Trifecta: Sunbathing

She began the ritual of arranging herself on the chair just so. Book to the left. Margarita to the right. Lying prone, she reached her hand around and pulled the thin string that held her swimsuit top in place. She hated tan lines.

Soaking in the heat, her body warmed like a stone on hot pavement in summertime and she thoroughly relaxed into semi-consciousness. Her mind drifted as unfamiliar birds harmonized creating a symphony of soft background sounds.

That is until the swelter of the hot Arizona sun warned her she’d forgotten sunscreen for her back. Her skin was already tight from yesterday and hadn’t yet turned its customary golden brown. She knew to be wary of Mother Nature.

Hearing the subtle turning of pages, she angled her face in the direction of the sound. She had to squint to see who was sitting in the chair next to her. Hmmmm....

Did it really matter who she asked for help? She didn’t know anyone here anyway.

Gathering some chutzpa, she spoke up.

“Excuse me. It could be quite scandalous if I attempted to lotion my back at the moment. Would you mind terribly if I asked you for help?”

The rapidly changing hue of her back was nothing compared to the color of his face when her words actually registered with his brain. She noticed and was almost embarrassed she'd even asked.

“Uh, sure. Should we introduce ourselves first?”

“Not necessary, do you think?”

Tilting his head slightly to the side he thought, “Somebody’s got to do it.”

Squeezing SPF 30 into his left hand, he began the application process along what seemed like an unending expanse of her “unsuited” spine. Trying to appear as discreet possible as his hand approached her bikini bottom, the glint off his ring sent reflections like daggers into his eyes.

“Your legs look like they’re getting fried too.” 

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33-333 words for the third definition of:

Color (noun)

3: complexion tint:

  a: the tint characteristic of good health

  b: blush