by Sarah Gay
“Almost five. Which is why I wanted to assure your safe arrival myself. I know you’re an independent woman, but I feel a responsibility for you…as you’re my guests,” he stuttered.
“Wasn’t easy finding a flight here in less than two weeks. Schools are just getting out for the summer.”
“You should’ve allowed me to purchase your flights.”
“I appreciated the offer, but I have tons of flight miles to burn through.”
“How’s the cargo?” Zee motioned to the back seat where Ethan was lying on the bench.
Tori reached in to wake him. “He fell asleep again? He was just asking me if he could get in the water.”
“Hold on.” Zee placed his hand on Tori’s shoulder. “Let me carry him to your room.”
“He’s too heavy,” Tori protested.
“Haven’t you seen how big and strong I am? Maybe you didn’t get a good look at my ripped muscles.”
“I remember the last time you ripped your muscles. You couldn’t walk for two days.”
Zee pulled Ethan from the car, draping him onto his chest and over his shoulder. “I would appreciate it if you would remember my amazing climb.” He cleared his throat. “Not the unfortunate injury that followed.”
“The unfortunate injury is what makes you real. Isn’t that what you’re all about, being real, surfer boy?”
“Let’s see who calls who boy tomorrow. You’re going to be calling me the surf master.”
A whoosh of wind, followed by deep whooping animal sounds, rattled the forested area adjacent to the open-air hotel lobby. Tori clutched Zee’s arm. “What was that?”
“That was a nocturnal primate, the Howler Monkey.”
“At least they got the name right. That was the loudest sound I’ve ever heard come out of an animal, other than my son.”
“I’ve heard African Safaris can get loud. Ever been?”
Tori’s excitement spiked. She’d dreamed of visiting Africa ever since she was a teenager. That dream was solidified after becoming friends with the refugees from the gardens. “No. It would be a first. But, if you’re asking, the answer’s yes.”
“I like that answer.” He smiled, causing Tori to stumble through the doorway and into her suite.
The room was massive. The entrance sitting area was furnished with a tan couch, two formal chairs, and a coffee table. Past the sitting are stood a king-sized bed.
As Tori’s eyes swept the room past the bed to the glass windows, which were more walls than windows, her mouth dropped open. The ocean was omnipresent. The open floor plan afforded an unobstructed view of the ocean from every inch of the suite.
“This is spectacular! I can’t imagine anyone designing it any better.” Tori scrunched up her lips as she placed a hand on her hip. “I would, perhaps, place a chaise right here, instead of this Victorian inspired chair.”
“I thought Queen Victoria was your great-aunt? How can you dis her that way?”
“Clever boy. Excuse me.” Tori said, stepping out onto the balcony. “I mean, master.”
The rising sun in the eastern sky produced pink and light-blue streaks, layering the clouds with cotton candy fluff above the aquamarine oceanic waters.
“Wow.” Tori gasped. “Isn’t it too early for the sun to rise?”
“Not here. The sun rises close to 5am this time of year in Costa Rica. Based on longitude, Costa Rica should be in line with Florida, not Utah, but you Utahans share the same local time.”
“Utahns,” Tori corrected, breathing in the salty air. “Can’t wait to walk the beach.”
“Why wait?” Zee held out his hand, “Take your first walk on a Costa Rican beach with me.”
16
The spongy sand remained cool and damp as dawn broke into day. Tori held a sandal in each hand as they walked along the moon-shaped beach. Tori’s excitement of sharing their first experiences together intensified.
“Can I see those,” Zee asked, pointing to her sandals.
That was an unusual request. “Sure,” she said in a surprised tone, handing him her sandals.
He took them into one hand, then slid his fingers between hers with the other. Ignoring the rising heat ignited by his touch, she looked up at him and smiled. He knew how to make a girl unsteady, and he was using those skills.
Zee squeezed her hand lightly. “Annie is beside herself that you’re here for her wedding. She left a dress in your closet for the ceremony. And a tux for Ethan.”
