Always you

Chapter 17

The buzz of excitement was palpable as Sasha stepped out of the car and onto the soft sand of the beach. It was The Swell, a rare and much-anticipated day in the Outer Banks when the waves were at their absolute best. Businesses had closed for the day, families and friends had gathered, and the beach was alive with laughter, music, and the salty tang of the ocean breeze.

Sasha squinted against the bright sunlight, spotting Sarah, Layla, Kiara, and the rest of the group already setting up a spot near the water. A cluster of surfboards stood propped up in the sand, and Rafe's unmistakable figure was busy waxing his board.

"There she is!" Sarah waved her over, her grin wide and welcoming.

Sasha waved back, adjusting her bag on her shoulder as she made her way over. The moment she reached them, Sarah looped an arm around her. "We were starting to think you'd chicken out!"

"Not a chance," Sasha replied with a laugh. "I've been looking forward to this all week."

Rafe looked up at her voice, his gaze lingering as he straightened. His smirk was easy and casual, but Sasha couldn't ignore the flicker of warmth in his eyes. "You surf, Sasha?" he asked, nodding toward the boards.

"Not really," she admitted, brushing her hair back. "I've tried a few times, but I'm not great at it."

"Good thing you've got me then," Rafe said, picking up his board and tossing it under his arm. "I'll teach you. Come on."

Before Sasha could protest, he was walking toward the waves, leaving her no choice but to follow. She grabbed one of the spare boards, jogging to catch up with him.

Out in the water, Sasha wobbled on her board for what felt like the hundredth time, her balance teetering precariously before she fell with a splash. When she resurfaced, coughing and laughing, Rafe was already paddling over to her, his expression a mix of amusement and patience.

"You're not committing," he said, leaning casually on his board. "You've got to stand up with confidence, or you'll wipe out every time."

"Easy for you to say," Sasha muttered, pushing her wet hair out of her face.

"Come on, try again. I'll help this time."

Rafe positioned her board and guided her into the lineup. When the next wave rolled in, he steadied the board as Sasha paddled and then pushed her forward with a firm shove. "Stand up!" he called.

This time, Sasha managed to find her footing, her arms outstretched for balance as the wave carried her toward the shore. The exhilaration was immediate, a mix of fear and triumph. She let out a whoop of excitement before the wave finally overtook her and she fell again, landing in the shallow water with a splash.

Rafe was waiting when she emerged, his grin wide and proud. "There you go! See? You've got it."

"Barely," Sasha said, laughing as she shoved his shoulder lightly. "But I guess you're not the worst teacher."

They spent the rest of the afternoon riding waves, laughing, and cheering each other on. Sasha felt lighter than she had in weeks, her worries melting away with every wave she caught. The water sparkled under the bright sun, and the sound of crashing waves was a perfect backdrop to the joy and camaraderie of the day.

Later, as the sun dipped lower in the sky, the group gathered on the sand. Layla passed around a bag of snacks, and Kiara poured drinks from a cooler. Everyone was sun-kissed and salty, their hair tangled from the wind and water.

Sasha leaned back on her elbows, her face tilted toward the sun as she listened to the easy chatter of her friends. Rafe was beside her, his own elbows propped up as he gazed out at the horizon.

"That was fun today," Sasha said, glancing at him. "Thanks for teaching me."

"Anytime," Rafe replied, turning his head to look at her. "You did pretty good for a beginner."

"I'll take that as a compliment," she said, smiling.

They fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that didn't need to be filled. Sasha was acutely aware of how close he was, his arm brushing hers, the warmth of his presence cutting through the cool breeze. When she turned her head to look at him again, she found that he was already watching her.

Without a word, Rafe leaned closer, his movements slow and deliberate. Sasha's breath hitched as their faces drew nearer, her heart pounding in her chest. His lips brushed hers, soft and tentative at first, before deepening into something more sure and certain. It was a kiss that spoke of everything unspoken between them, a connection that had been building for weeks finally finding its release.

When they pulled apart, Sasha's cheeks were flushed, her heart still racing. Rafe's gaze remained locked on hers, his expression soft but searching.

"Hey," he said quietly, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "Go on a date with me."

Sasha blinked, caught off guard. "A date?" she repeated.

"Yeah," Rafe said, his lips quirking into a small smile. "An actual date. You know, the kind where I take you somewhere nice and we don't have to pretend it's just coincidence we're spending time together."

Sasha couldn't help but smile, a soft laugh escaping her. "Okay," she said. "I'll go on a date with you."

"Good," Rafe said, leaning back on his elbows again, though his gaze never left hers. "Tomorrow night. Be ready at eight."

"Eight? That's all you're giving me?" she teased. "No hints, no details?"

"None," he replied, his grin widening. "Just trust me."

Sasha rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her chest betrayed her excitement. "Fine. I'll trust you."

As the sun began to set, casting the beach in shades of gold and orange, Sasha couldn't help but feel like the day had been perfect. And with Rafe's words lingering in her mind, she couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring.