I quickly scanned the nearest boats’ windows. They were somewhat black. But another one had a reflection of the sun and was a shimmering golden tone.
I sat next to her. “Kim, you see how the sun is starting to peek through the clouds?”
She nodded.
“And the boats’ windows’ tones are slowly changing with every turn of the cloud?”
“Yeah, I guess I see that. If I wait long enough. But which one do I choose?”
“Whichever you like best,” I said with a smile.
I spotted someone on the boat that Kim had been sketching. It was a familiar figure, so my eyes shifted to his face.
Chris.
I instantly started looking around as if I could have hidden somewhere. After I’d ran out on him the day before, I didn’t want to be within visible distance.
“Amy,” he called.
I turned back and saw Chris waving from the top of the boat. He hopped off, securing the anchor on the wooden plank. He walked over to me.
I gave a small wave. “Hi, Chris.” I glanced back at his boat curious, to see if anyone had been on it with him—or if Mr. Assertive had his name on it. “I have to get back to my campers.”
He glanced without a care at the kids. “Oh no, of course. Listen, this won’t take long,” he paused. “I just wanted to apologize for yesterday.”
Apparently, Rick had been within hearing distance because in my peripheral vision, I noticed him turn instantly in our direction.
I had to politely end this conversation—fast. Not to mention that apologies from guys I barely knew made me uncomfortable.
I waved a carefree hand at him. “What? That’s crazy. You don’t have anything to apologize for. We’re good.”
Chris gave me a dazzling smile that would make any girl on that beach melt. But it was Rick’s reaction that got my attention. He turned his head away, laughing to himself.
I couldn’t understand what he found funny.
“Are you sure, because you kind of ran out yesterday at the café.”
“Coffee does that to me,” I joked. “I actually had to run errands.”
“With Rachel?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. Rachel. Right. Look, Chris, I’m sorry, but I have to get my group back.”
Chris shook his head. And for a second he looked a bit frustrated. He lightly grabbed my arm to get my attention. It got Rick’s too. “Amy. I’m sorry I was a bit of a pushy jerk yesterday. I’m really a decent guy if you give me a chance.”
“I’m sure you are.” I gave a small smile to ease his tension and started to pull away.
Rick looked as though he was one wrong move away from interfering, but he tried to keep his attention on the kids.
“Thursday night. There’s an outdoor concert at Boom Square over by the beach. The Cooper Street entrance. Will you meet me there at eight?”
“Okay,” I replied quickly, mostly just to get him to leave. “Eight. Thursday.” I started backing away toward my class. “See you then.”
He gave another smile, glanced over at Rick, then jogged away.
I was deathly afraid of turning around to find Rick giving me some kind of cold stare for dealing with Chris while in the middle of a session. But instead I found him kneeling and admiring some of the kids’ artwork as they started packing up. Rick caught my eye and gave me a wink, as if to let me know that it was okay.
After dropping off our groups at swimming, Rick and I walked over to Sarah’s office.
