Page 58 of Buzzer Beater

“All right,” I said. “I think you guys have enough to blackmail me for a while.” I stood up and soon the rest followed.

Lucy caught up to me, grabbing my wrist. “I hope I didn’t upset you. That was just the first thing that came to mind.”

She was still smiling and there wasn’t anything worth taking that away. Not even my bruised ego.

I winced. “It’s a hard one to top.”

She nodded with one hand over her mouth.

“Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up. It’s a good thing they didn’t ask about your most embarrassing story.” I raised my eyebrow and she immediately sobered.

“You wouldn’t.”

I shook my head. “No, I wouldn’t.”

She finally dropped my arm, and I instantly missed her touch.

“I do think you owe me now though,” I said.

She tilted her head to the side. “Oh really?”

I nodded.

“What did you have in mind?”

“Sailing.”

She looked over my shoulder, as if to think about it. “It’s a little dark right now.”

I laughed while she grinned. “I meant tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.” I wanted to hug her or invite her to take a walk on the beach, but I didn’t want to push my luck. “I’ll stop by your room at nine?”

She nodded and took a step back, not turning around for several feet. With a final grin she waved and disappeared into the night.

Not too bad. Who would have thought all she needed was a reminder of my most shameful moment to look at me the way she used to?

I’d repeat it for the rest of my life to get one of her smiles, but hopefully I wouldn't have to. Tomorrow could be our new start.

17

Lucy

I was weakening. Each time our eyes locked the solid wall around my heart cracked just a little. He’d told me what really happened back then. It was a series of unfortunate events and misunderstandings that led to our breakup. I accepted that. The hurt of thinking of that time had lessen over the week.

Maybe it was being around him again. Being reminded of who he was. Seeing him as who he is rather than the villain I’d made in my mind.

That’s why today was a terrible idea. The last thing I needed was more time around him, especially alone. Thinking of him in a better light and moving on from the past was one thing. Letting myself fall again was something else entirely, and I was weak. I always had been when it came to Colin Brassard. My instinct was to love and trust him. I couldn’t let myself do that again. Not when there was no chance at a future.

“How do I look?” I asked Elena.

She looked up from her computer and smiled. “Beautiful.”

I smoothed the front of my shirt. I thought the shorts Elena insisted I wear were a little much for a day on a boat, but she told me the look was perfect.

“Thanks.” I checked my phone for the tenth time in the last few minutes. “He should be here.”