C'mere (Paul Banks fanfic)

Surfing

Paul was bitter about cancelling a surfing trip to Costa Rica because of the first hearing in court, but at the same time, he was grateful to have an occasion to meet Rhi.

He couldn't get her out of his head, even more than normally, after that casual meeting in the art gallery. He had seen her in the company of another girl, her sister, possibly, they looked very much alike. He had regretted having come with that model, seeing as Rhi was almost alone. Her fiancé was nowhere to be seen. He wondered what kind of man he was, to deserve to marry a woman like Rhiannon and still not be around during social gatherings.

- I was suppossed to be surfing this week... - He couldn't help but comment to Ly when they were waiting for Rhiannon in their office. The assistant grimaced with true regret.

Rhi entered the room exactly then.

- So maybe it's a good thing the hearing takes place this week. - She snapped, sternly.

Paul turned around smiling, he knew perfectly well it was her, not only because of her voice, but also because he had got to the point where he could recognise her footsteps on the marble floor. She had a beautiful silk blouse and elegant trousers, paired with really high, fancy heels. She wasn't just pretty. She was the next thing.

- What do you mean? - He inquired, playfully.

- Surfing is an unnecessary appeal to death, don't you think? - She commented as she walked around the table to stand in front of them.

Both Ly and Paul sniggered.

- I don't, to be quite honest. If I did, I wouldn't do it. I find it completely gratifying and exactly the opposite to death appealing. - He answered.

- Do you mean it actually gives you life? - Ly intervened enthusiastically, and he nodded.

Rhi rolled her eyes at Lydia encouraging him, and sat down.

- How would sliding on a little board over tonnes of water moving at an ungodly pace give anybody life?

- Well, for starters, - He replied pertly. - it keeps you in good shape because you need to stay strong and balanced to fight the pull of the waves and stay on the board. Swimming, in general, is an excellent exercise. Also, the endorphins are good for your heart and health altogether, the sun helps your body synthesise vitamin D... I can go on.

Ly chortled, and Rhi eyed him, smiling.

- So it's a very good and suicidal thing to do. - She concluded, pulling out the papers they were working on that day.

- You wouldn't let me surf if you were my girlfriend?

The question was so sudden, Rhi had to stop reading and looked up. Ly moved in her chair, this had gone awkward in a second.

- I wish that, as your lawyer, I could prevent you from it. - Rhi answered, rearranging her spectacles on her nose. - I'm working hard for you, the last thing I'd need is you dying because you like preposterous activities.

Paul laughed quietly.

- I wish I could take you surfing one day to show you it's completely different than you think. I'm sure it would change your mind.

- Well, the day there are high enough waves in the Hudson, I'll come pick you up myself to go surf. - She joked.

- That's a shame. Would you surf with me, Ly?

The assistant blushed and lowered her voice to an almost inaudible whisper.

- I would love to.

Rhi shook her head, as Paul glared at her triumphantly.

-

- She must really like you. - Ly told Paul when Rhi had left the meeting to go see another client in East Village. He looked at her, curious and cautiously. - She let you win an argument. You know, all the talk about surfing.

He chuckled.

- I'm sure that was not an argument!

- Oh she never lets go when she has a point. Which she actually did today.

- So you think surfing is suicidal? - He concluded with a sad tone. She nodded shyly. - But you said you'd come surf with me?

She nodded again, smiling.

- I just love extreme sports. - She finally confessed.

Paul let out a satisfied laugh.

-

- Have you ever surfed, love? - Rhi asked Lee that night, as they laid on her bed, cuddling.

- Like surfing on waves and stuff?

- Yes, surfing, with a board, on the sea.

- Ah, you know I grew up here in the city. Not many places to do that, huh?

- But your parents have a beach house in Los Cabos.

- Yeah, they do. But Luke and I went there just to party all the time. Hardly ever in fact went to the beach , you know?

Rhi nodded. Lee and his older brother, Luke were well known among the socialités for their wild, unapologetic lifestyle. Rhi had been pleasantly surprised when she met Lee and she found this sweet, sensitive and chivalrous young man. She had fallen hopelessly in love with him within 3 months of knowing him. She had tried to rationalise what she had heard about him and how he acted around her. It's as if they were two different people. The player and this bloke who seemed to worship her. Two years later, they were about to get married. She sighed, satisfied.

-

Paul had to fight hard the urge to ask Ly what she meant by "She must really like you". It was inappropriate and tacky.

But Lydia knew her boss better than any other person Paul knew. If there was somebody who could shed some light on what he hoped to know, it was her. On the other hand, he had noticed the cute redhead awkwardly trying to be flirty or seductive from the moment they met. What kind of a dick asks a girl who apparently likes him about another girl?

"No way." He thought as they walked out of the building after the meeting. Lydia had offered to escort him there before returning to her office. He kissed her forehead good-bye and walked away with all the questions in the back of his mind.