“A dress? But I brought a…” Tori rethought naming the designer of her gown. She’d worn it at the opening ceremony for a repertory hall years ago. “Am I a part of…” She didn’t know how to ask.
“You’re a bridesmaid.”
“But I’m…” She stopped herself from saying it, or looking down at her wedding band.
“You’re family now.”
“Family?” Tori couldn’t hide her anxiety.
“She’s grown close to your entire family over the past several months. She can’t stop talking about your mom, and what a strong woman she is.”
“Oh, I see.” Tori sighed. “I’d be honored.”
“You know what I see?” he asked, turning in front of her, which stopped their progression down the beach.
Internally shaken, she hesitated momentarily before soliciting a response. “Hm?”
“Your mother’s strength in you.”
It was a touching compliment, but one that deflated her spirits. She allowed her face to visibly fall. “Thank you, Zee. That was kind of you.”
Zee took a step toward her. “Why the long face?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Nothing is a scary place to be.”
Tori shuddered as Zee’s hands found their way along her back and pulled her into a sheltering embrace.
“I’ve been there.” His breath warmed her cheek.
As Tori’s heart softened, so did her will. She’d forgotten how sublime it felt to be held this way. She submitted to the spirited tingling now flowing through her body like effervescent water. She rested her lips on Zee’s neck and inhaled his peppery scent. His smell was intoxicating, but she suddenly remembered her full day of travel, and her noxious odor.
“You smell like aromatic spice,” she said, pulling away. “But I need a shower.”
“You smell amazing. You smell real.” He stepped back. “Want to know what beautiful is?”
She tilted her head down, batting her eyelashes with a raised brow of disbelief. “Real?”
“Beautiful is the confidence to allow your weaknesses to be seen by others, not hidden beneath make-up and pretense. Yes, beautiful is being real. Beautiful is being happy.” He slowly took her hands in his. “Beautiful is you. Right here. Right now.” He waved his hand in front of his nose. “Stinky and all.”
“Hey! I’m not—”
She caught his devious smile just before his laugh trembled the inner corners of her mouth. The listless words she muttered were drowned in his moist kiss. Tori’s fingers curled together behind Zee’s neck, pulling his lips firmer against hers as she contemplated her absolute state of happiness.
“Zee!” Ethan called from the balcony.
Zee lifted his head from hers. Tori’s sense of propriety struck her like a whip across the cheek. She took in a deep breath and turned to face her son, who was now leaning against the railing of their balcony.
“Do you think he saw us?” Tori asked between closed teeth.
“Not a chance,” he said, shaking his head. “And I don’t think he can hear us either, unless he’s Superman’s progeny. Or Pax’s. Paxton has this crazy supersonic hearing. Be careful what you say around him.”
Tori’s mind flew back to all her conversations in Paxton’s presence, hopefully she hadn’t said anything incriminating.
“Ready to surf?” Ethan yelled.
Zee threw his hands in the air. “Always. Let’s do it!”
“Zee, it’s okay. You don’t have to.” Tori took Zee’s arm as
they walked back toward the hotel. “Why don’t you get some sleep first?”
“You’re not getting out of this. I only have you here for two days. I’m taking you surfing, then on a canopy zipline. Then tomorrow is wedding all day.”
“Don’t you sleep?” Tori asked in a hopeful voice, because she could sure use some sleep.
“Sleep can wait,” he said, placing a piece of her windblown hair behind her ear. “My time with you can’t.”
Sleep and a bath were on Tori’s agenda. “Shower?”
“The ocean is Mother Nature’s shower. She’ll do you right.”
They stumbled into Annie as she adjusted her camera on a tripod where the sand met the sidewalk.
Tori!” Annie wrapped Tori in a country embrace. “I’m so happy you could come to my wedding!”
“Thanks for inviting us. What a beautiful venue.”
“Meri insisted on making all the arrangements. How could I say no to that? Do you mind if Paxton and I tag along with you ziplining?”
“Of course not.”
