“I was trying to say you’re looking at me strange,” I say, setting the bracelet aside and giving him a pointed look.
“Is it strange to stop and admire a sunrise?”he asks, cocking his head. What is he saying? The sun has been up for a few hours and—
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen—that’s all.” There’s something coy about the way he says it. He’s distracted, focusing on tying off the elastic on his finished bracelet. It looks a little tricky with the webbed hands, but he’s skillful alright,
I wonder if he does rings.
He’s too perfect, a combination of everything I longed for back then, and everything I need right now.
My breath catches as I tear my eyes away.
“You alright?” His voice comes soft and calm, further proving my point. My hands shake against the table.
“What if I’m imagining you again?” My voice comes as a dull whisper.
With his free hand, he reaches to slip the bracelet back on my wrist. The beads roll across my skin until it’s perfectly in place.
“I’m right here.” His whisper is accompanied by a kiss to my cheek. “Looks like it’s a perfect fit, hm?”
“Yeah…” I say, admiring the combination of charms and pearls that contrast the humble pony beads. Before I lose my nerve, I slide the one I made onto his wrist too.
Gil’s grin is wide and confident as he strides backward toward a jug of sweet tea. In his excitement, he forgot to grab cups so the two of us have been taking swigs like it’s a fine wine.There’s something so perfect yet unexpected about seeing him surrounded by trees adorned with hanging moss holding the bottle to his lips.
I find myself scanning him from top to bottom in this all-too-familiar space: the webbed shape of his feet, strong legs, the scale-covered bulge that’s as smooth as if he’s wearing dance tights. I stare for too long overtaken by curiosity.
We’ve kissed, but what if things went a little further…
“Can you get me pregnant?” I ask, and suddenly, sweet tea sprays from his lips like an erupting volcano.
I’m grateful his mouth was facing away from me. Maybe it’s the nerves, the sugar, or the way I’m consumed by fantasies of his body on mine. Butthat should have been an inside thought.
“What?” His voice is hoarse.
Oh no.
Gil thinks I’m making arequest.
My breath catches and I imagine a life—a future together. Tiny, webbed feet padding across a floor, halls filled with yawns from sleepless nights and laughter. I mirror the wide-eyed expression he’s wearing—oh my God, I need to chill out. Sure, we have the whole reunited childhood best friend thing, but I probably shouldn’t be imagining having babies with a man I’ve been on one and a half dates with, especially since kids are a “someday with the right person” thing for me.
He doesn’t say anything, only blinks with those transparent lids. As funny as it is to see him look this frazzled, I’m about to hide under the picnic table to combat the shame growing deep in my chest.
“Let me try that again,” I say, resisting the urge to hide my face in my hands. “If things got … physical, is there any protection we need?”
“Oh,” His pupils flare, dark and seemingly endless, making me melt with each second. Dear God…
“I’m not trying to assume, I just—oh my god, I’m so sorry, forget I said anything.”
“No—no, it’s not bad to talk about stuff like this. In fact, we should,” he says, but his eyes are suddenly averted. “Things like condoms work fine if that suits you. I… um, don’t want to assume anything about us going further, but if we did, I’d want us to be safe…”
“Condoms…” I say, slowly studying the lower half of his body—again.
“It … can make an appearance when it’s invited,” he simply says. “Does the lack of clothing bother you? I can—”
“No, it’s fine. I mean, you … and also, condoms. Yeah, those are good. Not that I was in a rush. I was mostly—”
“Curious?”
