JUST FRIENDS

21

"Wow," Maze took the free hand that wasn't holding the end of her Ironman popsicle and fanned herself, "if it's this hot in February, we really are in the rapture."

She had surprised him with a mini trip to Savannah to help ease the pre-debut jitters he was facing from the big show being three days away, and he could admit that the ocean breeze blowing in was enough to calm his nerves considerably.

An unexpected heatwave had crept through last night and was forecasted to stick for the next couple of days, breaking the mild and rarely ever freezing South Georgia winter.

The warmth and clear skies had practically turned everything from brown to green overnight- butterflies wasted no time breaking out of cocoons to flap their wings, birds sang whistle tones with gusto, ice cream trucks were up and running; if he squinted his eyes until his pupils were half covered, it kinda sorta felt like home. Not as exotic but close. Like trying to conjure up a forgotten memory, the details were a little lost, the colors not as vibrant, but the beauty was undeniable.

Blu took a deep breath of the salty air, a light draft causing the curtains in their quaint bed and breakfast to flutter with life.

He enjoyed it here. On the wall their were vintage surfboards hung up, seashell accents, pastel colors everywhere, it felt as if he had traveled back in time to visit a classic beach house from the 1970s.

"You love it, don't you?" Maze asked, sprawled out on the bed they'd be sharing, wearing a babydoll dress that was entirely too short for her to sit in like that.

His eyes traced her thighs as he leaned back on the wall, a smile shy on his lips. "You did your research."

"No research needed. I just know what you want." She winked.

"I'm sure you do." He couldn't help but to watch her mouth on the popsicle with a quiet, fixed obsession. After all, his object of desire was dead center on the bed, one small movement away from flashing her panties and clearly flirting with him.

"Blu, you can't just stare at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you're hungry."

"What if I am?"

"Then c'mere." Maze pointed the icy popsicle at him while using her free hand to pat the space next to her. "Try some,"

He knew exactly what it tasted like but he wasn't about to bypass an opportunity to get closer to her, have their mouths on the same thing at once.

Blu strolled over nonchalantly, laying next to where she sat, propped his arms behind his head, poker face ready to hide his satisfaction. Still, inside of him was the warm thrill he used to have years ago when they were much younger, back when the two would share lollipops alongside ice cream cones and really, anything else since their allowance combined could only get them one of each.

For him, it was a glorious time. Anytime they bought a specialty drink from the Candy Lady around the block from the park, he'd twist the cup around, purposely lining his lips up with the mark of Maze's tinted lipgloss. That was his way of stealing kisses.

"Mmm," he hummed his approval, warming the syrupy sugar with his mouth like layers of Maze were trapped in the ice.

Absently, she played with the ends of his hair while watching him, her interest officially peaked. "Sweet, right?"

"Not nearly enough." Their eyes locked.

His phone, which had been ringing nonstop since they commenced their road trip, started its chiming again.