Chasing the Tide

Chapter Seven: Making Waves

The contest had been all Annie could talk about for the rest of the day. By the time they got back to Cassidy’s beach house, she had already planned her outfit, her poses, and even her acceptance speech.

“Annie, you haven’t even won yet,” Cassidy said, flopping onto the couch. “Calm down.”

Annie ignored her. “I need a spray tan. Lila, you’re helping me. And Cassidy, you’re on hair duty.”

“Excuse me, but I have the hairstyling skills of a blindfolded toddler,” Cassidy replied.

“Then we’re doomed,” Lila muttered, still dodging Cotton’s persistent calls. She stared at her phone, debating whether to finally answer or throw it into the ocean.

Annie clapped her hands. “Focus! We have a bikini contest to win!”

Just then, a knock at the door made them all freeze.

“If that’s Cotton, I’m jumping out the window,” Lila whispered.

Cassidy peeked through the blinds and groaned. “Nope. It’s Noah.”

Annie grinned. “Ooooh, looks like Lila’s got bigger problems than a fiancé.”

Lila buried her face in a cushion. Maybe she wasn’t the only one about to make waves

Lila groaned, pressing a pillow over her face. "Why is he here?"

Cassidy crossed her arms, smirking. "I don’t know, maybe because you made out with him on the beach?"

Annie bounced to her feet, adjusting her bikini straps. "Or maybe he’s here to profess his undying love and whisk you away to a life of excitement and passion." She sighed dramatically. "Ugh, I live for romance."

Lila shot her a glare. "I do not need whisking."

"Tell that to Cotton," Cassidy muttered under her breath.

Ignoring them both, Lila stood and smoothed down her sundress, taking a deep breath. "Okay. I’ll handle this. Like a mature adult."

Annie snorted. "You mean panic and maybe fall into his arms again?"

Lila rolled her eyes and opened the door. Noah stood there, casual as ever in board shorts and a sleeveless tee, his tan skin glowing in the morning sun. "Hey," he said, his smile easy, but his eyes searching hers.

She crossed her arms. "Noah, what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you. And..." He glanced over her shoulder at Annie and Cassidy, who were both shamelessly eavesdropping. "Talk. Alone?"

Annie gave Lila a pointed look. "Be careful. If you make out with him again, I’m claiming the grand prize for the bikini contest by default."

Cassidy gasped. "Wait, that’s a rule? I should’ve kissed someone last night!"

Lila groaned. "You two are impossible."

Noah chuckled. "Should I be worried?"

"Always," she muttered before stepping outside and closing the door behind her.