Page 147 of Under the Waves
“Are you and Jasper in love?” Pepe translated Juniper’s signing aloud asyucksandoooo’sechoed in the air around us. Poppy’s cheeks went the cutest shade of red as she slid her eyes to mine in panic.
“Of course we are,” I smirked, nudging her from behind playfully. “It’s that ‘can’t-eat, can’t-sleep, reaching-for-the-stars, over-the-fence, World series kind of stuff,’” I quoted fromIt Takes Two, one of Lia’s favorite movies. I’d watched it so much over the years that silly quotes like that now had a permanent residence inside my head.
Giggles serenaded us as Poppy stilled against me.
I backed away slightly, giving her space.
I knew her. I knew that meant she was uncomfortable, and I didn’t want her to feel like that here in our safe space. I wanted her to feel safe here. I wanted her to be able to feel comfortable and loved and at home. I wouldn’t let anything or anyone take that away from her.Not again.
Poppy gave me a small, appreciative smile as she began rounding up the kids, helping them collect their training boards and the equipment Saskia requested for the photos.
I walked back to where I left the equipment I was supposed to be cleaning, and just then, I caught a glimpse of the surf jersey she was wearing.
Not just any surf jersey.
Mysurf jersey.
With the faded white, block letters of my last name.
My number 2.
The one I’d given her that night—
She’d kept it.
She hated me, yet shekept it.
Poppy Wells had kept it.
My heart rose to my throat.
Just as the kids started filtering up the boardwalk stairs, leading up the cliffs to the surf school, I caught Poppy’s wrist, spinning her around to face me.
“You did a great job out there today, Wellsy.”
“Are you sure?” she questioned, biting down on her bottom lip. “I felt like I could’ve done so much more.”
“You did everything I would’ve done, and we all know how amazing I am, so you must have been close to perfection,” I shrugged playfully, to which Poppy elbowed me in the ribs with a smile on her lips.
“You’re such an idiot, Ridge,” she laughed, shaking her head in the most adorable of ways.
“I don’t care as long as I’m yours,” I replied truthfully.
Her eyes softened then, a small fraction of a movement, yet it seized the beating of my heart into silence. All the air in my lungs dissipated at the sight of her. I swore that girl took my breath away every time she even glanced my way.
“Nice words, Ridge.”
She crossed her arms over her chest.
I whistled. “Nice ass, Wellsy.”
Rolling her eyes, Poppy started walking away from me with a huff. “Nice fuckingdick,” she grumbled under her breath.
“I heard that!” I hollered, grinning wide as fuck.
She swirled around almost instantly. “Good.”
Chuckling, I ran back and picked up the equipment before jogging after her. I swear I was trailing after her like a lost, little puppy.