“Relax. He’s got this.”
So it appeared, as he dropped down on what she thought was a huge wave, slid down over the top of it, then underneath that massive, rolling tube of water, much to the enthusiasm of the crowd. It was as if he owned that wave, riding it for what seemed like an eternity.
While Victoria was terrified, she could see Alex’s comfort level, the ease with which he mastered what she thought was a treacherous wave all the way through and out of it. He flipped his board out from under the wave, then back over the top of another, making her hold her breath. When he coasted to calm waters and wild applause and cheers from the crowd and a grin on his face, she knew he’d done well.
“He should score high on that ride,” Ben said, his gaze fixed on the scoreboard.
So was Alex’s as he sat on his board and grinned when he popped a ten for that ride.
“Perfect,” Ben said, nodding and smiling. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”
Victoria had never seen anything like it. It had been death defying and the most amazing ride she had ever seen.
She watched other surfers, trying to gauge what the judges would see, but she was no expert. Unless the wave collapsed over them or they crashed, they all looked amazing. But she had Ben telling her where some of them went wrong, or how they did well, so eventually she could see the subtle differences.
Alex went out for two other waves. One pinned him down and crimped over him.
“He’s okay. He’ll pull up on another,” Ben said.
Alex dropped down on top of another huge wave for a long ride in the tube, scoring a seven point nine.
“Great score for his second ride,” Ben said.
Victoria had no idea, so she’d take Ben’s word for it.
“It seems like many of them wait for just the right wave,” she said to Ben.
He nodded. “The right wave is everything.”
She watched the other surfers. Some did equally as well on their rides, some couldn’t seem to catch a decent wave.
When Alex took another, it seemed as high as the first one he’d ridden, though he wasn’t in the tube for as long a period of time. But he flipped an aerial on top of the wave to polish things off, which, to Victoria, had looked spectacular.
“That’s the way it’s done,” Ben said with a wide grin.
Victoria leaped from her chair and cheered.
“That was . . . fantastic,” she said.
Ben smiled and nodded. “It was a stellar wave and he rode it for all it was worth.”
She wanted to go to Alex and hug him, to tell him how magnificent he’d looked out there. But she knew he was in competition mode, and since she dealt with athletes in her business, she knew he didn’t need the distraction. Right now he needed to focus on the waves.
Alex had moved from the quarterfinals to the semifinals. And Victoria was in awe. It was as if he was one with both his board and the monstrous waves.
She’d never seen anything like it.
By the end of the day Alex was tied at the top of the leaderboard with two other surfers.
Ben gathered up some paperwork. “There’s a party and bonfire on the beach again tonight for the surfers and other attendees, sponsored by the promoters. With food and drink. Alex and I want you there with us.”
She linked her arm with his, feeling warm and cared for again and happy that Ben had told her he wanted her there with them. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Good. Alex is going to spend some time in post-competition meetings. How about you and I go surf for a bit?”
She cocked a brow. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. You know you want to get out in that water.”
She pointed to the high-rolling waves. “I do not want to go out in that water.”
He laughed. “I’ll take you to another beach. One that has smaller waves.”
She had to admit that watching the guys surf made her itch to try it. It had been years since her last attempt. “Okay.”
He took her hand and led her through the hotel and out front. “Wait here and I’ll get the boards.”
He stopped to talk to the valet, then disappeared. By the time Ben returned with two surfboards, the valet had pulled up an SUV. They strapped the boards to the top of the vehicle, climbed in and they were off.
She hadn’t left the hotel area since she’d gotten here, but now she was eager to see more of the island.
She’d almost forgotten it was the holiday season. Sure, the hotel was decorated thematically with trees and garland and seasonal wreaths, but the lack of cold weather—and snow—made it feel a lot more tropical and much less like the holidays. Just the way she wanted it.
But now as they drove past decorated homes and buildings, she started to feel the holiday spirit. Green and red décor abounded.
“Christmas is coming,” she said.
“Yeah. Alex and I will hang out here until after the holidays. What about you?”
“I’ll be here.”
He gave her a quick look. “We should spend Christmas together.”