Sunkissed Serendipity

Chapter 40

Isla

I didn't expect Julian to text me and ask to hang out with me. Truthfully, I thought that after the kiss that almost happened the morning after we slept together—a not-so-intimate way, but way intimate if you really think about how close we were and how I had slept tangled in between his legs. It was intimate to the point where I felt his warmth as we shared the bed—Julian was putting distance between us. He had seemed so unselfish when we exchanged words whenever he would come home and I would need to leave.

I noticed his energy, and I had two theories. Either it was his dad's case that caused his quiet manner, or it was the kiss. His dad's case did have an emotional effect on him, but I also didn't know. He didn't make much of an effort to talk to me, and whenever we did, it was nothing like the time he was so excited to see me after he came back from work. I missed that side of him.

I was happy to see that he asked to hang out with me anyway.

I texted back, so what do you feel like doing?

His reply comes back quick: Can I see you as early as tomorrow morning? I can pick you up after breakfast, and we can hang out on the water.

At your house?

Yeah. We can drive out further into the ocean if you want, though.

That's cool. I type back with a smile on my face. I was so jealous that he got to live on the water (basically) and use it whenever he wanted, so I didn't mind hanging out there. It was more than okay.

Okay, I will pick you up at 10, if that works.

That does. I finish off our conversation with that and tuck my phone away. I would be hanging out with Julian again tomorrow, so I was really glad for that.

•

By 9:30 tomorrow morning, I am dressed and ready for the day. I have a yellow bikini with large, colorful flowers on it, and on top of it, I throw on a white dress with pink flowers on it. It fell a few inches above my knee, and I liked how it fit my torso perfectly. It was also a simple outfit for the day. I grab a claw clip with me, but I keep my hair down for now.

I head into my kitchen to grab some food, and I end up just having some yogurt. It's usually the breakfast I choose to have almost every day because it's easy and I'm a lazy girl.

Once it neared the time of 10 o'clock, I headed into my living room and took a while a while to wait. I hear Julian's car pull up to my house, pick up my stuff, and head out. I have a water bottle in my hand and a bag perched on my shoulder. Once I get to the passenger side of the door, Julian reaches over from the inside and pushes it open for me. I get in with a grateful smile, but I notice that he isn't smiling much.

He still has his sungks over his eyes, his lips turned down just a tiny bit at the corners. He looked distant, even though I was sitting right next to him. "Hi," I say.

"Hey," he answers, turning his head to look at me. He only glances at my seatbelt, and with an embrassed chuckle, I pull it over my body. After I'm done, Julian pulls out of my house and into the street. I look over at where he was waiting quietly and ask, "Are you okay?"

He flexes his hand on the steering wheel, tapping it a few times before he clears his throat and says, "I'm fine."

I read the expression on his face and decided not to tell him about it. He wasn't fine, and honestly, he looked to be battling with a lot of feelings today. But he didn't want to talk about it, judging by his response, so I would respect that. I turn away from him, thinking about what he could be battling with. I fall into a rather deep thought when I feel a hand placed on mine. Startled, I look over to find Julian looking at me. I couldn't see his eyes, but I knew he was looking over at me.