Flash Fiction #2: Love at the Beach

Evelyn chose a seat at a table by the windows where she could watch the waves rolling onto shore as they grew higher and the clouds grew darker over Myrtle Beach. Despite the weather, Evelyn was determined to enjoy her weekend at the extravagant ocean-side resort, even though the sailing excursion she had booked for the afternoon was cancelled.

It was too early in the day to capitalize on the free cocktail the hotel had offered her for the cancelled excursion, so she sipped a sweet iced-tea and enjoyed the rays of sunshine peeking through holes in the thick clouds. Far out on the horizon, curtains of rain began falling over the water.

A man carrying a plate of food approached the table next to hers. It was the same brawny man she’d noticed at breakfast, eating alone and deeply involved in reading his newspaper. As their gazes met, he smiled and nodded his head. Returning his smile, Evelyn looked out the window again. Lightning flashed near the shoreline, and a low rumble of thunder echoed in the distance.

“May I join you?” A rich voice spoke from behind her. Evelyn looked up to find the brawny man standing near her. “I booked a boat trip for the afternoon, but it was cancelled because of the rain,” he said. “A conversation with a lovely lady would brighten my day.”

Should she accept his offer? “Enjoy your weekend, Evelyn. Get out there. Talk to people,” her brother Simon had coaxed her before the trip. Evelyn bit the corner of her lower lip and stared at the stranger’s vivid blue eyes.

They exchanged names, and he told her to call him Matt. Evelyn gestured to the open seat at her table. “I’m staying at the resort for a work conference next week,” Matt said. “I showed up two days early to enjoy the pool and a sail along the beach.” He smiled at Evelyn, the light creases lengthening around his eyes. “Seems like Mother Nature has other plans for my weekend.”

“I was supposed to be on that boat,” Evelyn said. “Looks like Mother Nature has changed both our plans.” Maybe for the better.

Matt sat across from Evelyn. She ordered a plate of fried-cheese appetizers and a refill of her iced tea.

“Put everything on my tab,” Matt said to the server.

“Your accent sounds local? Do you live in the area?” Evelyn said.

“Sort of,” Matt replied. “I have a small beach house, about a two-hour drive south of here. The company I work for hosts conferences twice a year at this resort, so I'm not a newcomer.”

Evelyn had noticed a hotel staffer transporting a conference sign through the lobby when she’d checked in, advertising “Up-skilling HR Execs”.

“This is my first stay. My brother Simon invited me to stay with him here in town for a few days, then surprised me with this weekend resort getaway. He says I need to mingle with other singles and have some relaxing fun.”

“What do you think?”

“I don’t mingle with other singles often enough. He’s right, and I love him for it,” Evelyn replied.

They chatted for almost two hours and treated themselves to more appetizers.

"I walked on the beach this morning before the bad weather arrived," said Evelyn. “I love the feel of the wet sand between my toes and watching the seagulls diving and fighting for breakfast.”

“Let’s walk together tomorrow morning,” Matt suggested.

Evelyn smiled. “It’s a date.” Her stomach fluttered. It had been years since she felt this way about a man.

Early the next morning, Evelyn stood barefooted on the damp sand of the shoreline. The sun peeked over the horizon and spread rays of warm, welcoming light across the ocean. Happy sandpipers skittered along the sand. Seagulls called to each other as they swooped low to the ground and circled the shallow waters in search of breakfast.

Evelyn turned toward the boardwalk that linked the resort and the beach. Matt, dressed in shorts and carrying a pair of flip-flops, walked onto the sand. She raised her hand to wave a greeting, and the fluttering in her stomach returned. It was going to be a beautiful day.

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