Romani Prince

Chapter 4: The Beach

I sit very quietly during the drive north on Highway One, paying attention not to miss the hidden exit for our favorite secret spot.

Behind me, Mina and Luka are engaged in a hushed but fervent conversation. Why do I have the impression that it's got something to do with me?

I'm taken by surprise when Carl grabs my hand and places it to rest over the gearshift and under his own, as we were used to doing.

I let it be for a brief moment but then, with a sad glance at Carl, I slowly bring it back to my lap.

For some reason that I can't explain, my eyes search the rearview mirror, meeting with a pair of intense brown eyes, staring back at me.

Luka's stern gaze says...  You're mine, now, not his.

Looking out the window, at the passing landscape, I wonder if I'm going out of my mind.

"There!  Look how beautiful, Luka!  And no one around!"  Mina sounds as ecstatic as the first time that we found this place.

Letting out a long breath, my heart immediately calms down with the breathtaking view.

"It must feel very different from Boston."

Smiling at Carl, I silently thank him for trying to redeem himself from last night.

"It sure does,"  Luka replies.  "Boston is mostly limited to a boring palette of different shades of grey."

"Poor thing!"  Mina exclaims.  "Lucky for you that your favorite cousin lives in Cali!"

Luka laughs softly.  "Lucky me, indeed!"

Our eyes meet again...  And that smile.  Ugh!

Placing her chin over my shoulder, Mina continues:  "I told Luka that he may never want to go back to that nasty cold city, ever again!"

"Who knows?"  Luka's eyes focus on mine in the mirror.  "I may have just found a reason to never leave."

My breath hitches as I part my lips.  Look away!  Look away!

I can't.

Carl grunts, managing to break our forbidden eye contact.  He parks the car under the shadow of a tree.

"Miri can only be here late afternoon, but she's bringing more beverages and friends."  Carl says.

"Sounds good!"  Struggling to calm my heart, I open the car door and search my backpack for my sneakers.

Where in the hell are they?  I shove things around.  "Oh, no!"  I groan.

"What's wrong?"  Mina asks.

"I forgot my sneakers!"  My gaze falls on the thick and prickly vegetation covering the side of the rough cliff wall that we have to descend.

With a sigh, I remove my platform sandals, getting ready for a painful climb.  A fun day with friends is totally worth it, right?

"Hey!"  I let out a yelp when Carl scoops me up in his arms by surprise.

Easily, he carries me down the path to the beach.  It isn't a very steep climb but my delicate feet would end up bleeding because of the rocky and prickly terrain.

From over Carl's shoulders, I get a glimpse of Luka's irritated face.  He averts his eyes as if I'm to blame for Carl's attempt at being chivalrous.

I'm just as pissed at Carl's possessive ways, carrying me like I'm some damsel in distress.  He's clearly using this moment to send a direct message to Luka.