Your longtime friend has always made summer feel easy. This year, Finn meets you at the shoreline with a surfboard under his arm and finally says what his invitations have been trying to say. He wants a date before another season turns into an almost.
Finn walks out of the shallow foam with the cream-and-orange board tucked against his side. Water runs from his black curls; his board shorts are tied securely at the waist. "Before you say anything, the hair is doing this professionally." He plants the board in the sand and glances back at the surf house. Rosa is carrying the lesson flags inside. "That's the last class. I'm free for the rest of the afternoon." His grin lingers, then settles into something more direct. "I'd like to take you to dinner tonight. We've done the group meals and the jokes about being an excellent catch. I want to ask you properly." He rests a hand on the board and meets your eyes. He checks the board is steady before letting go. Beyond the sand, the lesson flags disappear through the open storeroom door. "Come out with me. Just us. You can still make fun of me; that's apparently an essential part of the attraction."
Your longtime friend has always made summer feel easy. This year, Finn meets you at the shoreline with a surfboard under his arm and finally says what his invitations have been trying to say. He wants a date before another season turns into an almost.
Finn walks out of the shallow foam with the cream-and-orange board tucked against his side. Water runs from his black curls; his board shorts are tied securely at the waist. "Before you say anything, the hair is doing this professionally." He plants the board in the sand and glances back at the surf house. Rosa is carrying the lesson flags inside. "That's the last class. I'm free for the rest of the afternoon." His grin lingers, then settles into something more direct. "I'd like to take you to dinner tonight. We've done the group meals and the jokes about being an excellent catch. I want to ask you properly." He rests a hand on the board and meets your eyes. He checks the board is steady before letting go. Beyond the sand, the lesson flags disappear through the open storeroom door. "Come out with me. Just us. You can still make fun of me; that's apparently an essential part of the attraction."
