Page 104 of Johnny

There’s a few seconds when I just stare at him. Speechless and still. Then I slowly, carefully, pull

my hand out of his and say, “Yeah. Sure. Let’s swim.”

He smiles at me. A very charming, disarming smile. “Good. Let’s change and I’ll meet you outside

on the beach.”

And when he gets up I realize his knees had been pressing against mine this whole time. Because I

feel the absence of his heat once he walks off.

“Right,” I whisper, watching him disappear into the hall bedroom.

I get up, walk into the master, and close the door, leaning my back against it as I let out a long

breath.

None of this is turning out the way I planned.

He’s not what I thought he’d be.

He’s not insane, he’s just tired. Or sad. Or… something else. Something I wasn’t expecting, that’s

for sure.

Maybe he doesn’t want to hurt people? Maybe he just wants to save his brothers?

Outside the air is warm and humid. I’m used to this climate. I’ve lived in the tropics my entire

life, but it’s August and that means the days are blazing and the nights make you feel like you’re

wearing a cloak made of rain clouds.

I chose the two-piece bathing suit. It’s red, has a lot of strings, and the clasp between my breasts is

adorned with a large, glittering rhinestone.

Johnny’s waiting for me in the sand. Sitting between two palm trees with his knees pulled up to his

chest, arms wrapped around them. Casual and beautiful as he gazes out to sea. The sliver of crescent

moon makes a long, wavy carpet of light across the water that beckons me towards him.

He turns and looks over his shoulder as I approach, his eyes lingering on my face for a moment,

then they slide down my body like hands and that gaze becomes more of a touch as he lingers on my

legs.

“It’s warm tonight,” I say.

He nods, his eyes seeking out mine. Then they drop to the necklace. I finger it without thinking, then

feel awkward and weird about everything. The bathing suit. The jewelry. The ribbon. The beach.

Even the beautiful crescent moon makes me uncomfortable right now.

Because this feels like a… gesture.