Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“What about the tide?”
Kiel didn’t know jack shit about the tide. “Uh . . . we’ll move when it comes in.” Or was it on its way out? He supposed there was some sort of tracker in the app store or maybe online. He’d look it up after they got settled.
They laid their towels down and then sat. Kiel kept his knees drawn to his chest as he looked over the beach. Had they gone to the busier side, the one where he met Eloise, they’d be squished among the other tourists. Where they were now, they had privacy and weren’t privy to someone’s conversation, loud music, or children running around.
Granted, on the other side, the sand was nicer. It was the kind you buried your feet in or made sandcastles out of. And they had the food vendors, public restrooms, and potentially Eloise.
Leona opened her book and began reading . . . out loud. Kiel laid down, put his hands behind his head and listened to his mom read the self-help book that was meant to help him. For all he knew, something she’d read would help him. Mostly, he just wanted to listen to her voice. Kids are always in a hurry to grow up. Only being an adult sucked sometimes. If his mom wanted to read to him, so be it.
An hour or so later, his dad and sisters joined them. The girls spread their towels out next to the blanket Leona and Kiel sat on and he moved over to his so his dad could sit next to his mom. Leona stopped reading once everyone else arrived. Kiel was sad, but also a bit relieved. He had thoroughly enjoyed the hour of time they spent together, albeit he wished they had spent their time reading something else. The more he thought about it, if his dad had to transfer, Kiel was determined he would stay home and either go to school locally or find a job. He didn’t want his mom and sisters home alone.
Kiel rolled over onto his stomach and turned his head in the opposite direction. He needed to stop thinking about tomorrow and live in the moment with his mom.
“Kiel, answer your damn phone,” Leona said as she broke from the story briefly. He searched his bag, found his phone, and pulled it out. There was a text from Eloise, but nothing else. Kiel glanced at his mom oddly.
How did she know?
(text format) Are you free for dinner?
The question brought a smile to his face.
(text format) I am. Is this you asking me out?
The chat bubble appeared. Went away. And came back.
(text format) I am. I’d like to cook for you. But there’s some place I want to show you first.
(text format) On your moped?
(text format) Unfortunately, it’s all I have.
Kiel looked around as a thought came to mind.
(text format) Where are you painting today?
(text format) Actually, I’m working at the galley.
Can I pick you up from work?
(text format) I’m done at 4!
What’s the address?
(text format) (address)
I’ll be there.
Kiel wasn’t exactly sure how. He could borrow his parent’s rental, but he wasn’t ready to tell anyone about Eloise. His sisters would surely give him shit for meeting a local, and his father would give him the “talk” even though Kiel was long past that stage in his life. He typed in the type of vehicle he wanted after remembering what Eloise had told him the day before. This would be perfect for them and something fun for the island.
He filled out the form—thankful he still had money from his previous summer jobs—and checked the time. He would need to leave the beach by three so he could shower, dress for dinner even though it was at Eloise’s house, get the rental and be there by four to pick her up. The list made him second-guess his timing. He would need to call an Uber to get to where he needed to be, even though asking his dad for a ride would be easier.
Nope, he refused.
With an alarm set and his phone put away, he turned his attention toward his family, hoping to hide his anticipation of seeing Eloise. His mom picked up another book and began reading, and like earlier, all attention was on Leona.
When the alarm sounded, Kiel startled. At some point, he had fallen asleep. He looked around and found he was on the beach by himself. His mom and Skyla stood on the edge of the surf while his dad and Ciara were deeper in the water.
Kiel stood, stretched, and gathered his things. “I’m heading in,” he yelled and waved. He regretted dozing off, even though he felt refreshed. Back at the house Kiel made his way upstairs to the bathroom. He showered, dried off, and dressed for his dinner date in the most non dating attire possible just to avoid questions.