Nick stood rooted to the spot, unable to face Sal with the mixture of emotions he was experiencing at that moment. He felt so inadequate compared to her sometimes as she was able to express herself so openly and honestly, and with such ease. He searched for some way to respond to her but he was convinced that whatever he said would come out clumsily so he laced his fingers through hers instead and remained with his back to her, hoping that she would know how much he appreciated her kind words.
"Nick?" Dan repeated, trying to get his attention. "Earth to Nick, you gonna pay for those beers or not?"
Nick came abruptly out of his reverie with a shake of his head.
"Oh yeah, sorry," he said, releasing Sal's hand, paying Dan and collecting the beers from off the bar.
He turned swiftly then to Face Sal as his mood suddenly changed.
"Let's get out of here. I could do with some fresh air to clear my head," he said, not waiting for an answer before grabbing her by the hand and pulling her through the crowds of people.
"But you've just bought those drinks," she reminded him.
"Here, take yours and hide it. We'll take them with us," he said with determination, leading her towards the exit.
They snuck through the door and out onto the street with their drinks, rushing out of sight of Pedros who was sitting outside the bar chatting to a friend.
Sal chuckled to herself as they walked. "Just like at the school disco when we hid beers in our coat pockets. Hmm, actually not quite the same as we snuck beer in then, not out. Still there was beer involved and lots of sneaking," she rambled.
He turned to her with a look of disbelief. "Sal, has anyone ever told you that you talk a load of rubbish sometimes?"
"Pot calling kettle black Mr Giant Red tree man," she huffed at him, striding ahead and stumbling in her stiletto shoes.
He laughed and ran in front of her. "Here, hop on Miss Ditzy Blossom tree woman."
She hesitated for a moment before jumping up on his back and giggling as he ran off down the street.
"Where are we going?" she asked when he turned down a side street.
"We're going to the beach," Nick announced. "Have you ever seen the view from Kitroplatia at night? It's pretty impressive."
"Well, I did go there once with Tom but he wasn't so interested in the view," she replied.
He strained his head to look back at her then. "Who is Tom?"
"Oh, he was one of Adam's friends. He visited Adam last year...just before I started the transfers for him actually," she added.
Nick thought back. "Was he that guy I saw you kissing in Shots bar when I first knew you?"
She laughed. "Yes, I remember that. He kind of grabbed me and before I knew it his tongue was down my throat," she pulled a face. "He wasn't the best kisser in the world to be honest."
"Well, you seemed to be engrossed in him when I caught you," he said, recalling the passionate look on her face when Tom and her had pulled apart after he had bumped into them.
"I guess I thought I'd give him a chance, but he wasn't really my type. Besides he was only after one thing that night... and it wasn't a chance to look at the view!"
"I can imagine. You'd better be careful of men like that," he said.
"You looking out for me?" she smiled, "You sound like a big brother."
Oh great! I think I preferred best friend!
"You got a big brother?" he asked.
"No, but if I could have one, I'd want him to be just like you," she said, kissing him on the top of his head.
Stop! He didn't want to hear any more!
"Come on," he said wryly as they turned the corner and approached the small sandy beach, "and you can quit with the brother comments. Coming from a single girl, it's going to destroy my confidence!"
She laughed. "I can't imagine that!"
Don't be so sure Sal.
When they reached the beach he put her down on a sunbed and sat next to her while they enjoyed their beers. They drank in companionable silence, staring out to sea and watching the light from the moon scattering out over the rippled water. They were both lost in their own thoughts until Sal eventually broke the silence.
"I'd have been out with you every day playing in the fields if we'd have known each other then...when we were little," she explained.
He smiled. "Yeah, but I'd have beaten you hands down for climbing up trees."
"You wish Nicholas!"
"You're in so much trouble now for calling me that!" he said, feeling suddenly playful as he put down the beer bottle on the sand and jumped up.
