The Holiday Swap(50)

“I know we’re supposed to spend time on the sand, learning the basics—but with your recent injury, I’d like to be even more gentle. I hope you’re okay with that. Into the water, come on.” Soon, the surf swirled around her ankles, then her knees. “Alright, put your board down and get on,” he said. “Attach your ankle strap, lie down, and keep on breathing.”

Cass did as she was told, inhaling the warm salty air again.

“Now, roll on your back.”

“On my back?”

“You did say I get to be the teacher today, right? On your back, then reach out your hand.”

Again, she did as he suggested and reached out, feeling his hand meet hers in the waves. Their fingers linked and he pulled her close until their boards were touching. The sky was the same deep, clear blue it had been almost every day since she had arrived in L.A., today dotted with cotton ball clouds. A pelican swooped overhead. Their boards clunked together in the gentle waves. “Breathe with the waves,” Miguel said. Her surfboard lifted, up and down, again and again, and she did her best to breathe along with the movements. Miguel’s fingers were warm. He squeezed and she squeezed back.

“This is the easiest surf lesson I’ve ever had,” she said. “But aren’t you even going to try to teach me how to get up on my board?”

He squeezed her fingers again. “That’s for next time,” he said. “I want you to feel it first.”

“Feel what?”

“The reward of it, the peace of it. There is nothing like the feeling of catching your first wave—but you’ll never get there if you try too hard.” She let her body relax onto her board and into the sweet lull from the small waves, as she breathed in sea air and stared up at a sunny sky.

“I love this.”

“Me, too.” Miguel let go of her hand and she found herself dismayed by the loss of connection. But then he touched her arm once more, running his finger along the temporary tattoo. “I’ve noticed this a few times, and always wondered: What does it mean?”

“It’s a Gemini glyph,” Cass said. “It represents twins, and the mountain range back in our hometown. My sister, Cass, has one, too.” She felt a twinge as she said this, wishing again she could be honest about who she was. To introduce Miguel to Charlie as the man she had fallen for. Cass wished Miguel could really be part of her life, instead of just this waking dream of what her life could be like.

“I’d like to meet Cass one day.”

“I’d like that, too,” Cass said. The sound of the surf muted the catch in her voice.

Then he turned his face and kissed her like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Like they were made for each other.



* * *



? ? ?

Miguel finished securing the surfboard to the roof of Charlie’s car, then turned to Cass.

“I don’t really want this day to end,” he said, tilting his head and looking at her thoughtfully.

“Neither do I,” Cass admitted. Her spirits, which had been growing heavy at the idea of saying goodbye to Miguel, began to lift again.

“Unfortunately, I have plans.”

And back down they went. She forced a smile, determined not to appear as needy as she was suddenly feeling. “Okay, well, thanks for—”

“Would it be crazy of me to ask you to come along with me to dinner at my parents’ place? With my entire family? I know meeting someone’s family feels like a big step, and I want you to know there is no pressure to say yes. But they’re all such huge Charlie Goodwin fans. Having you with us at a family dinner would be an honor.”

“Right,” Cass said, willing her smile to stay in place the way she had learned to do during her time in L.A., pretending to be her sister while the cameras rolled—no matter what she was feeling inside. “Well, how can I say no to that?”

His handsome grin was back, and those dimples that made her pulse quicken every time they appeared. It was so effortless, the way he took her face in his hands and kissed her like he had earlier. It was as if they had known each other for much longer than just a few days, as if they somehow had a future together as bright as the California sun.

“This is going to be fun. You can follow me in your car. It’s not too far from here; their place is in Malibu. You’re okay with showering and changing there, in their pool house? My parents won’t mind at all.”

Cass felt dazed. “Sure,” she said. “I brought a change of clothes.”

“Alright, then, let’s go.”



* * *



? ? ?

Cass pulled in front of his parents’ low-slung, sprawling beach house. It was lovely, but unpretentious, with warm light flowing from the many windows. Miguel was already standing outside her car door by the time she opened it and got out, holding her day bag in hand. He seemed eager and excited, like a handsome, charming puppy.

“Wow,” Cass breathed, surveying the grounds. There were gardens everywhere, obviously well cared for by an expert gardener. A path ahead led to a pool with an infinity drop-off facing the ocean. “This place is gorgeous.”

“Yeah, it really is. One of my favorite places in the world.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it.”