Episode 25

Kelsey woke up the next morning, thoughts of Tom constantly running through her head.  Caitlin and Aislinn were already up (as they had gone to bed at a reasonable hour) and were making what smelled like blueberry pancakes in their little kitchen.  “Morning!” Aislinn and Caitlin chorused as Kelsey dragged her tired self into the swirl of delicious smells.  They were answered with an extremely attractive grunt from the sleepy redhead.  That was to be expected, however.  This was Kelsey, after all.  She is not a morning person.  Caitlin tried a different tactic.

“Kelsey,” she said in a teasing tone of voice, “guess where Tom is taking all of us today.”  That immediately got Kelsey’s attention.

“Where?” The single word was actually fairly audible.

“The beach!!” Aislinn replied, excited for their upcoming adventure.  “You have about half an hour to get ready.”

“What now??” Kelsey scrambled to her feet from her lazy flop on the couch, adrenaline warring with exhaustion.  The next thirty minutes passed in a hectic blur as Kelsey practically swallowed a pancake whole, shaved her legs, and finished getting ready.  By the time Tom arrived to pick them up, she looked stunning, of course.  And calm even.

“Good morning, beautiful!” He greeted her with a smile that included both her roommates.

“Good morning!” Kelsey replied, batting her eyes.  She immediately felt ridiculous and resolved to never ever do that again.  She just hoped that either Tom hadn’t noticed the awkward gesture or that he thought she was just cute.  She averted her eyes, just in case, and grabbed her beach bag from beside her. “You all ready?”  At their agreement, he held the door open for them (like a true gentleman) and followed them to his car.

The beach was stunning – white sands and turquoise water stretching as far as the eye could see.  Tom, as he was smart enough to always think in advance, had brought a large beach umbrella to protect those with fairer skin (Aislinn and Kelsey) from burning under the hot Florida sun.  They set up a little ways off from the water.  “Anyone for a swim?” Tom asked, looking directly at Kelsey.

“Hmm,” Kelsey said playfully, “I don’t know…”  Tom looked confused at her apparent hesitation.   She elaborated slightly and said, “lift,” and raised her hand upward.  Tom was now absolutely bewildered.  Seeing his confusion and feeling the blood rush to her cheeks at her audacity, Kelsey clarified. “Your shirt.  Lift your…” the words died in her throat.  This was so embarrassing!!!  What had she been thinking??  Caitlin and Aislinn were very studiously examining every grain of sand they could find (which, on a beach, were quite a few).  They wanted no part in the awkwardness pervading the air.

“Alright,” Tom broke the silence, and, in once magnificent move, lifted his bright blue shirt over his head.  His abs were stunning – a real 8-pack, Kelsey thought admiringly, despite her embarrassment.  But even they paled in comparison to the magnificence of his sculpted, manly (aka hairy) chest. “Are you satisfied now, dear?” Tom’s voice broke into Kelsey’s thought and she realized that she had been staring.  For a long time. Again, she blushed before answering,

“Yep.  You look fantastic.”  He laughed, which reassured her that her was not upset.

“Oh Kelsey…it’s so ironic that the most stunning person on the entire beach is telling me that I look fantastic.”  He shook his head ruefully.  “I am but a candle to your bright flame.”  Speechless, Kelsey silently removed her beach cover-up and took Tom’s proffered hand.  They walked like that, her hand securely in his, towards the water, his tall frame towering over her slim figure.