Romance at the Beach

Ropes of people twisted around the arrivals gate, each person a strand in a human rope. Dolores squinted, standing on tiptoe to scan over the sea of heads.

“Very mature,” she remarked, turning to see Max grinning at her.

“My first draft was about herpes—yours and mine,” she retorted, crumpling the sign and pocketing it before hugging him tightly.

“Such a charmer.”

“And you wouldn’t have me any other way.”

They navigated through the crowd, Dolores stealing occasional glances at Max. He looked different, more mature, the last remnants of boyishness now replaced by adulthood.

“It’s great to see you. Glad Lilly let you off her leash,” she teased just as a taxi pulled up.

---

“This view is terrible. How am I going to survive three days, especially with your company?” Dolores sucked the last drop of her Pina Colada through the paper straw.

“I hate these paper straws. I get it, they’re eco-friendly, but they suck—literally.” She tossed the soggy straw aside.

“You’re so hostile. And littering isn’t eco-friendly.”

“Whatever. So, spill. What happened?”

“Why are so many pools shaped like kidneys?” Max asked, cutting straight to the point. She’d been dreading this question.

“Don’t avoid it, Dolores. We talk every week, and you didn’t tell me your engagement was off. What happened?”

“I think,” she paused, “he realized my heart belonged to someone else.”

“Really? Who?”

“Buddy.”

“Your dog?”

“Men just can’t compete with dogs. It’s nature’s cruel joke.”

“Three months before the wedding, Dolores. I was going to be your Bridesman. You owe me an explanation.”

“I dodged a bullet,” she shrugged, jumping up. “And admit it—you’re glad I could change my flights so you could be here. This place is amazing!”

She danced a little jig, then challenged Max. “Let’s see whose cannonballs are bigger.”

She jumped into the pool, and Max’s gaze followed her, lingering a bit too long when her swimsuit shifted. She quickly adjusted it, and he looked away, his face flushed.

“Sorry about that. Are you getting in?”

---

“Wow, that’s a nasty cut,” the receptionist winced, eyeing Max’s bleeding shin. “I’m Daryl. Do you need a medical officer?”

“I’m a Nurse Practitioner,” Dolores replied, taking charge. “No stitches needed, just some cleaning and a bandage. Oh, and Daryl, there’s glass by the pool.”

“Guess those Slam Dunk Jaeger Bombs weren’t such a great idea,” Max groaned.

“Or maybe they’re just not for uncoordinated people,” Dolores teased, acutely aware of Max’s eyes on her as she attended to his wound. She noticed for the first time the amber flecks in his eyes, and their eyes locked, an unspoken tension filling the air.

---

As they sat at the open-air bar, an amber glow split the horizon. Dolores hiccupped and laughed.

“Day drinking will do that,” Max toasted.

“Thanks for fixing my leg. I’ve always found the nurse thing kinda hot.”

“Um, what?”

“In a medical, not a naughty nurse way!”

Dolores looked at him, brows furrowed, chewing her straw. “If you’re about to tell me Lilly has a costume, please don’t.”

A DJ appeared, and Dolores jumped up. “You love this song!” She dragged Max onto the dance floor, where they broke into a laughing fit after Max’s thong caught and tripped him up.

---

“I broke up with Lilly,” Max blurted out on the beach later that night.

Dolores dropped into the sand, pulling her knees to her chest. “What’s gotten into you today? We’re here to have fun!”

“Dolores, I broke up with Lilly because I realized I never got to tell you how I feel about you.”

Their eyes locked, and Dolores felt her heart pound. He leaned in, whispering, “I’ve had feelings for you for a long time, Dolores.”

Their lips met in a kiss that was both urgent and tender, leaving them both breathless.

“What the hell was in those cocktails?” Dolores joked, pulling away.

“Where are you going?” Max asked, his face flushed.

“I need to get to bed before I turn into a pumpkin,” she said, disappearing into the shadows.

---

The next day, they found themselves on a tour boat, the waves causing Max to rush to the toilet. Dolores sighed, regretting her decision to drink so much.

“Are you okay if I turn in early?” Max asked that night.

“Sure,” she said, her voice tinged with regret.

---

They climbed a cliffside the next day, reaching the summit just as the rain started. They sought shelter under a canopy of foliage.

“I’m sorry,” Max said.

“For what?”

“For last night, for dumping my feelings on you when you’re still getting over Dom.”

The rain poured, and Dolores fought back tears. “Dom and I broke up because he overheard my sister asking if I still had feelings for you.”

“I’ve had feelings for you for a long time,” Max whispered.

Their lips met again, a kiss filled with promise and hope.

“Can we give it a try?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.

They stood there, two old friends turned lovers, watching the rain as it washed away the past and cleared the way for a future they could finally explore together.