Enticing

Keith had known Sarah for more than a year.  She was the friend of a friend and though she never gave an indication of interest, Keith was smitten the moment he saw her.  When “The Group” got together for some event, whether lunch, dinner or a trip to Six Flags, Keith noticed everything about Sarah.  He loved her wavy blonde hair and blue eyes.  Normally, he preferred redheads but Sarah was different.  She had an infectious laugh and smile.  In Keith’s eyes, Sarah was perfect.  Sadly, he believed there was no hope of a future with her.  That is, until yesterday.

The Group got together at Coquina Beach on Ana Maria Island.  It was an afternoon of fun in the sun.  Keith liked the sand on the Ana Maria Island beaches.  It was very fine like powder and squeaked when walking on it.  As soon as they could view the gulf, Vince complained the waves were wimpy.  Nonetheless, The Group made the most of their time.  Some snorkeled or sunbathed.  Ron jogged up and down the beach.  Jessie loved to collect shells and watch the coquinas rebury themselves in the sand when waves rolled them from their safety. 

Keith, Jason and Joy clung to floats in the deep water beyond the sand bar.  Ordinarily, they would be closer to shore jumping into the waves as they rose and crashed to the shore.  On this day, they floated along, relaxing and talking about current events.  They spoke for about 10 minutes when Keith noticed Sarah swimming toward them.  The conversations continued until she neared them and began treading water, inching the rest of the way to Keith’s float and held onto it.  Breathless, she greeted everyone by saying, “What’s up?”

Jason replied, “Nothing much.  Just solving the world’s problems.”

Joy chimed in saying, “Actually, we are trying to get our lives in order first.  That is about done but we have big, solid ideas to fix the world.”

Keith savored Sarah’s proximity to him.  He noticed her hair was somewhat messy when she lowered herself under water and looked skyward as she returned to the surface.  After slicking back her tresses with her hand, she placed it next to Keith’s on the float and touched him in the process.  Electricity shot through Keith’s body.  Every neuron was fine tuned to her touch.  It was joy!  Sheer, rapturous joy he felt.  Keith did not move his hand and Sarah made no effort to move hers.  Did she know of the connection?  Keith believed she had to have felt the jolt of electricity jump from Keith’s hand to hers. 

The conversation between the four of them continued for another 10 minutes when Joy and Jason started for shore.  Sarah asked, “You heading back too?”

“No, I’m good but I can’t be too much longer or I’ll start looking like a cooked lobster.  How’s work been?”  He would risk getting completely fried by the sun if it meant spending just a few more minutes with her.

“Oh fine except this wench who works in the office next to mine.  She is talking on her cell phone all day long and doesn’t do her job.  I end up making up the slack for her.  I hate working with lazy people.  I guess I get that from my dad.  He always said he’d rather work with a thief or liar than a lazy person.”

“Why’s that?”

“The thief, you don’t trust them so you always watch your stuff.  The liar, you don’t believe what they tell you but the lazy person, you have to work double to make up for their lazy ways.”

Keith pondered for a moment, then replied, “That makes sense.”

She started acting playful with him which was new.  She splashed him and he splashed back.  He loved it and hoped it would never end.  After a few more minutes of playful conversation in close proximity Sarah remarked Keith’s shoulders were turning red.  They began kicking for shore.  The current pushed them north of the spot where everyone camped on the beach.  Upon reaching his towel, Keith carefully positioned himself to sit without getting sand on his things.  He turned and retrieved sunscreen from his bag and squirted some into his hand.  He began rubbing it onto his shoulders when Sarah mentioned he wasn’t reaching a part that needed a touch up. 

“Well, why don’t you help instead of just standing there?”  Oh he hoped she would.

She knelt behind him with one knee barely touching his lower back.  Was she interested in him?  She had to be.  Was she sending signals?  If so, why were there none the previous year or so they’d known each other?  Women are so confusing!