and roll early in childhood.”
“Good, because you’ll probably fall a few times.” He turned to face her, his expression serious. “But that’s normal. We all fall down. Don’t let it discourage you.”
“Right,” she breathed, nodding along.
But if she could ask for one thing, it would be Kip looking at her that way over and over again for the rest of her life.
Like he took her seriously. Like this wasn’t just to humor her, but because he was really invested.
“Okay, first we need to figure out your stance. If you’re regular or goofy-footed.” Kip set his board down and stepped onto it with his right foot.
“What’s the difference?” she asked, already thinking maybe she’d made a mistake.
“It’s what foot you’re most comfortable leading with. Left foot forward is regular and right foot forward is goofy.”
“How am I supposed to know?” Tessa asked.
“If you were going to slide across the room in your socks, which foot would you lead with?”
Tessa frowned as she tried to picture the scenario and adjusted her body to what felt right.
Kip’s light laugh caught her attention. “Of course you’d be goofy.”
She tried not to blush, but that’s not how blushing works so instead she frowned. “Is that bad?”
“No,” Kip replied instantly, waving his hands near his waist. “Not at all. You’re just…” He shook his head and sighed. “You’re super adorable.”
Kip took her board from her hands and set it on the ground in front of her.
“Stand on the board, right foot in front, feet perpendicular.”
Tessa put one foot on the board and it started to roll so she backed off. Kip curled one hand around her waist and gripped her left hand with his other one.
“I got you,” he said, much closer than before.
Tessa swallowed but did as she was told. The board teetered back and forth beneath her as she fought to keep her balance.
Kip held on.
“It’s supposed to tilt like that. Don’t be afraid to lean back and forth and find your balance.”
Tessa did as he said and tightened her grip on his hand.
“What we want to do is get comfortable. It feels strange at first because it’s new,” Kip explained quietly as he gently unfolded his fingers from hers. “But the more you practice, the easier it’ll become.”
“Uh huh,” she mumbled, staring down at her feet and wondering if she should have chosen a better pair of shoes for this.
“Leaning forward on your toes will turn you one way, leaning back on your heels will turn you the other. That’s how you’ll steer yourself from place to place.”
Both Kip’s hands were on her waist now, gentle but present. She got the feeling that if she fell, he’d catch her.
“I’m going to start you walking now.” He gave a soft nudge with his hands and the board beneath her began to roll.
Her arms flailed out to the sides to keep her balance and she teetered back and forth.
“We’re just going to walk slowly in a circle. I want you to lean forward on your toes to carve the board…yep, just like that.”
Tessa’s heart raced as she successfully turned the board with Kip’s direction and him powering their movement.
“And now let’s try it with your heels. Good!”
He sounded so pleased with her that she squeezed her hands into tight fists and grinne
d.
They weaved back and forth in an “S” shape in the road.
“I feel a little silly,” she blurted out.
Kip stopped her and she stepped off the board before he let go of her waist.
He came around her so he could look her in the face. “Why do you feel silly?”
“Because.” Tessa gestured to the beautiful pink board beside her. “It’s so simple and you’re treating me like…”
His eyebrows dipped. “How am I treating you?”
She rolled her eyes, wishing she hadn’t have said anything. “Like… it matters.”
Kip’s eyes narrowed, and his frown deepened. “What do you mean?” he asked carefully.
Geez. Explaining herself was always a crap shoot with him. Why did her words and intention get so lost inside her before finding its way out?
“I mean,” she said slowly, taking a deep breath. “You treat me like my learning matters. To you.”
“Does it matter to you?” he asked.
“Well, yeah.”
“Then it matters to me,” he stated plainly. “And learning something new is never simple. Now, get back up. Let’s go around again before I show you how to push off on your own.”
Tessa didn’t argue and they resumed their previous positions. They went around more than once. They actually went around several more times before Tessa finally started to get the feel of carving on her own and keeping her balance.
She glanced down at Kip’s arms by her side and the blue octopus tattoo caught her eye.
She loved that thing.
The more she saw it, the more she wanted one just like it. She wanted to touch it and trace all the curves and swirls with her fingertips.
“Okay,” Kip interrupted her thoughts. “I think we’re ready to start pushing off now.”
He stopped them and she got off the board.
“After that, I’ll show you how to stop and then we can call it a day.”
For the next step, he showed her the movement on his own board. Then he had her try it on her own.
Showing her how to stop was more of a trick. He told her to basically run off the board. When he demonstrated, he made it look so easy. When she tried it, her feet hit the pavement hard and she stumbled forward before finally regaining her balance.
Sushi and Sun Salutations Page 8