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He sat beside her and pulled off his shoes and socks Then he looked at me

"Aren't you joining us, Olivia?"

"I kno cold that water is," I said

"No, it's not," Belinda said leaping to her feet "Belinda used to be terrified of the ocean," I said "Well, I'm not anymore," she cried "I have to step into it once in a while to cool off, remember? I'm Miss Hot"

Nelson laughed and she tugged on his hand again I watched as the two of the down to the surf

"You're going to get soaked," I shouted, but the roar of the sea drowned out my voice Reluctantly, I slipped off my shoes and socks and drew closer to them

Belinda squealed and continued to splash and run with Nelson clinging to her hand His laughter trailed out to sea Suddenly, Belinda stopped We were a good thousand yards from the house and before us, the beach was dark, deserted

"It's so warm and the water's not really cold, is it?" Belinda asked

"No," Nelson said "Surprisingly, it isn't" He looked back at me

"It's not exactly a bathtub," I said

"I' in," Belinda suddenly declared

"What?" Nelson's face glittered in the starlight, his sentle

"Skinny dipping Haven't you ever done that?" "Belinda!" I cried "Don't you dare"

"Oh, I don't ht down to naked," she said "You can't see , Nelson?" she challenged

"Oh, sure, but"