Page 56 of The Other Room

“Don’t screw it up now,” I breathed as I re-situated the oars and started paddling toward the lights of our cabin.

When I got there, Jo stood on the beach in a pair of jersey pants and a sweatshirt. Even in the casual clothing, she’d never looked more beautiful.

“We’d better not get busted,” she said as I pulled up on the beach.

“Your chariot awaits.” I hopped out and held the boat steady while she climbed in and sat on the small back bench seat. When she looked settled, I pushed the boat back out and then hopped inside.

“Careful!” she laughed, holding onto the edges while the boat teetered back and forth.

“Sorry.” I sucked the air through my teeth as I took my seat and waited for the rocking to stop. “Little boat.”

“Little stolen boat,” she added, and then chuckled.

“Borrowed.” I smiled and started paddling.

Jo leaned back, staring up at the sky as I paddled us away from the lights on the shore. When we were far enough out that the lights from shore dimmed, I fumbled for the anchor at my feet then tossed it overboard. I felt it hit bottom, and I gave it a tug to make sure we wouldn’t float off and require a rescue from the Coast Guard. Getting busted in a stolen boat wasn’t exactly part of my perfect romantic evening.

“There. Perfect.” Careful not to rock the boat, I leaned down and pulled out the folded blankets.

“What’s that?” Jo pointed to them.

“Blankets. So we can lay back and watch the meteor shower.”

“Oh,” she answered, and I saw something flash across her face.

I searched her expression, analyzing it. If I had to put money on it, I’d pick concern. Did she not want to lay next to me? Did the thought revolt her? Was Jenna wrong?

Trying not to lose the gumption I was barely hanging onto, I pushed forward. With a wave of my arms, I flung the blanket into the air and let it settle onto the floor.

“Go ahead. You get situated and then I’ll join you.”

Jo bit her lip then nodded. The boat teetered as she shifted to the floor, and I braced against it while I waited for her to get settled. Once she was lying down with her feet on one seat and her head at an awkward angle on the seat beside me, I climbed down beside her.

“Here. We can use this blanket as a pillow.” I lifted the other thick blanket and gestured to her head. Jo sat forward, and I placed the blanket behind her, then laid my head back beside hers and kicked my feet up on the other bench. “Not bad! Pretty comfy for a tiny boat!”

“Not bad at all.” She glanced over at me and the close proximity of her lips sent a surge of excitement and panic flooding back through me.

The usual chant of just friends started up in my head, but this time I told it to get lost. Tonight, that taunting voice wasn’t welcome here. Tonight was about confessing my feelings for her... the ones I’d harbored since before I’d learned to ride a bike. And I couldn’t remember a time in my life I’d been more terrified.

Jo looked away and then up to the sky. Millions of stars dotted the black canvas, but none were dancing across the sky yet.

“They should start soon. I googled it while you were getting the boat. Peak should start in about fifteen minutes.”

“Cool. I haven’t seen them in years.” I folded my arms behind my head and stared up at the sky with her.

“When was the last time we did this?” she asked.

“You and me together? Middle school, I think.”

“That’s the last time I remember, too. I’ve seen them other times, but just by myself.”

“Oh good, I thought you were going to say you cheated on me and watched the Perseids with someone else. Meteor showers are our thing.”

I glanced over and caught her smile. But as soon as our eyes met, she quickly looked away.

My nerves crackled inside me, and I struggled not to blurt out what Jenna got me so desperate to say.

Timing. It was all about timing.