"Come in."
Kevin walked in "Hey, I just wanted to make sure you were feeling alright."
I nodded "Yeah I am, thanks for checking up on me."
He smiled "No problem, hey um.. There's something else I wanted to ask you."
I put my phone down "Shoot."
Kev leaned against my door frame "Were you doing anything tomorrow? I was thinking if you weren't too tired, we could go to the beach.."
I smiled "Not that I know of and yeah, definitely! Sounds like fun."
He nodded "Cool, well I'm text you in the morning! Night."
"Night Kev."
************
"You and AJ kissed?? Girlllllllll!"
I laughed "Brandy stop!"
She screamed through the phone "Now you're going on a day date with Kevy Kev!!"
Whilw groaning I said "B, it's not a day date.. It's just two friends going to the beach. Maybe we'll build a sandcastle or two."
I pulled out a few outfit choices for today, I'm not entirely sure if we'll swim or not so I'll just wear regular clothes on top of my swimsuit. I picked out a pair of light wash shorts and a loose white blouse.
Brandy cautioned "Mhmm, it's different when you've had a crush on said friend."
I sighed "Had, Brandy. The point is, that the crush I had on Kev is in the past."
She sighed "If you say so."
Brandy and I talked a little more about random things before I got my text from Kevin.
I squealed "Oop that's him! I've got to go girl."
She laughed "Have fun, just not too much fun!"
As I walked out of the apartment, Howie was on his way back in. Initially I was going to go back inside and wait him out, but there was no other way to play this off.
Howie waved "Hey, going somewhere?"
I nodded. I didn't really want to say that I was headed to the beach with just Kevin, but honestly there's no harm in doing that.
So I added "Yeah, just going to the beach.. Wanna come?"
Howie thought about it for a second "Another time, thanks though."
I smiled "No problem. How's the Henna Tat holding up?"
He groaned "Very well."
Kevin walked out of the adjoining apartment with a beach ball and a bucket.
Howie quickly looked between us and said "Well I'll be here planning out our groups night out."
Kevin cleared his throat "Headed out?"
I nodded.
*******************
As we walked along the overly crowed beach I said "Oh, um I meant to return your compliment last night."
Kev smiled "Well thank you. Listen, last night I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable."
I raised an eyebrow "You didn't make me feel uncomfortable last night. Not one bit."
Kevin spun the beach ball on his finger before saying "Okay, that's good.. I just felt like I had imposed by assuming you.."
I laughed "Stop it, stop it right there.. I know what you're doing Richardson."
He put his hands in defense "I haven't a clue what you mean.."
I swatted at him "Yes you do."
He grabbed my hands and pulled me to him. Seconds later and I end up falling on Kevin.
"Owwww."
He was trying his best to stifle his laughter "Well at least I was here to break your fall."
I sighed and rolled off of him, we laid side by side in the sun baked sand for a while as the waves rocked back and forth. I felt his hand reach for mine and without hesitation I accepted it. Years ago I would've killed to be this close to Kevin. Hell, I would've been a nervous wreck if I got the chance, but now I'm laying here just enjoying the moment. I guess things really do happen for a reason..
As I turned my head and looked into his eyes I instantly felt butterflies in my stomach. A smile creeped across his lips as he rolled over to face me.
"I love seeing you like this. Peaceful and all, you're really beautiful."
Kev moved a curl from my face and softly kissed me on the cheek.
I was too shocked to say anything.
Quickly he sat up and stretched "I, uh.. I think we should head back now. I'm sure Howie's worried sick or something like that."
I nodded and stood up trying to wipe off as much sand as I could.
**************
Kevin gave me a warm hug and a soft kiss before walking into his place.
As I walked into the apartment AJ was sitting in the living room watching TV.
"Hey" I said as I tried to quickly get to my room without being questioned.
I was starting to feel very conflicted right now, maybe Brandy was right.
"You went out?" I heard AJ say from my living room.
"Yeah, I went to the beach. I would've asked if you wanted to come, but you were already out this morning." I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water.
He walked in and did the same, "That sounded like fun, but um yeah Brian and I went to get some coffee at this Bodega down the street."
I widened my eyes "Ooo sounds good."
AJ laughed "Exactly! Well, Howie wants to stay in for the night. You cool with that?"
I nodded and took a sip of my water "Totally.'
He smiled "We'll cook, watch a couple movies and maybe get some more alone time." He wiggled his eyebrows on the last part.
I smirked "Alone time... Now why would we need that?"
Instantly I felt a pang of guilt.
AJ bit his lip "I'll show you.."
**********
To be continued