"Let me guess, you're going to throw me in the sea. Not very original Nick!" she replied, attempting to put him off.
He thought for a moment. "Okay, I'm not going to throw you in," he said, taking the bottle off her and placing it next to his, "because you're going to come in voluntarily."
"I am?" she sounded surprised.
"Yes you are. It's by far the best time to swim and it's no fun swimming alone," he said, stripping off his shirt.
She watched him for a moment. "Yes, but you seen to have forgotten one thing."
"What's that?" he asked.
"I have no bikini," she said standing up and drawing attention to her dress with a gesture of the hands.
"Well, as long as you aren't planning on seducing me Sal, you can go swimming in your underwear," he grinned, waiting to see if he could throw her off balance.
"Me seducing you!" she exclaimed, taking the bait.
He chuckled. "Yes, I know that you've been secretly lusting after me," he teased boldly.
She drew breath on instinct to come back with a defensive retort but then she changed her mind when she saw his smug look.
She'd play him at his own game then. That would wipe the grin off his face.
"Well no, but I'm not sure about taking this dress off," she said, fiddling with one of the straps.
"Don't worry about me Sal, I have nothing but brotherly feelings for you," he assured her.
"No it's not that," she shook her head.
He folded his arms and shrugged his shoulders. "Well what then?"
"I can't go swimming in my underwear."
"Why not?" he asked.
"Because I haven't got any on," she said with wide eyed innocence. "It doesn't bother me Nick, but I don't want you thinking that I'm trying to seduce you."
Nick stood motionless, staring at her and trying to think of how to respond whilst a growing excitement unfurled in his stomach.
Oh boy! No, he couldn't let her swim naked. It wouldn't be fair on her considering how he felt. God, but he may never get a chance like that again!
"I won't think that," he said as casually as he could, sitting down to take off his shoes and pretending not to show any interest in what she was doing.
He was such a typical guy. As if he didn't want to watch her undress! Any normal guy would want to watch any girl take all their clothes off!
"Okay then, if you don't mind," she said, slowly sliding first one strap down, and then the other.
His eyes darted up to her then but they were met with a knowing look.
"Ha! You're seeing nothing Nicholas!" she shouted, running off down the beach.
He growled with frustration and sprinted after her.
"I'll get you for that Sal!" he called, catching her around the waist and running into the sea with her.
She screamed and struggled, causing him to lose his balance in the water and they both fell unceremoniously into the waves.
"You're the biggest tease on the planet you know!" he shouted to her, splashing her in the face.
"You shouldn't try to get your best friend naked then Nicholas," she countered, splashing him back.
"It's just natural curiosity," he said defensively, splashing her again.
"You're not ten anymore Nicholas, you've seen a naked woman before," she replied, scooping up handfuls of water and showering him with it.
He went to answer but then paused for a moment as another thought entered his head.
"Do you really go out at night with no underwear on?" he couldn't help but ask.
"You'll never know," she taunted him.
"Oooh, you horror!" he responded, bombarding her with water.
She turned her head away and closed her eyes, blindly splashing in the water and making as much noise and chaos as she could to hold her ground. Without warning however a huge wave came up from behind them and swept her under the water. Nick frowned with concern then and reached into the sea to grab her by the arm and pull her up again.
"Come here," he said, lifting her up above the water as much as he could with his arms wrapped around her waist. "Let me see. Are you okay?"
She coughed and laughed, panting for breath. "Yes, I'm okay big bro."
He smiled and held her while she caught her breath, looking over her shoulder at the lights of the town in the distance. He felt so warm and dreamy all of a sudden.
If only they could just stay like that forever. If he could freeze time then they could just stay there together.
He kept his eyes on the view. "You're wonderful Sal," he said, staring at the lights and avoiding eye contact with her.
She was silent for a while before she responded. "Nick," she began.
"Yes."
"I missed you. Promise you won't lose contact with me again," she said.
He smiled. "I promise."
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