Page 65 of The Other Half

“Hank! You ass!” she called while he padded toward the duck before it flew off. Poppy yipped, the nub of her docked tail wiggling in excitement.

“Poppy, don’t!” Cassie said, noticing her intent. Before she could reach her, Poppy launched off after Hank. “Poppy!”

“Don’t worry. I promise. No fish will eat her.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure. Let them have fun. It’s hot out. I bet the water feels good.”

The two dogs paddled in playful circles around the boat, and I tipped my head, glancing sideways at Cassie. “You know. It is hot out. The water looks pretty refreshing. Swim?”

“No. I’m good. I think—”

Before she could finish, I scooped her in my arms. Her scream echoed across the lake when I launched us over the edge. Plunging beneath the surface, I held her tight until we bobbed to the top. Her horrified gasp came when we emerged.

“You asshole!” she yelled, slapping my shoulder while we tread water. The dogs swam over, happy grins parting their mouths while they circled us.

Laughing so hard I struggled to breathe, I pulled her into my arms and shut her mouth with a kiss. Her resistance shattered, and she wrapped her arms around my neck. Together we floated, wrapped in each other’s embrace. The weightless feeling I experienced in the water paled compared to the way she made me feel, like I could just float away.

When our kiss broke, her soft smile gave away her enjoyment of our impromptu plunge.

“Told you it would feel good.”

“I’m never going boating with you again.”

“Liar.” I kissed her again. “I hate liars.”

The smile dissipated and she turned, swimming back to the boat.

“Where are you going?” I called, swimming after her.

“The boat! I’m cold!” she called back.

I watched her struggle to climb back up, realizing I’d forgotten to put down the ladder. Laughing at her failed attempts, I swam behind her and hoisted her on board.

“There’s a ladder over there. Just hook it on the edge in those clamps,” I said while I continued treading.

Here face appeared over the edge while she propped her hands on her chin. “Hmmm. Let me just think about that.”

“Cassie!” I laughed.

“Cold?”

I was cold, though I wouldn’t admit it. “Nope. But unless you want your little dog to drown, you’d better get that ladder down so we can get them up.”

“Poppy!” Her eyes fell to Poppy who was still happily paddling away with Hank. “Okay, okay!”

After she put the ladder on, I climbed up and called Hank. He scaled it with ease, years of practice guiding his way. Poppy swam up behind him and I leaned down and scooped up the little ball of fur.

We spent the rest of the afternoon curled up in the sun, laughing and napping before the clock told us it was time to get her in for work. When I had the boat docked again, we drove home, and I kissed her goodbye before she climbed back out of my truck.

“Don’t fall,” I said when she opened the door.

“I’m never going to live that down, am I?”

“Nope.” I grinned. “I’ll still be warning you when you’re ninety.”

With a flush in her cheeks, she smiled and grabbed her beach bag and Poppy, climbing out of my truck carefully. Before closing the door, she blew me a kiss.