In Your Arms

Chap. 16: Beach Date

(picture of Chris Eaton at beach above)
*Katie's POV*

   
           As was promised, Chris met me at the Kona Ice truck at 10:30 on the southern part of Sandy Beach. He brought his dog, Copper, with him. Chris wore blue jeans and a white t-shirt with thick sunglasses. He looks so out of place considering everybody else is in bikinis or in swim trunks. A few nude. But Chris is still so cute. I wore my black one piece.
             Chris and I got snow cones. I felt childish but I couldn't help but get the big plastic cup that changes colors with ice. Halee, Tara, and I have millions of those cups from Kona Ice. I got wedding cake flavor in a neon pink cup that turns purple, Chris got a cherry flavor in the blue cup that turns green. We found a spot on the beach where Chris wanted to sit under an umbrella.
             "Are you sure you don't want to come swim with me?" My hand sways with Chris's.
             "No, I'd rather watch you enjoy yourself." He smiles, pushing his sunglasses up his nose. "I burn easy."
            I chuckle. "You can wear sunblock, but suit yourself."
          Why does Chris not want to swim? As I walk away, I can feel his eyes on my butt. My cheeks turn bright pink at the thought of him staring at my half nude body. Oh God. I'm half nude. This is the closest thing to naked he has ever seen me. Suddenly, I wish I could cover up but this damn sun! Copper and I play in the water, him running circles around me as I dig my feet in the warm, wet sand. I look back at Chris, who smiles his sexy smirk like smile at me.

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         So I stole Chris's sunglasses when the sun became too much and he nearly fell asleep under his umbrella. He half chased me down the beach with Copper running circles around us while barking happily. He tackled me and we fell onto the hot sand. I giggled at his annoyance towards me at that moment, giving him a kiss on the cheek to make him blush. Which my master plan worked perfectly, Chris blushed and gave me a sweet kiss while halfway on top of me on the hot burning sand. I had to go swim to get the sand out of my butt crack, but it was worth every grain of sand.
                We ate lunch at this cute little place by the dock—which Chris did not enjoy at all but still went along for the ride. He had chicken tenders, and I quote 'the safest thing on the menu'. I had shrimp tacos and shared seasoned cheese fries with Chris. I couldn't help but notice that a few heads turned to look at us. Eyes judging us on our so-far-so-good fifth date. I tried to ignore them but their stares and whispers really bothered me. Chris got worried that I was getting sick or something but I just told him that I'm just a little tired. I was so glad to get out of there.
           As we made our way back to the Kona Ice truck for one more round of snow cones, Chris and I held hands. The sun was getting low so we sat together at the end of the dock and stared at the sunset. He gave me his hoodie and held me close. It felt really nice, to be completely honest. I hope he isn't playing me. I hope he really does want me like he said he did. Is the fairytale too good to be true?

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Chris walked me to my apartment door, swaying our held hands. I bite my lip, pulling a strand of hair behind my ear.
"I had a very nice time." I say to him, smiling happily. "I think Copper tuckered himself out."
             "Yeah, he rarely gets to go out beyond the backyard." Chris stops in front of me, cautiously putting his hands on my hips. "Maybe you can come by sometime after work."
"Yeah." I frown, "That would be nice—if Hannah would give me the time."
Chris nods. "Oh, yeah. The dragon lady who has a crush on me."
"It's pretty obvious, huh?" I say disgusted, "She's making my life a living hell."
"Then quit." I give him a look, "—and come work for me."
I stare at Chris in shock. Wow. That sounds nice, working to help the homeless and stop Child Hunger. But I'm not smart enough.
"As nice of an offer as that is, I'm not that smart Chris." I say to him, "I barely made it through my four years of college and I just majored in English Writing."
Chris shrugs. "You don't need any specific degree to help people. I'll help you, please. You already love children and you have a big heart. If you worked for me, you would mainly do volunteer work. Whatever YOU wanted to do. But you would have a choice."
I bite my lip, changing the subject. "So have you picked out a pet name for me yet?"
Chris stares at me in disbelief. He sighs and shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. He leans against the frame of my apartment door.
"No, I haven't." He says tiredly, with a hint of annoyance. "But please think about it, Katie. I know it's none of my business, but your Dragon Lady of a boss is controlling you and it's altering you having a life outside work. Just because she's jealous, she's got you working twice as long and you can only get weekends off."
I look down at my feet. I know Chris is right and it's a bitter pill to swallow down. Hannah is punishing me just for somebody attractive liking me. All for looks and money. Chris is right, but what if it didn't work out between him and I? It would be hard considering my the first guy I went out with would be my boss.
I clear my throat, glancing up at Chris. "I'll think about it."
Chris sighs heavily, nodding his head. He starts to move away, breaking my heart, but he leans over and gives me a kiss on the temple.
"Goodnight, Katie." Chris says softly, his hand gently running down my arm.
I force a smile. "Goodnight, Chris."