The Pitch: City Love 2 by Belinda Williams Page B

surface several feet closer to the shore. My hair covered my face and the sting of salt bit at my eyes. A bubble of laughter erupted from my throat. I started to swim after my board floating in the opposite direction.
    John swam over in a few swift, sure strokes and efficiently rescued the board for me.
    “Better. Your height feels like a disadvantage now. Once you get the hang of it, you won’t notice it.”
    He would know. I’d watched him when I’d first arrived earlier that morning. At over six feet, John riding a surfboard was poetry on water, and even a novice like me could appreciate his skill.
    “I think it’s time to take a break,” he suggested.
    I nodded. I was having fun, but I could do with a drink to wash away the salt and sand stuck between my teeth.
    Back on shore we sat dripping pools of water onto the sand. I soaked up the blissful morning sunshine. With a sharp burst of realization, I knew Paul had been right.
    I felt so alive.
    I felt one hundred percent in the moment. As much as I loved my business, this was energizing in a way the four walls of my office couldn’t achieve. I wondered if Paul had seen something of himself in me, which was why he’d pushed me to think beyond Grounded Marketing.
    “Not regretting this morning, are you?”
    I shook myself as a gentle gust of wind brought me back to my senses. I turned my attention to John and smiled genuinely. “Not at all. I’m having a great time.”
    “You’re doing really well for a first timer. A lot of girls just squeal a lot and wait for me to come rescue them.”
    I bit back a smile. I wonder why? “Not my style, I’m afraid. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, plus I’m stubborn. The only way you’ll have to rescue me is if I’m really drowning.”
    “I can tell. I figured Scarlett’s friends wouldn’t be the squealing type, anyway.”
    I grinned. “Whatever gave you that idea?” I teased.
    He returned my grin. “Long-term friendships with that woman require staying power, I’m guessing.”
    “She’s not that bad. Beneath the tough exterior, she’s one of the most reliable people I know.”
    “How do I get past the tough exterior?”
    I looked at him curiously. “Not many do.” Lord knew I’d only ever seen the softer, more vulnerable side of Scarlett a handful of times in a decade of knowing her. “It sounds like you find her intriguing,” I observed.
    He sighed, running a large hand through his mess of wet hair. “Intrigued? Deranged? They’re the same thing, aren’t they?”
    Oh my goodness, this man had the hots for Scarlett. I needed to put him out of his misery now. “John,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “I’ve known Scarlett a long time. She’s not really into relationships.”
    “I got that,” he said, with more than a hint of frustration.
    Oh dear. This wasn’t just intrigue, it was a genuine case of love sickness. The poor man.
    “Look John. You seem like a really nice guy. But – ”
    He waved a hand at me dismissively. “I know, I know. You’re not the first person to warn me.”
    “It’s for your own sanity.”
    “I get that too. Sanity and Scarlett don’t go well together.”
    I shrugged. “She’s a creative, what can I say?”
    He turned back to me, his brown eyes holding a silent plea. Uh oh.
    “Say you’ll put in a good word for me.”
    “It doesn’t really work that way – ”
    “If she could just get past the fact that I’m a few years younger – ”
    “Wait.” I held up a hand. “How much younger?”
    “Well, I think she’s almost thirty isn’t she? I’ve just turned twenty-five.”
    I couldn’t help it. I started giggling and mentally kicked myself as his beautiful tanned face looked crestfallen. “Sorry. That wasn’t intended to make fun of you. It’s just that Scarlett has something of a penchant for older men,” I told him.
    “I’m only five years younger,” he protested.
    “And you’re Asian.”
    “Wait. What?”
    His incredulity was