Every Girl Does It(31)

“You know you don’t have to do this,” Preston teases and leans over the edge next to me.

“Shut up!” I squeak. “I’m doing this.”

“Smart girl.” He jumps in before me.

You see, it happened like this. Preston dared me to fit a whole chip into my mouth at the snack bar, which, let’s be honest, was a stupid dare. I did it, then proceeded to dare him to take a swig of Tabasco sauce. We went around the boat daring each other to do things until we reached the top, where he noticed the high dive. He immediately suckered me into it before I had the chance to say no. I mean, I was winning the game. It was Preston who didn’t’ have enough guts to down the whole bottle of Tabasco. I’m the one who proved it and did it myself. I was winning… until the high dive incident. Now here I am, shaking at the top of this giant boat, listening to complete strangers chant my name.

Far below me, I can see Preston treading water and joining in the chant. I immediately start to pray for a thunderstorm. Maybe lightning will strike his smug little face. The visual brings a smile to my lips. Okay, I can do this. I can do this. I close my eyes and jump. I feel my stomach heave as I hit the water, forgetting to pencil my legs and making a big slap. The sting runs all the way down my now throbbing red legs. I swim up gasping for air and see Preston swimming toward me like he’s fighting for a role in Bay Watch.

“Nice,” he says breathlessly, as he notes my shaking body.

“I—”

“Hate me, I know. Save it for later though. We should get you and your bruised body back on the boat. I thought I told you to pencil it?” He laughs and swims ahead so he can pull me onto the back of the boat.

“I think you’re hazardous to her health, buddy,” Brad says while Preston pulls me onto the boat. I feel like a beached whale.

My legs aren’t just red anymore. They’re now swelling to the size of…well, I don’t want to give you that visual. It’s too depressing.

“Hey, at least you did it!” Preston tries to sound encouraging. I give him the look of death reserved for only the worst of mankind.

“So not the point,” I say, teeth chattering. Suddenly, I don’t feel so well.

“Let’s go inside and get you dry.” He helps me to my feet. We move inside to the covered part of the boat and sit. I watch in awe as Preston winks at the snack bar lady who then brings us free snacks.

“Sure you aren’t a wizard?” I ask. Must be the trauma of the fall talking.

“A wizard? As in Harry Potter? I feel like I should be offended.” He hands me my drink.

“You could be, but he is the best magician at Hogwarts,” I say defensively.

“Please don’t tell me you’ve read the entire series of Harry Potter.” He laughs and shoots me a look reserved for small children who’ve been naughty.

“Fine, I have not read the entire series…only parts.” I sip my ginger ale. At least he had enough common sense to bring me something to calm my stomach.

“So, why would I be a wizard anyway?”

“The magical powers you have over people. It’s wizardy,” I say.

“Wizardy is not a word.”

“It’s in my dictionary.”

“Doubtful you’ve ever even seen one,” he counters.

“Whatever.” I cross my arms.

“What are you? Five?” he says, noticing my body language.

“Six, now go away.”

“Is that any way to treat your future husband?” He leans closer, and I fight to quiet my thumping heart as his breath caresses my face. Like a moth to the flame, I lean in before answering.

“I’d never marry you.” I look down at my hands. My voice sounds surprisingly convincing.

“But you’d at least go out with me?” He leans closer to my lips.

“When pigs fly.” I say, glaring at him.

“Good to know.” He gets up from his seat and clasps his hands together. “Now for our plan.”

I’m confused. I look around as if to ask “What exactly is our plan?” But he’s already digging through my bag.

“Ah ha!” He pulls out a black bathing suit with rhinestones. “Go put this on, with the sunglasses and high heels, and meet me out here.”

“We’re not doing this now,” I say flatly and stare at the gorgeous swimsuit.

“Yes we are. Remember? You promised? Plus, Brad and Angelina are staying the whole week. I figure we can change quick, then make an appearance as we’re leaving the boat in about ten minutes.” He checks his watch. “Make that nine minutes. You in?”

I bite my lip. He’s right. It was fun last night. “Fine.” I snatch the swimsuit out of his hand. “But no kissing this time.”

He pulls my body back toward his and whispers into my hair, “I won’t kiss you unless you ask.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that before.” I pull away and walk off to the girls’ bathroom acutely aware of his gaze on my form as I feel my body burning from his momentary touch.



Chapter Thirteen



Our boat arrives within the next nine minutes. I can’t believe I’m actually doing this again. I don’t know what it is about Preston, but I can’t bring myself to say no to him. And the more I get to know him, the more I think he might actually be just a good guy with a bad guy habit. I look in the mirror and smile. Okay, so maybe I won’t marry him, but one date won’t hurt.