The storm was intense but short lived. It hit the Gulf coast with forty mile per hour wind gusts and dropped four inches of rain in an eight-hour period. Technically, it wasn't strong enough to be classified a hurricane, but Cassie thought it was going to blow the roof off her apartment.

It had started around dinner time, just like the weather lady on TV had predicted and ended during the middle of the night. Cassie huddled beneath the covers listening to the wind howl through the cracks of her old building and the rain pelting the roof. When the wind finally eased around two, she fell into a deep sleep and didn't wake until ten the next morning.

The long sleep did her good. She felt much better than the day before. Her lungs still burned when she breathed deep, but her sore throat had all but healed. The aftereffects from the storm still made the sea too choppy to work in. Just as well. She wouldn't be able to dive given her impaired lung capacity. She would need another couple days to be back in top shape.

By noon, the skies cleared and the day warmed. The weather lady declared the next few days would be spectacular, but two more tropical storms were brewing in the Gulf and might make landfall by the end of the following week.

Rafe was due to pick her up at five. By four, Cassie had become frantic, unable to decide which of the two dresses to wear her aunt bought for her the day before. She wanted to be perfect for him.

Both garments had high hemlines to show off her legs and with modest tops. She had followed her aunt's advice about not showing skin in both areas. Besides, she was self conscious about her breasts which she considered to be unimpressive in size. One dress was red with short sleeves, the other teal with three quarter length sleeves.

Rafe had been secretive about where he was taking her, only saying they would be spending some of the time outside. She worried she would be cold after the sun went down and the breeze kicked up, so maybe the teal one with the longer sleeves would be better.

She finally decided on the teal one and slipped it on. If things worked out and they had a second date, she'd surprise him with the red one.

At five, she finished her makeup and sat on her sofa waiting. She knew she was nervous because she started playing with her braids, a bad habit of hers when anxious. The knock came at ten after and Cassie's heart started racing.

She recalled Aunt Marnie's final words of advice. "Just be yourself and everything will be fine."

Cassie opened the door.

"Cassandra, wow!" Rafe exclaimed when he caught sight of her.

His goofy grin and the way he looked at her left no doubt he liked what he was seeing. She liked the way he looked too, untucked button-down shirt with the top two buttons open exposing his chest hair, and snug fitting trousers.

"Would you like to come in or should we leave now?"

He eyed her. "I made reservations, so we should go." He paused. "On the other hand, you could convince me to ditch the reservations and stay here all night with you."

She blushed. "Nice try, but I don't think so." Not this time, anyway.

"Darn."

"Am I going to need my hoodie?"

"Bring it. We can leave it in the car if you don't need it."

A few minutes later Rafe was driving her south on U.S. 19. He drove a four-door sedan that resembled a cop car to her, but it was sparkling clean inside and out. She wondered if he spiffed it up just for her. "Can you tell me yet where we're going?"

"Honeymoon Island."

Cassie laughed. "Don't you think you're being a bit premature?"

"I'm taking you there because of a new restaurant that just opened on the beach. Milos tells me they serve better Greek food than any of the restaurants here in Tarpon Springs."

What he revealed bothered her a little. "You told my uncle where you were taking me?"

"For security reasons, he wanted to know. Cassandra, I was hoping we could talk about that this afternoon. I don't get it. What is it with all the secrecy surrounding you?"

She didn't think she should discuss it, so she changed the subject. "Do you realize you are the only person who consistently calls me Cassandra? You can call me, Cassie, you know?"

"I think Cassandra is prettier sounding. The name suits you."

He had just called her pretty! She felt her cheeks go warm.

A half-hour later, they arrived at the restaurant called, "The Triton." A large statue of a Greek god adorned the lobby. Cassie thought it was gaudy. "Who was Triton?"

"God of calm seas," Rafe explained. He informed the hostess of his reservation.

She led them to the upper deck of the restaurant and to a table on a private balcony overlooking the Gulf. Rafe held the chair for her as she sat. It made her feel special, the good impression he was trying to make with her.

"Thank you," she said. The view of the water and the setting sun was almost as good as the view from her aunt's condo. "It's beautiful here. Thanks for bringing me."

They ordered drinks, non-alcoholic since they were both underage.

Cassie ordered a moussaka entre. "Good choice," Rafe said, "I'll have the same."

When the waitress left, they sat across the table looking at each other. "How many other girls have you brought here?" Cassie asked.

"You're the first. I don't date much."

She wasn't sure if he was being sincere. He was too good looking. "I find that hard to believe."

"It's true."

"Why don't you date much?"

He looked her in the eye. "I'm picky."

She felt heat rise into her cheeks again. He was good at making her blush. "You're too smooth to have not dated much."

"Enough about me," he said. "I want to know all about Cassandra Drakos."

Cassie supposed it was inevitable he would ask about her. It was a normal part of dating's getting-to-know-you process. She didn't know how to handle his curiosity. Looking at her hands in her lap, she asked, "What exactly do you want to know?"

"For starters, why aren't you on social media? I find it unusual when any teen girl has absolutely zero digital footprint."

"You're trying to cyberstalk me?"

"I'm just naturally curious about the girl I'm dating."

"Oh, so we're dating now, as in more than one date?"

"Cassandra, you're avoiding my questions."

"And you're making me uncomfortable." Her tone came across more aggressive than she wanted.

He sat back in his chair. "For someone so young, you carry some heavy secrets."

Cassie stared at her hands and said nothing, hoping she could figure out a way to move on. She looked out over the Gulf. "There's a sight I'll never tire of."

Rafe followed her gaze. "Red skies at night, sailor's delight."

The sun had dipped below the Gulf leaving behind a beautiful reddish orange ribbon stretching from horizon to horizon.

He fumbled with his phone. "Stand against the balcony railing and let me take your photo."

"No," she said feeling panicky.

He looked hurt. "Why not?"

She hated refusing him and being constantly evasive. "I can't have my image posted anywhere on social media."

Rafe's look of hurt turned to one of concern. "Wow, whoever you're hiding from has you terrified."

"Rafe, please. Let it go."

"I won't show the photo to anyone. It's just for me. I want to be able to look at it when I think about you and remember how pretty you are in that dress."

Cassie wavered. She was being unfair. If there was anyone in this world she could trust, it would be Rafe. He had protected her, kept news of her assault a secret, and she knew he respected her. She should grant him this one wish. "Okay, as long as it's just for you."

"Thank you. Your trust means a lot to me."

She got out of her seat and leaned against the railing feeling nervous. Was she doing the right thing?

"Perfect," Rafe said. He took the shot.

"Let me see." He showed her the display on his phone.

"Oh, gosh, I'm playing with my hair."

"I like the pose. You look cute playing with your braids."

She rolled her eyes. A moment later she laid a hand on his arm. "Rafe, you have to promise me the photo is only for you."

"I already did, but if you want to hear me say it again I swear on my life, I won't post it. I'll never show it to anyone else."

Cassie squeezed his arm for emphasis. "You see, that's the thing. You aren't swearing on your life. You're swearing on mine."

Photo Credit: Shutterstock/Ironika (Original modified by the author)

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