Memory Documentation

chapter nineteen | documenting a blissful night with him

Even in the dim lighting of the streetlamp under this dark sky, I could make out the way Chris's face brightened as he said, "A pool!"

"A pool?" I echoed flatly.

He shook his head at me before taking my hand once again. I silently planned to blame the red traffic lights for my reddened cheeks.

Chris led us around to the front of the building. Here I could recognize our hotel with its dark burgundy awning and bright lighting shining through the all-glass entrance. The lobby was practically empty besides the young man at the front desk. He didn't spare us a glance as Chris pulled me down an unfamiliar hallway towards the back.

"Are we really going to the pool?" I asked Chris wearily. My suspicions were confirmed as he opened an exit door and the scent of chlorine hit my nose before the sight of the pool caught my eyes.

The pool area was poorly lit besides the lights within the water itself. I watched as Chris let go of my hand and approached it, almost as if he was entranced by the way the water sparkled in the moonlight and splashed gently against the edges of the pool. My eyebrows raised even further as Chris proceeded to kick off his shoes.

"What are you doing?"

"Gonna soak my feet! C'mon, we're guests here. It's allowed. Plus, aren't you exhausted from walking all day?" he asked.

Only after pointing out did I realize just how beat I was, too.

The high of being with Chris today had only masked my own exhaustion, but now my throbbing feet and weak legs felt enticed by the calming waters.

Chris was one step ahead, already dipping his feet in with a moan of relief. "Oh, yeah. That's good. Your loss if you don't join me, Darce."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming. Don't look." I flushed and muttered, "I gotta take my tights off."

I was grateful he had no comment. I slipped off my tights and laid them on a nearby pool chair. Bunching up my sweater dress a bit, I sat down next to Chris and slipped my legs into the pool. The cooling effects of the water was immediate, and I couldn't help releasing a little sigh of my own.

Chris nudged me with his elbow. "Nice, huh? C'mon, say it. It was a good idea."

I relented with an eyeroll. "Yes, it was."

"I've grown to fucking love the water. And hey, I guess that's another hobby I've not told you about."

"Swimming?"

"Surfing, specifically. Of course, only while we're in California visiting my grandparents. I'm still pretty shit at it, but I like to go with my cousin when I can to practice."

"I'd like to see that," I said, smiling as I envisioned myself on a warm California beach, watching Chris paddle out into the ocean. It was crazy to think that, at some points, we were both in California during the five years I was away. Same time zone, same state. Just a couple hundred miles away. And now here we were, just a couple inches away, knees and shoulders nearly touching.

"Maybe when I go back, you can come with us," Chris said. "Reece and Jessica, too, this time. Maybe even your dad would wanna come? We could make it a whole fun thing."

I grinned even wider at the thought and turned to him. "Wanna go on another trip with little ol' me?" I teased, resurfacing my terrible accent. He met my gaze, the expression on his face signaling something like what kind of question is that?

"I'd go anywhere with you."

His gaze felt piercing, and I held it for a beat before I felt like I couldn't take it. My body warmed despite the cool water lapping at my legs. "Well, thank you for coming on this one," I murmured quietly, turning back to stare at the water. And then, even quieter, "Why did you?"