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Chapter Twenty-Two
Ella stood with Donovan, waving as Abby’s taillights disappeared down the street. She’d been the last of the “planning committee” to leave. Now it was just her and Donovan, here alone.
Tingles zipped along the surface of her skin, just like they did every single time she was alone with Donovan. This had been a constant for their entire lives, but she’d forgotten how intense it was in the years he’d been away. She’d forced herself to forget.
Since he’d been back in town, even for just these couple of days, all of those feelings had come back in full force. In fact, maybe even stronger than she’d ever felt them in the past. When it had become clear that Donovan wouldn’t be coming back, she’d tried to create an “out of sight, out of mind” scenario to deal with the pain of missing him, but apparently she’d missed the mark and created an “absence makes the heart grow fonder” situation instead.
Whoops.
“Do you want to try something fun?” he asked.
“That sounds like a loaded question.”
“Depends on your definition of loaded.”
“I’ll go with…’having more layers of meaning than first meets the eye’ as a good definition of a loaded question.”
“Then, no. It’s not.”
She’d been teasing, but her heart still sunk a little at his words. It seemed that, when it came to their relationship, there was nothing but hidden layers of unseen meaning. Apparently a little part of her had been excited at the prospect of bringing some of those depths to the surface.
“All right, then. Define ‘something fun.’”
He grinned. “How about a little night swim?”
She grimaced. “Oh, God. The ocean is freezing this time of year.”
He nodded, the smile never leaving his face. “I know that. That’s why I’m talking about the pool here at the high school. Indoor. Heated. Paid for by my grandmother, as she was always fond of pointing out to me every time I told her I wasn’t interested in joining the swim team.”
“I don’t have a suit.”
He stepped closer to her, his fingertips brushing her hips and causing her to shudder. “Sure you do. Your birthday suit.”
Her eyes widened at the idea. “You want to go skinny-dipping in the high school pool?”
He shrugged. “Well, I’ve been told the ocean’s too cold this time of year.”
She shook her head. “I don’t have keys to the aquatic building.”
“See? That’s why you’re lucky I’m around.”
“Oh, that’s why, huh? I was wondering.”
“Oh, it’s one of many reasons, I promise you. But, yeah. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but you happen to be in the presence of an athletic god. A true legend of Valentine Bay High.”
“I wasn’t aware of that, actually. Largely because I’m pretty sure it’s not true. But go on.”
“Well, here’s what you also might not have been aware of—when it comes to legends, we’re not born; we’re made through hard work and dedication. And with that, comes a lot of hours here at the school.”
“Training, you mean?”
“Or legend-building. Whatever you want to call it.”
“Training, then.”
“Among other things. Like learning how to break in after hours.”
At this, she genuinely perked up. The banter had been fun, but this was the first piece of new information in the conversation.
