Chapter 4

I stared at that message for a whole minute. [So, should I wait a couple of days before I start chasing you?]

Were young guys always this straightforward?

When Richard was after me, he played the long game for three months.

He'd send flowers but never actually say he liked me.

He claimed he was passing by when he offered the meal.

Even the first time he tried to hold my hand, he got all serious and asked, "Is this okay?"

Older guys really loved to take the scenic route.

I typed back. [Why wait a couple of days?]

Henry shot back instantly. [Worried you might not be over it yet.

[Is a couple of days enough?

[If not, I'll give you two weeks.]

I couldn't help but crack up.

Samantha poked her head in from outside. "What's so funny?"

I flipped my phone face down. "Nothing."

She looked skeptical.

I wasn't about to explain.

My phone buzzed again.

Henry sent another message. [So, seven tomorrow morning?]

I checked the time. It was already eleven thirty.

Seven a.m. meant I'd have to get up before six.

I mulled it over for ages. [Can we do eight?]

Henry: [Low tide's gone by then.]

[Nine?]

[Too sunny.]

[Ten?]

[Are you here to learn surfing or grab lunch?]

I stared at my phone, totally speechless.

It turned out that young guys weren't perfect either.

Henry's attitude was way spicier than Richard's ever was.

Richard never made me get up early.

If I slept till noon, he'd have the housekeeper switch breakfast to lunch.

When I thought about that, my smile faded a bit.

I was about to call it quits.

Then Henry sent another message. [Seven thirty.

[Final compromise.]

I replied right away: [Deal.]

One had to know when to stop while ahead, especially with handsome men.

*****

At seven twenty-five the next morning, I shuffled onto the beach in my slippers.

Henry was already there, waiting for me.

He had on a black rash guard and was holding two surfboards.

When he saw me, he raised an eyebrow. "Thought you were going to bail."

"Why?" I asked.

"Samantha said you never wake up before ten," he replied.

I spun around, looking for Samantha.

Her guesthouse door was locked up tight.

Even my own friends would sell me out.

Henry handed me a rash guard. "Go change."

I took it. "You're the one teaching me?"

"Who else?"

"Any female instructors?"

He shot me a look. "Worried I'll get handsy?"

I went quiet.

Honestly, I was more worried I'd be the one getting handsy.

After all, I spent half of yesterday checking him out.

Now he was right here.

Seriously, this was testing my morals.

I tried to act all proper. "Men and women shouldn't get too touchy."

Henry laughed. "Hey, Mia."

"What?"

"Pretty sure you were the one who came up to me yesterday."

I turned and walked away.

Young guys really knew how to roast one.

After changing, I came back out.

Henry started teaching me the basics right there on the sand. "Lie down. Push up. Stand steady."

I tried for ten minutes and got tired.

I flopped onto the board and refused to move.

Henry crouched down next to me. "Get up."

"My legs hurt," I whined.

"Where exactly?"

"Everywhere."

"You didn't stand up. How can your legs hurt?"

I closed my eyes. "The pain in my heart must've traveled down."

He paused for a few seconds. "Alright, five-minute break."

I sat up right away. "Can I get half an hour?"

"Sure," he said.

My eyes lit up.

Henry started packing up the boards. "That's it for today."

I stared at him. "Who said we're done?"

"Didn't you want a half-hour break?"

"Break's a break, but the lesson shouldn't be over."

"Then get up."

I gritted my teeth and stood up.

There was a huge difference between a twenty-five-year-old guy and a forty-year-old.

Richard always used to say, "Forget it. If you're tired, stop."

Henry's motto was, "If you can still move, keep going."

Two hours later, I didn't want to date anymore.

I wanted to commit murder.

I fell off the board into the ocean for the seventh time and swallowed a mouthful of water.

As soon as I popped up, Henry reached out and hauled me up. "You okay?"

I was hanging off his arm, totally wiped out. "Not really."

"Where does it hurt?"

"My dignity."

He was laughing so hard that his shoulders were shaking.

I got more annoyed. "Is it really that funny?"

"Pretty much," he said.

"I want to drop out."

"You never paid me."

"Then I'm filing a complaint."

"I'm the boss."

I stared at him, totally speechless.

No wonder Samantha said she couldn't fire him.

This place was a total rip-off.

I was about to start cursing when my foot caught on something, and I stumbled.

Henry instinctively caught me by the waist.

Suddenly, we were way too close.

The water was up to our waists.

He looked down at me.

I looked up at him.

Young guys really did have amazing skin.

And his lashes were so long.

Up close, he was hotter.

Honestly, those two hours of falling were totally worth it.

Henry let go first. "Stay steady."

"Okay," I replied.

I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

He seemed to notice.

A little smirk tugged at his lips. "Hey, Mia."

"What?" I asked.

"Quit staring," he teased.

I immediately looked away. "Who's staring at you?"

"Yeah, it's the sunlight reflecting off the water."

It was the second time today I had wanted to strangle him.