Dana
Come on, Rachel. Meeting hot guys is what spring break is all about!
Dana
Just go talk to him!
Rachel chews her bottom lip, eyeing the guy at the poolside tiki bar.
Rachel
Talking to strange men has never been my thing.
Dana
What better time to make it your thing?
Dana
I mean, LOOK at him.
Dana
Okay? Rach, he could be Zac Efron’s cousin.
Rachel
Then YOU go talk to him.
Dana
I’m not the one who hasn’t been on a single date in over a year.
Rachel
Shut up. Some of us are in college for the education.
Dana
It doesn’t hurt to socialize.
Rachel
Is that what the kids are calling it these days?
Dana
Look, I’m not saying sleep with him. Just talk to him.
Rachel
I’m in a bathing suit.
Dana
That fits you like a glove and makes your skin look like porcelain.
Rachel
Are you trying to ask me out, Dana?
Dana
The fact that I’d make an excellent boyfriend is beside the point.
Dana
Get out there, slugger.
Dana
Step up to the plate. Take the shot. Punt the ball.
Rachel
I think you left out a sport. Somewhere.
Dana
Whatever. You know what I mean. Go get him.
Rachel
Can’t I just wait for Mr. Right to find me?
Dana
If only life worked that way…
Rachel takes a deep breath.
She scoots off the lounge chair.
The only reason she’s going is so her friend will stop hounding her.
She’s dreading the embarrassment to come when all of a sudden—
Someone, or something as hard as a brick wall, slams into her.
Rachel gets knocked to the ground.
A gorgeous man reaches down for her.
Man
Oh god, are you okay?!
Rachel looks up into amber eyes clouded with concern.
Actually, all she can think is wow…
How did she not see THIS guy before?
Man
I didn’t see you coming.
Man
Here, let me help you up.
Trey gently takes one of Rachel’s hands in his…
And putting his other hand on the small of her back…
She winces when she tries to put weight on her right foot.
Trey places Rachel’s remaining hand on his tanned, muscular shoulder.
And leads her over to a chair.
Rachel watches as Trey’s long fingers move expertly over her skin.
Trey
Can you rotate your ankle?
Rachel gingerly turns her ankle in a circle.
Then shields her eyes from the sun as Trey rises.
Trey
It isn’t broken. Just sprained.
Rachel
How can you know for sure?
Trey
I’m a second-year medical student.
Trey
Breaks and sprains are kind of my thing.
He smiles and Rachel feels a shiver run through her entire body.
Trey
I do need to get you to the resort medical center—
Trey
I don’t have an ace bandage to wrap it for you.
Rachel
That’s really not necessary.
Rachel
I’m sure it’ll be fine.
Rachel tries and fails to stand.
Trey quickly crouches down, lightly keeping his hand on her back to steady her.
Trey
There’s something else you should know about me, Rachel.
Trey’s lips spread into a drop dead gorgeous smile.
Trey
I never leave a damsel in distress.
Rachel
Uh, excuse me. I’m no damsel in distress.
Trey
Then can you pretend you are so I have an excuse to carry you to the doctor?
Rachel fights back a grin.
Rachel
Why on earth would you want to do that?
Trey
I’m pretty sure it’s every guy’s fantasy to carry a woman to safety.
Rachel
I think I’ll need the doctor to check out my eyes too.
Rachel
I rolled them so hard I may have done permanent damage.
Trey barks out a laugh and Rachel can’t help it—
She laughs along with him.
Trey
Come on, what do you say?
Trey
Besides, you can’t exactly walk there.
Trey
And it’s not like it’s very far — maybe a hundred feet.
Rachel
Here comes my best damsel in distress.
Rachel wilts against Trey’s chest, throwing a hand dramatically over her brow.
Rachel
Can someone please help me?
Rachel
I feel I might have a case of the vapors.
Trey laughs and sweeps Rachel into his arms.
Trey
I didn’t realize you were from the 1800s.
Rachel
Beggars can’t be choosers.
Rachel feels a blush flood her cheeks as she stares into Trey’s handsome face.
Rachel
You might not say that after you’ve carried me for a few minutes.
Trey pauses to whisper down at Rachel.
Trey
I’m pretty sure you’re perfect.
For a moment, the two say nothing as they get lost in one another’s eyes.
Trey
All right —hang on tight.
Rachel winds her arms around Trey’s neck.
Rachel
Are you always such a sweet talker?
Trey
Nah. Besides, school takes up most of time these days.
Rachel
That’s refreshing to hear.
Rachel
Most guys you meet on spring break aren’t exactly Rhodes Scholars.
Trey
Well, I may be a serious student…
Trey
But I also know how to have fun.
Trey
Have dinner with me tonight.
Rachel
I’ll have to think about that…
Rachel
You almost gave me an ACTUAL spring break…
Trey raises an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Rachel has to work to keep from smiling during the entire examination.
She’s diagnosed with a sprain, and her foot is wrapped.
Doctor
Try to stay off it tonight.
Doctor
Ice it and keep it elevated as much as you can.
Trey
I’ll take care of that, doc.
Rachel
Just what are you up to?
Trey
You said yes to dinner, so—
Trey
That’s how I remember it.
Rachel
Okay, fine. Dinner it is.
Trey
Now, do you trust me?
For some reason, she feels safe with Trey.
And that, maybe, he could be the guy she’s been hoping for.
Trey
Then I’ve got just the place.
Trey offers his arm to Rachel, and they slowly make their way down to the beach.
He leads her to a quiet spot on the sand, the waves crashing on the shore just a few feet away.
Trey
Stay put. I’ll be right back.
He returns a few minutes later, carrying two chairs.
He helps Rachel settle into one chair, propping her foot up on the other.
Then drapes a bag of ice over her ankle.
Trey
Now, for the finishing touches.
He nods behind Rachel, and she turns to see what he’s pointing out.
Two waiters are walking toward them.
They lay out a blanket, a plate of sandwiches, and two drinks.
Rachel watches as they set up a beautiful picnic.
When they leave, she turns wide-eyed to Trey.
Rachel
How did you do all this?
Trey shrugs, his pale eyes sparkling in the dying sunlight.
Trey
I made a quick call.
Rachel
You didn’t have to do that!
Trey
I know, but I ran into YOU.
Trey
It’s only fair that I treat you to a proper dinner.
Rachel
Thank you. So much.
Trey
I hate when people say “my pleasure,” but it is.
Trey
My pleasure, I mean.
Rachel
It’s mine, too. Believe me.
Trey takes one glass and hands one to Rachel.
Trey
To the best spring break I’ve ever had.
They drink, never taking their eyes off each other.
Rachel gulps, and looks up at Trey.
Rachel
Oh, I forgot to text my friend.
Rachel quickly taps out a message to Dana.
Rachel
I’m fine. I think I ran into Mr. Right.
Or better yet, she thinks, he ran into me.
