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Nate and I are a part of all of this, of nature coming to life, expressing its bounty for the coming season.
The world is so much bigger than us. It seems so trivial, this “will we, won’t we” compared to all this beauty.
Nate leads us into a lagoon, a huge dripping willow on the bank. Its bending branches are close to skimming the surface of the water.
He drops the anchor, both deft and careful as he works.
The sun is starting to waver in the sky, oranges and pinks creeping up on blue.
“Can I help?” I hope I can take some of the labor off him, even if I know I would be more in the way than anything.
He smiles over his shoulder at me. “You just sit there looking pretty.”
From any other man, that would be a big yuck. But from him…
Fuck, my insides are a molten stew of want. My core is aching for him. And I know I’m wet.
I could cry. This is so embarrassing.
But a sunset cruise? That’s romantic, isn’t it?
“Alright, there we go. No drifting out to sea for us.” Nate retrieves the picnic basket. “You hungry?”
I can’t find the words to speak.
I’m hungry. Not for food. Not for anything in that basket. I’m hungry for him. And I’m so ashamed.
“Laney?”
I look away, pursing my lips, biting back tears. “I…”
“Are you alright?”
I close my eyes, trying to take measured breaths to keep from crying or worse, doing something stupid.
“What’s wrong?”
His hand skims my arm, and I jump..
Nate retreats. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I–”
“I’m sorry I kissed you.” I try my best to sound sure of my words. Strong. “It was stupid and wrong, and I won’t do it again.”
Ice-blue eyes stare back at me. Blinking. Confused. “Why?”
“Because you–it was uncalled for. And I didn’t ask. And–” Great, now I’m rambling. “And I work for you. And…”
Mason pops into my mind.
I try to wipe him away, will him to leave me alone.
“You don’t have to apologize, Laney.”
I shake my head with vehemence. “But I do. Because–”
Nate’s hand shoots out and grabs mine.
I go silent, as though his mere touch has yanked my voice box out of my body.
