***
A week later, Piper lounged next to Nick as they sat in their beach chairs on the beach. She relished the familiar scent of the salty air and her Coppertone suntan lotion. The ocean always captivated her and she watched its waters roll onto the beach. February days were often windy, yet that day wasn’t. The ocean melted as glass into the deep blue sky.
Beachgoers who walked along the shoreline passed by and sometimes caught her attention. She liked to people-watch on the beach and to make random observations. Some were tall and some were stocky and some were lanky with sun-battered skin. She watched an old woman as she strolled by in her bird-shaped body. The beach attracted quite a few bird-shaped people with their chunky torsos and skinny legs. Or maybe bird-shaped people were everywhere, but you couldn’t tell that they were bird-shaped when fully clothed.
A husky man wearing a baseball cap threw a tennis ball to a spunky little dog. Piper watched the dog as it gleefully retrieved the ball and returned it to its owner. It appeared to be in the terrier family and looked somewhat similar to Chipper, yet with black fur. The man threw the ball again, this time out into the ocean. The dog ran up to the edge of the water and wagged its tail and barked. Instead of going into the water to fetch the ball, the dog waited by the edge of the shoreline for the ball to wash up, apparently fearful of the water. The man, who was wearing a pair of swim trunks and an old, beat-up plaid shirt, darted into the water and retrieved the ball himself. Then he threw it onto the beach, offering the little dog another opportunity to scoop it up. The dog complied and retrieved the ball for its owner. Piper watched the man as he hugged his dog. She could tell they were good companions for one another.
An old couple followed, holding hands and appearing to still be happy after many years together. One day, that would be her and Nick, old and still in love. Her thoughts soon turned to marriage with Nick. And Bob’s engagement. Feeling a sudden surge of emotion, she turned to Nick and grabbed his hand.
“We’ve been together more than three years. When are we going to take our relationship to the next level?”
He turned towards her and raised his eyebrows. His eyes were hidden behind his black-rimmed sunglasses, as were hers, which was a good thing. She didn’t want him to see her tears.
“I mean, do you think we’re meant to be? It didn’t take Bob any time at all to figure out that he and Betty were meant to be.”
Nick smiled and squeezed her hand. A rush of love overcame her, stirring her heart and shaking her soul.
“Honey, I love you. Just because Bob got engaged first doesn’t mean that I’m questioning our relationship. Are you?”
“Well, we’ve been dating a long time. Don’t you want to have kids?”
“Of course I do. Lots of kids.”
“What are you waiting for? We should move our relationship forward. I love you too Nick. You mean the world to me. I’m just a little worried that your promise was too much for you.”
“My promise?”
“You said that if we married, you would give up the sauce. Maybe that’s too hard. Maybe that’s why I keep waiting for a proposal, but the proposal isn’t coming.”
“That’s not it, Piper.” He paused and looked her in the eyes.
“Oh, Piper. You’re crying.” He took his sunglasses off, uncovering his own tears. He wasn’t afraid to shed a tear, and Piper considered that very attractive as it reflected his emotion, humility, and masculinity in a uniquely wonderful way. She shifted her eyes to his well-chiseled upper torso and noticed small beads of sweat reflecting the sunlight.
He pulled her close and kissed her. Then he whispered, “You’re a beauty. I love the way your hot body looks in that yellow bikini. Don’t think I haven’t noticed all of the men ogling you as they walk by. Did you see that one guy trip? He was so busy gawking at you.” Nick laughed.
“Oh c’mon. I’m sure it wasn’t me.” She grinned and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“Seriously. You should wear bikinis more often, Piper. It’s a shame I have to take you to the beach to see you in a bikini. How about wearing it tonight at the house?” Nick winked at her as he put his sunglasses back on.
“Only if you keep your shirt off. You’re my eye candy.”
Nick laughed. “Hey, if that’s all it takes, I’m game.”
He looked out into the ocean. “How about a swim? And a little snuggling?”
“Sounds excellent!” Piper stood up and followed Nick into the water, cheerily anticipating what was next to come.