“The guy I’m purchasing the property from is an older gentleman. He wants to teach me everything. The funny thing is, I don’t think he knows. From what I can tell, he hires everything out. I think he’s lonely. He also gets up at the ass crack of dawn. I’ve been here since six-thirty and had four cups of the worst coffee of my life. Honestly, from what I can tell, his big excitement of the day is watching the women jog down the beach in the morning. I’m pretty sure that’s why he gets up so damn early.”
I laugh at his story. “That’s funny. You’re sweet to do that. Spend time with him like that.” But then I think about what he just said about the guy. How my mom often jogs on the beach in the morning all by herself. Could an old guy like that be the one creeping on her? I make a mental note to tell James about him.
Vincent rolls his eyes. “It’s not really sweet. I just don’t want him to back out of our deal. So we didn’t get to talk much the other day. How was being in Europe all summer?”
“I think we should talk about the rest of your afternoon. You stayed at the bar for a long time. Anything happen after I left?”
He gives me a sly grin. “That’s none of your business.”
“That means yes.”
“You were going to tell me about your summer?”
“Oh, yeah, it was great! Brooklyn and I surfed what are supposed to be some of Europe’s best waves. Then we hung out with Twisted Dreams on their tour. Remember, you were at the Undertow the night of their farewell concert? The lead singer, Damian, is one of my best friends. I’ve known him since I was little. Really, it was the best summer of my life.”
I realize Vincent isn’t really paying much attention to what I’m saying. He seems to be lost in thought.
“Earth to Vincent,” I say.
He blinks his eyes quickly. “Sorry, we’re here on the beach. My mind is going. I’m picturing scenes. Stand up for me, would you? In front of the ocean.”
I stand up between him and the ocean.
“Smile,” he says.
I give him my biggest grin.
“Let’s see how you look on film.” He holds his phone in the air. “Do you mind?”
“I don't mind. What do you want me to do?”
“You’ve seen A Day at the Lake?”
“A few years ago, yeah.”
“You know the poster where she's blowing a kiss?”
“Yeah. Lame.”
“Lame? That poster sold millions of copies.”
“I know. I just thought it was more about her boobs. She basically stood like this and blew a kiss.”
I mimic Mom’s poster.
“So what can you do, besides cartwheels?”
“I told you before, I’ve taken dance classes since I was three. I’m varsity soccer. I’m decent at kickboxing. I lower my head and confess. “I broke a girl’s nose at a party. I’m not proud of it or anything, but I did.”
“Show me.” He slides his phone into his pocket and holds up his hands the way Tommy’s trainer does.
I punch them gently.
“Come on, you’ve got to have more than that.”
“Maybe I don’t want to hurt you,” I tease. He grabs my wrist. His grip is quite strong. “Wow, you’re stronger than you look.”
He looks hurt. “I don’t look strong? Wow, way to punch a guy’s ego.”
“Well it’s hard to tell with that loose T-shirt on. You know, guys your age can take their shirts off and be all flabby, or they can be all ab-a-licious . . . ”
Vincent pulls his shirt up over his head.
OMFG!!
My mouth falls open as I stare at his perfectly sculpted chest, his strong pecs, his thick ab muscles, and that sexy little line of dark hair trailing down into his swimsuit.
“What?” he says with a laugh.
I manage to close my mouth. “I’m guessing you work out a bit?”
He tilts his head and grins. “You could say that. So, back to our video. Do some cartwheels or dance for me. No, I know. Blow me a kiss. Do it your way.”
I think about it.
I turn my back on him and prance into the ocean. I reach down, grab a handful of water, and then swivel my upper body back toward him, naughtily tossing the water out of my hand as I blow him the sweetest kiss.
“That’s perfect,” he says. “Sweet, but naughty. Exactly how we want your character to be. So I take it you’d rather have people looking at your ass on a poster than your boobs?”
“Uh, I never thought of that. I was just playing around.”
He replays the video, studying it intently.
Eventually he says, “The camera loves you. Meet me at my studio tomorrow.”
“I can’t. Today I have birthday stuff, tomorrow too, then Saturday is my big birthday party.”
“Did my invite get lost in the mail?”
“Oh, no. I didn’t—um—do you want to come? I could get your name on the list.”
“Of course I want to come.”
I see Brooklyn wandering down the beach toward us.
“What’s up?” Brooklyn says to Vincent.
“Just telling Keatyn that getting the house has been tougher than I thought it would be. So, I was looking at surfboards the other day and felt a little overwhelmed. Do you have any suggestions?”
Brooklyn says, “Go to Davey’s, tell him I sent you, and tell him to fit you for a board. It’ll be perfect for you. The guy’s a genius.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks. So good to see you both, but I have to get going.”