Her tongue sticking out in concentration, her arms reaching out and digging in the sand, her legs bent in an enticing manner–I won’t be surprised if I lose because it’s impossible to focus.
I scoop up wet sand, pressing it firmly as I shape the base of my castle. My focus wavers when I glance at Anya. She’s crouched over her creation, her brows furrowed in deep concentration. Her hands move quickly, smoothing the walls and perfecting every tiny detail, like the fate of the world depends on this sandcastle. When she looks up, her eyes lock with mine, fierce and challenging. “Don’t just sit there slacking,” she says, her tone sharper than it should be for something so trivial. I grin, but her intensity pulls me in. Maybe I should take this seriously too.
A few moments later, she jumps up. “I am done! I am done!” she exclaims. Her exclamation draws me out of my distracted state, and I lift my head to see her standing, hands on her hips, looking pleased with her work. I raise aneyebrow and straighten up, moving to stand next to her.
My eyes rake over her creation, and I stare at her. “Is that it?” I ask, truly confused. She tilts her head, puzzled by my question, and her eyes land on my work. She gasps. Her mouth opens and then closes, and she eyes me warily.
“You haven’t finished it yet, so I win.” She shrugs.
I chuckle. “The competition never had a time limit, sweetheart.” My smug tone makes her eyes snap up to mine, her mouth curving into a pout, frustration written all over her face. “My castle is still only halfway done and I am already winning.” I can’t help but chuckle at her reaction, finding her pouty expression adorable.
“Don’t worry. You put up a good fight.”
Her eyes narrow at my words, realizing the hidden mockery in them. “First of all, you don’t get to decide who wins.” She pokes my chest. “You will obviously say you won.” She huffs and gazes around on the beach and smiles slyly. “Let’s ask Siya.” She smirks.
A smug smile tugs on my lips, too. “Fine.” I intentionally graze her arm with mine. “Let’s do that, Firecracker,” I whisper. “But I must say, you’re a sore loser, Anya,” I murmur in her ear.
Her body tenses at my touch, the tips of her ears turning pink. “I’ll have you know, I don’t lose. And I’m not about to start now,” she whispers.
“I don’t know about other things—” I stand up straight. “---but you do lose your temper pretty quickly,” I add in a hushed tone. She stares at me, her face redden, as she folds her arms, pushing her breasts together. My eyes linger on her chest a little longer than they should. I clear my throat. I don’t think it’s humanly possible for anyone to be as red as Anya is right now. I am genuinely concerned now.
She looks away, suddenly waving at Siya. My eyes remain fixed on her. “Come here!” she mouths. Siya comes walkingforward. She looks at Anya then sees the sand castles and grins. “Whose castle is better?” Anya asks. There’s an edge in her voice, and I know she’s trying to cheat, but I let her. I think I would let her get away with anything.
I see Siya’s struggling expression. She definitely knows mine is better, but her best friend is against me. She suppresses a grin. “Anya, I am so sorry.” She sighs. “I can’t lie so blatantly.”
Anya gasps and I chuckle. “Oh no, Siya. You just made your life worse.” Siya’s words hang in the air and Anya’s eyes widen further, her mouth agape at the betrayal. She looks between Siya and me, disbelief written all over her face.
I struggle to contain my laughter, finding the situation more entertaining than I should.
“You see, Anya, sometimes the truth can be tough,” I say, trying to sound sympathetic but unable to conceal the teasing lilt in my voice.
As I continue to look at Anya, her expression shifting from shock to annoyance, I can’t help but revel in the moment. She’s struggling to find a comeback, her frustration growing. She huffs, her cheeks flushing, and turns her gaze back to me, fixing me with a glare.
“That’s not fair,” she finally says, her voice laced with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. “You guys are being biased!”
“You can always ask for another opinion,” Siya suggests slowly.
Anya looks at her. “There’s no need for that.” She pouts. “Fine, I lose.” She looks at me through her hair.
I raise an eyebrow, a mixture of surprise and satisfaction on my face. “Are you admitting defeat, Firecracker?” I wasn’t expecting her to accept defeat so easily, and the sight of her scowling is too adorable to handle.
She nods slowly. “You’re the witness, Siya. You can’t go back on your words now, Anya.” I chuckle evilly.
“It’s not my fault. I grew up in Delhi. There weren’t manybeaches around.” She rolls her eyes.
“Excuses won’t work now, Firecracker.” I tease, my voice low and laced with amusement. “You lost fair and square. Admit it.”
I close the gap between us, standing directly in front of her, forcing her to look up at me now. I love the difference in height, towering over her petite frame, a little power game we often play. Her eyes stay fixed on mine, still defiant, but there’s a hint of wariness in them too.
“So, you admit I won?” My voice is low, almost a whisper. Siya coughs and Anya pushes me away. Her breathing quickens she looks away, nodding. I can’t help but marvel at Anya’s pouting expression, her cheeks flushed in frustrated defeat. The real prize here is the sight of her, so adorably flustered.
“I won. Now, I get to claim my prize,” I remind her, a sly grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. “Ready for it?”
“I will just submerge myself in the water. Happy?” She groans.
I laugh. “Where’s the fun in that?” I feign innocence. “How about I do the honors?” She rolls her eyes, but I see a small smile finally tugging on her lips.
“Sowaterwe waiting for!” I exclaim.
