Page 50 of Chasing Forever

“Oh. Michigan.”

“Brrr.”

He chuckled. “What about you?”

“San Diego.”

He’d have guessed as much, but he wasn’t up for small talk. He was more interested in what Callie was doing, although several of the younger guys waiting to jump had cast him envious glances.

There was no doubt that Sara was eye-catching, but so was Callie, though in a different way. Her beauty was subtler, and she often tried to hide it, unlike Sara, Kelsey, and Tina, who enjoyed flaunting theirs. If he were younger, those three women would have held more appeal, but as it was, Callie had them all beat.

As the line moved forward, he got an even better view of her, and now she was rubbing on sunscreen thoroughly and in the same order as last time. A few times, she glanced up to the clifftop, and he thought she might have spotted him, but he couldn’t be sure.

If she had, she’d probably noticed Sara, who was standing even closer to him now that it was almost their turn to jump. Some people jumped in pairs, holding hands and screeching with fear and excitement before they splashed into the water below.

Up until then, Sara hadn’t shown any signs of fear, but now she looked up at him warily and said, “Will you jump with me?”

“Um…”

“Please?”

Chase caught eyes with the guy standing behind them, who scowled at him like he couldn’t believe Chase had even hesitated. The stranger wouldn’t have a clue that Chase was worrying about Callie seeing him with Sara. He reminded himself that he was being ridiculous and wasn’t doing anything wrong.

“Sure,” he finally said.

Sara looked relieved and leaned into his side, accidentally (or not) rubbing her boob against his arm.

It had been impossible not to notice them given the way they were showcased in her tiny bikini top. He wondered if she was worried about losing her swimsuit when they jumped, but he didn’t have time to ask.

“You two are up,” said the scowling guy behind them.

“Ready?” Chase asked her.

She nodded, but she didn’t look nearly as brave as she had when they’d first discussed this.

“On the count of three.” He took her left hand and clasped it tightly. “One, two, three!”

Then they were airborne, tucking into a ball and Sara plugging her nose with her free hand, her ponytail flying straight up in the air. It was over quickly, and they hit the water with a loud splash before reemerging to cheers from the clifftop and the beach.

He’d let go of her hand once they’d landed, and now she reached for it again as they trudged up to shore. Chase felt obligated to help her out of the water due to the strong undertow. He tightly clasped her hand while seeking out Callie, hoping she wasn’t looking.

No such luck. She was sitting up on her towel with her arms hugging her knees and looking straight at them. At least, he assumed so. He couldn’t see her eyes behind her sunglasses, but her head was turned in their direction.

Once he and Sara got to shore, he let go of her hand again, and she gave him a confused look.

“I see someone I know. I’m going over to say hello.”

“Oh. Okay,” she said disappointedly.

“I’ll rejoin you in a minute.” He really didn’t want to, though. Now that Callie was there, he’d rather sit and talk with her, but that would be rude to Sara. Here’s more evidence that women are trouble. If you’d have kept to yourself, you wouldn’t be in this awkward position.

He and Sara split off, and he walked toward Callie, who’d turned her head the opposite way as if she hadn’t wanted him to see her.

“Hey.”

“Hello,” she replied icily.

“How are you?” His heart was knocking around in his chest, and he shifted uncomfortably. Is she pissed at me?