"San Andreas." He replied, almost begrudgingly.

"That is quite far." I pointed out before asking "Why did you move?"

"Better surfing spots."

"Just like that?" I said in disbelief "You up and move your life to be closer to the coast because you enjoy surfing. There is no other reason?"

Stone did not meet my eye when he said "No."

"Do you like it here?" I spoke when he went quiet.

His next reply was when he finally looked at me. His lip twitched again in a small smile as he offered "I didn't when we first moved."

"You do now?"

He covered his mouth and rubbed his jawline "There is one reason worth sticking around."

"Your oven cleaning business?" I deadpanned.

His deep chuckle filled the car before he but went back to focusing on the road.

I dropped the subject as I noticed that we were nearly there. As the lights turned red, his head went back on the headrest and to the side so he could see my hair.

"Your hair is brighter in the sunlight." He affirmed.

"I know." I said, twirling a strand of my now brighter green hair "It was a different dye I used but I like it."

"I do, too."

"I’m sure you do." I said in a sarcastic tone, remembering his comment about it being puke coloured "The green is a little out there but at least I don't look as plain as I did."

"Plain?" He repeated in his harsh voice like he could not believe what I was saying.

I did not know why he did not seize the opportunity to agree with me. To mock me or crack a joke.

"Yeah. Dark brown hair. Dark brown eyes. Plain." I told him "Even my freckles are even. I have thirteen on each cheek."

Stone shook his head, his sentence coming out as more of a grumble "You are everything but plain."

The light turned to green, and he looked back ahead. That is when he chose to lighten the mood with an expected taunting comment.

"I'm surprised you don't describe your eyes with a made-up colour." He remarked "Like happily-ever-after brown or something"

He was never going to let the whole colour thing go. I doubt he would ever forget fairytale green.

I let out a breath and admitted "I should have kept my mouth shut that night and never have mentioned fairytale green."

The annoying large man in the driver seat replied, “Then I wouldn't have something to say to make you squirm."

The waves crept closer, and the feeling of dread took over me. In all that fear, there was also a slight sensation of excitement. I took a deep inhale and told myself that I was strong enough to do this. I had to jump into the deep end but maybe it would be better to get a push.