That Day - Karen Deen (large ebook reader .TXT) 📗

into the wave. Here comes the water, up the nose and throwing me around like the inside of a washing machine. I kick my legs like crazy, even with one being pulled by the leash, the surfboard trying to head to shore with the wave.

As I surface above the water, taking that first big breath of air and getting my board back under control, I can still hear Coco barking at me. That dog is a walking disaster zone. Wherever she goes she creates havoc.

Pushing my hair out of my face, this time I can see Asha standing next to her, trying to tell her to stop barking. She looks so cute when she gets worked up. Even though I’m still trying to catch my breath, I push my board with the swell, trying to work my way towards where she’s standing. I finally feel the sand beneath my toes, walking while keeping my back to the waves to break them as they get smaller the closer I get to shore.

Coco, still going crazy, now starts splashing into the water along the edge. I’ve never seen her get in the water before and isn’t something I think Asha would want to encourage. I can imagine washing this big lump of a dog would be no mean feat.

I flick my dripping hair out my eyes as I get closer, surfboard tucked under my arm, and Asha’s smile lights up her whole face.

“Is that lesson 101 on how not to ride a wave?” She laughs at me since I’m probably still looking a little disheveled. There is no sexy look after you’ve just been dumped by a wave.

“Oh, very funny. I’ll have you know I’m blaming Coco for that one. She distracted me at the vital moment.” I reach out and pat the dog’s head, even though I’m supposed to be mad at her.

“Now, a good sportsman never blames his team or the environment around him. You surf every day with her around. How can my poor innocent dog be the cause of your clumsiness?” Her giggle this early in the morning is a great way to start the day.

“Be very careful being so cocky, little miss expert surfer. Otherwise, I will give you a big soggy cuddle and shake my wet hair all over you. Or better still, pick you up and throw you in the water.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Asha squeals, quickly backing away from me up the sand.

“Is that a challenge I hear?” I say, slowly stalking after her.

“Nope, no, no way. I can’t swim. You wouldn’t do that to me.” Her hands are out in front of her as she hastily retreats in a sheer panic.

“Wait, what? Did you just say you can’t swim, yet you live on the beach?” I stop where I am, so she won’t keep trying to run from me.

“I didn’t grow up around water, so I never really learned how to. I’ve never been in the ocean before.” I follow her line of sight, looking over my shoulder out to the water with a small glimmer of fear.

“Let me get this right, you’ve lived here for what, a year…?”

Asha nods her head.

“And you’ve never been for a swim in the ocean. Not even paddled in the water here?”

“Not everyone loves it like you do, Kurt.” Her arms are now crossed over her chest and she looks like she’s about to give a lecture.

“No, maybe not, but I don’t think you know what you’re missing out on. Can you let me take you for a swim one day soon? I would hang onto you the whole time so you were safe, but just so you can experience the pleasure. Really, Asha, I promise you will love it.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. What if a big wave comes and pushes us under like just happened to you? I’ll drown either one or both of us.”

“Now that is where you are wrong. See, if you hold your breath, you’re like a cork and just pop up on the surface. Besides, what makes you think I would let you get taken under, anyway? I’m a strong swimmer, and I can assure you I will never let anything happen to you, either in or out of the water. Hmm, I think I will have to put that in our friendship handbook. Good friends should swim regularly together. What do you say?”

Finally, she starts to relax a little. “Ah, yes, the handbook. How is that going, are we ready for the first edit yet?” She walks a few steps back towards me, with Coco sitting on the sand in between us.

“You can’t rush a masterpiece, you should know that. It’s a work in progress, obviously. There are new things all the time that need to be added.”

“Yes, this is true, however every book has a deadline. So, you need to get a move on then. I heard the due date for editing is this Friday. That gives you five more days. Do you think you can make it?”

“Pfft, easily done. Let’s make it by Wednesday.” That gives me an excuse to see her.

“Well, we will see if you can produce the goods by Wednesday then. Don’t complain if you find that you’re running out of time because you can’t perform under pressure.”

“I can always perform under pressure, that’s a guarantee, Asha.” In more ways than one.

Rolling her eyes at me, she attaches Coco’s leash to her collar. “I’m sure you have to get to work. We won’t hold you up any longer.” She pulls on the lead to get Coco up and moving.

“Unfortunately, I do, but maybe we can grab a bite to eat after work this afternoon? Or maybe I can bring dinner to you. We can discuss the first five chapters of your book.”

Asha stops completely still on the sand. “Oh god, no, you’re reading it.” She drops her head into her hand. “I was hoping you were joking. I don’t know if I can