I motion to the rubbing alcohol on the tray.
"Right." She stares at the plain package. Slowly, she brings her gaze to me.
She searches my eyes for an excuse to get out of this. "You, um, you won't be able to go in open water for three weeks."
"And?"
"Won't that get in the way of your swimming?"
"Yeah." Damn, that's creative. "I'll live."
"When did you last hit the pool?"
"Last week."
"The beach?"
"It's been a while."
"It's still September. Still nice. I can't take you away from the beach."
"You can."
She shakes her head. "You should say goodbye to it."
My smile spreads over my cheeks. She's right where I want her. "All right. We'll wait until I say goodbye to the beach."
"Good."
"If you come with me."
She bites her lip.
"Two choices. You tattoo a star on my ankle. Or you show up at my apartment in a bikini first thing tomorrow."
"I don't wear a bikini."
"You want to go commando under your wet suit, I won't stop you."
"No, I—" She clears her throat.
"You want to skinny dip? My parents are in town, but I'm sure I can get them out of the house."
"I'm not getting naked at your parents' house."
"You're the one opposed to bikinis."
"You have heard of one-pieces?"
"Like the anime?"
"No." Her laugh breaks up the tension in her jaw. "But you… you watch anime?"
"Sometimes."
"That… seems wrong."
"Why? What about me says I don't watch anime?"