“Great,” Annie said, jumping up and down. “I’ve never been. It’ll be a first for me too.”
Tori pointed to Annie’s camera. It looked like it could zoom in on the South Pole. She tilted her head to one side and furrowed her brow. “Is that the same camera that you had in St. George? Looks fancy. Where did you get it?”
“Oh, this old thing?” Annie laughed. “It is actually a few years old, ancient in today’s tech world. It takes high quality video as well. I bought it off a friend of mine who’s an Irish photographer.”
“Irish photographer? Is he based in Ireland?”
“No.” Annie shook her head. “He’s Irish. I mean, he pretends to be Irish. Actually, he’s not Irish, or a photographer. He’s a physician, but his wife buys him camera equipment. When I say that out-loud, it sounds crazy, doesn’t it?”
Tori enjoyed Annie’s happy demeanor and unique flair for life. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Anyway,” Annie waved her hands in the air, “you’ll meet them tonight at the family dinner, and I hope to have a few photos for my next book cover by then.” She tapped her camera.
Annie adjusted her camera tripod as they approached the hotel. “Getting some good shots?” Zee questioned.
“Fabulous! You’re going to love these. Paxton did a sky dive to the beach. I was pleasantly surprised to get more than I’d asked for.”
“That’s dedication.” Tori was impressed. “Can’t wait to see them.”
Zee gave Annie a sideways glance. “What are you up to, Annie?”
“I have no idea what you mean,” she said with an innocent smile. “See you guys at Playa Conchal.”
17
Zee settled his surf board into the sand, then lay back on his board, pulling his arms up to relax his hands beneath his head. He smiled, thinking of his next kiss with Tori. His bare chest and legs compounded his euphoria through the absorption of happy vitamins from the sun’s rays.
No dry suit needed today. The tropical waters were a perfect relief from the hot and humid, coastal climate. Mornings were hot, afternoons were not. That was Zee’s motto for the Costa Rican green season. Every afternoon, during the green, rainy season, the skies would cloud over and release a torrential downpour.
Rain or shine, how could he get Tori alone for more lip time? She obviously felt uncomfortable with Ethan witnessing any affection she and Zee shared. Did that have to do with not wanting Ethan to be uncomfortable with another man in her life? But Ethan knew Zee liked his mom, he even encouraged it. And Ethan absolutely witnessed them kissing, but it didn’t seem to bother him in the least.
Was she ready to start a relationship? She kissed him back with an intensity that almost brought Zee to his knees, begging her to stay a few more days, but he didn’t want to come off as needy or obsessive.
“Is that our surf position?” Tori joked.
A bright red and yellow splashed sarong wound around her neck and tied at her waist. Eyes, Zee. Look at her eyes. Why was a ten-year-old kid’s voice in his head?
“You guys ready to do this?” Zee jumped up and gave Ethan bones. “Got your boards right here."
The other two boards were resting on the beach next to Zee’s.
“I’ve always seen surfboards sticking vertically out of the sand,” Tori exclaimed. “Why are these lying flat?”
“We’re going to practice before we get into the water.”
Ethan shook his head. “Can’t that hurt the board.”
“It can. The fins are somewhat fragile. I was careful placing them into the shells.”
Ethan leaned over and grabbed a handful of miniature shells. “Cool! Look, Mom, this whole beach is made of perfect little shells.”
“Playa Conchal.” Zee nodded. “Shell Beach. There are only a few of beaches like this in the world. At least that I’ve seen.”
“Where?” Ethan questioned.
“Australia, great surfing, and Washington state, straight up the coast from here.” Zee pointed up the beach. “About thirty-five hundred miles that way.”
“Definite first for me.” Tori clapped her hands. “Never been on a beach like this before.” She took Ethan’s shells in her hands and sifted through them.
Zee touched her shoulder. “Next stop, Australia.”
“Right?” she said with suspicion, “because that’s closer than Washington.”
“Warmer, and better surfing,” Zee replied. “But we could also do Washington, if you’d like.”
