Page 85 of My Heart Still Beats
Betsy kicks off her flip-flops and takes the arm that Manfred offers her. And boy, is Manfred good-looking.
I have to smile to myself.
I’m actually looking at men as a pleasure for my eyes rather than something that can harm me.
Again I think about Ben and the fact that he wanted to kiss me.
As much as I wanted that kiss in that moment, I agree. It probably wasn’t the right time.
Ben and I hardly know each other.
Which doesn’t explain why my heart is beating like a snare drum when he walks toward me.
He looks luscious. His hair is damp, so he clearly just got out of the shower. He’s wearing a flashy Hawaiian print shirt in green, gold, and blue, plus board shorts that match the blue on the shirt. His skin is lighter than mine, but he’s got a good tan going and he looks fabulous.
He helps himself to Betsy’s vacant chair, but he doesn’t lounge. He sets his feet on the ground, facing me.
“You are just the person I was looking for,” he says.
I cock my head and hold back a smile. “I am?”
“Absolutely. I have something you’re going to love.”
“I was having breakfast with Betsy.” I glance down to the beach where she and Manfred are walking hand in hand. “She’ll be back any minute. She went on a short walk with one of the servers.”
“Yes, I see them over there. She looks a little smitten with him.”
“Smitten?” I can’t help a chuckle.
“Taken?” He laughs. “Horny?”
I shake my head. “He only has fifteen minutes for his break, so Betsy will be back soon.”
“All right. We’ll wait until Betsy gets back, and then you’ll come with me.”
“What did you have in mind?” I ask.
I’m almost hoping he’ll say he wants to kiss me.
But he says something entirely unexpected.
“A cold plunge.”
I pause, blink a few times. “What? You mean like in the ocean?”
He laughs. “No. The ocean water is certainly colder than the air, but I’m talking about a real cold plunge. In ice water. Water that’s been chilled to fifty-five degrees.”
I shrug. “Fifty-five isn’t bad. It’s like an early fall day in Boston. I can go out in jeans and a hoodie.”
“But you’re forgetting that water is colder than air.”
“How does that make any kind of sense?”
“I could explain it to you, if I actually knew.” He laughs again.
“Well, thanks for the offer, but no way am I getting into a tub full of fifty-five-degree water.”
“Even after the hike up the Falls yesterday? Remember how invigorating it was?”
