AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I let go of her hand so I can grab the painter and toss it into the water. It slaps the lake with a pelting sound, and just like that, my heart starts to pound even more than when we were running. I love my new boat. And I love rowing. And adding Sophie to the mix? It’s pure heaven.
I motion to the bench seats padded with ivory leather. Yeah, I went all out on this purchase. But I’ve got to take advantage of it now before the busy summer season, before motorboats and jet skis descend here like seagulls on a vat of worms.
She’s still standing on the boat slip, hesitating. I don’t remember her having a fear of the water or boats before. We used to go out with other shake shop employees after our shift. No, it’s not a fear of boats or water that’s in those golden-brown eyes. It’s something else. I offer my hand, but she ignores it, stepping into the boat without assistance, easing herself down on the padded bench.
“Go!” she screams. I push off and grab both oars in the oarlocks. She wobbles at the force, circling her hands to keep from falling off the bench.
Now that we’re in the water, I crane my neck to find Sebastian. Sure enough, he’s standing in the grass, his hands at his hips. I can’t see his face, but I’d bet the entire Tate International fortune that he’s frowning. My phone vibrates yet again, and I stop rowing so I can see his text.Real mature, Oliver.
I show Sophie and she giggles.
I slide my phone back into my pocket and begin rowing again, this time for real, as I get into the motion.
It’s my flow state. It’s unity of all the good things. Warm sun, water, a boat that glides like a hot knife through butter. And the view of Sophie? I can’t get over the way her dress is perfectly fitted on top and how it swings out from her waist. I’m distracted by her legs that somehow look longer against the fabric of the dress. They’re not tanned, they’re fair like the rest of her. Lately, I’ve found the contrasts between her dark brown hair and white skin alluring. She used to complain about her inability to tan—how her legs were pasty white.
I can’t believe I didn’t notice back then that they weren’t pasty, they’re luminous and toned. Like the surface of a creamy pearl.
Her hair is wild, coming out of a clip in the back because of the wind.
“Want me to take a turn?” she asks, pointing to the oars.
I shake my head but offer a smile. I don’t mean to be possessive here, but I’m not ready to relinquish my baby to anyone yet, not even Sophie.
We’re quiet for awhile, the solitude yawning lazily before us. “So, why were we running from Sebastian?” she asks. “Is he going to fire us now?”
I don’t answer that. Instead, I’m caught on another, interesting observation. “You came with me, no questions asked.”
She shrugs. “You saved me the other day when Troy’s dad was hunting me down. I’m returning the favor.” The breeze hits her face again. She plays with the bracelet on her wrist. “But seriously, what did he do that made you run? I’m an accessory to this crime. You owe me an explanation.”
“You know Sebastian. He’s too serious.” I take in the slice of the oars through the water. “It’s been a long day and I’m done. I keep telling him that taking breaks will only help his productivity, but he doesn’t believe me.” I gaze behind her at the mountain in the distance, the resort set so perfectly into the rise—like wood inlay. “Besides, I haven’t been on the water since I got here. You’re part of this beauty’s maiden voyage.”
“Really? I feel so special.” She laughs, but then her mouth goes in a straight line as she looks at me. She clears her throat. “It has been a long time since you’ve been on the lake, then. Obviously, you didn’t come out last August because you didn’t come to town at all.” Her back is straight. She’s staring at me.
I only feel relief, because she finally seems open to discussing how and why I missed last year’s closing night. I’m ready. She deserves as much—and more—from me.
Even though I know it’s the right time to tell her this, I still hesitate. It’s not going to be easy. There are a lot of aspects to this that have nothing to do with me, and I have to proceed with caution.
“Soph, I need to tell you why I didn’t come.”
Chapter 10
Oliver
The way the sunlight hits the water is giving me a headache. Suddenly, this picturesque setting is grating at me, and the place between my shoulder blades feels slick as my rowing has intensified.
I’ve been waiting, impatiently, for a chance to go out in the water. I may or may not have pictured Sophie sitting right here in this spot when I looked at photos of the boat online.
But now that we’re out here, in the heat, I’m tired. It’s not fair to Sophie to give her an abbreviated version of why I didn’t come last year. I need to tell her everything that I’m at liberty to say.
I let out a breath and ship the oars. I pinch my face where it’s starting to throb, right between my eyebrows.
“Alec needed me,” I say. “He called me the day I was supposed to fly here and he was…” Even now, remembering the sound of his voice gives me chills. “…not okay.”
I pause, the words getting stuck in my throat. Alec asked me not to tell people. Besides, until now, Sophie has shut down any of my attempts to talk about this.
I was a jerk, and she deserves an explanation. It’s tricky because it’s Alec’s stuff. It’s not exactly my story to tell.
“So you went to help him,” she encourages.