“No need to convince me. I’d love to see both.”
Tori was turning out to be the world traveler Zee was hoping she’d be, but would she be okay with building wells in rural Africa? She had the dress for it. He allowed himself to scan how her colorful cloth fit.
A bony elbow to the ribs brought Zee back inside his body.
Ethan looked up at him. “We gonna surf, or what?”
“Okay, folks. Lie down on your boards like so, with your stomach resting roughly in the middle of the board.” Zee took the familiar paddling position. “Keep your chest up and feet together, then paddle with your arms.”
“Do we dog paddle?” Tori did arm swings that resembled a toddler learning how to swim.
“No.” Zee coughed down a laugh. “You want your arms to do full extensions down the sides of the board. Paddling is a wicked exercise for your back, because you need to keep your feet out of the water to decrease resistance.”
Ethan sighed. “Got it. Can we get in now?”
“Almost. We’re going to jump up onto our boards, then talk safety.”
“Seriously,” Ethan rolled his eyes, “you sound like my mom.”
He winked at Tori. “I take that as a compliment.”
Tori gave her son the eye. “You either listen to Zee, or you don’t surf. I’m not taking any chances with my baby.”
“Mom,” he whined, “you gotta stop calling me that.”
“We’re about to ride a wave! Find where your shoulders are and grab the rails of your board.” Zee looked over to assure their hands were placed correctly on the sides of their boards. “Now push off, and, while jumping in one fluid movement, land on both feet in a sideways stance.” Zee landed his feet exactly where he wanted them.
“Is that how far apart my feet should be?” Tori questioned, looking down at her feet, which were almost touching each other.
“Ah?” Zee avoided being critical. “The great thing is, we just keep practicing until we land it.”
Tori’s eyes grew wide and her face deepened five shades to scarlet. He wasn’t sure what he’d said to create that reaction in her, but it seemed like the perfect moment. He moved in to see if she would accept a kiss from him.
She gave him a look of caution before bursting into bubbly giggles.
Ethan threw his hands in the air. “Mom, what is with you today?”
“Low altitude,” she laughed out. “I’m not used to the high oxygen saturation
.”
Ethan scrunched up his nose. “Is there less oxygen in the mountains, Zee?”
“Definitely,” Zee affirmed. I was light-headed in Park City. Tell you the truth, I’ve been floating a little higher ever since I visited your mountains.” He brushed Tori’s hair off her bare shoulder.
Ethan put his hand on his hip, unknowingly mimicking his mother. “What are you guys talking about?”
“Nothing, baby.”
“Stop calling me that, and I know you’re talking about something. Is this about your crush on my mom, Zee?”
“No secrets?” Zee turned to Tori.
She shook her head, kicking the mound of shells at her feet. “No secrets.” She sighed her apparent resignation. “Baby, Zee and I are kind of dating.”
His incredulous face didn’t need words, but they were offered. “Well, yeah.”
Tori tilted her face to her son. “What do you mean by, well yeah?”
“I’m not a two-year-old.” Ethan rolled his eyes. “Everyone knows you like each other. Stop trying to hide your sappiness.”
“Yes!” Zee exclaimed. “Now we’re getting somewhere.” Tori and Ethan didn’t seem as exhilarated at the proclamation of mutual affection as Zee was. “And, by the looks on your faces, I’d say you’d like to get in the ocean. Let’s paddle out.”
18
The first drops of afternoon rain plipped off the metal railing of the balcony. Water was everywhere. Tori blew her nose, simultaneously bouncing up and down to get the water out of her right ear. She was waterlogged.
Ethan had become a pro surfer after two waves, but Tori had tumbled through the waves like a limp noodle in a washing machine. Firsts are not always easy, Zee had said. It was very possible that she wouldn’t need fluids for a week. She was that saturated.
Her declaration of affection for Zee had caused Ethan to have a perma-smile. It caused her to have a perma-smile. Could she have a real relationship with Zee? Up until this point she had never even thought that possible. She was hesitant, but hopeful.