Page 27 of Secondhand Secrets

“Which is what brought you to my door at 3:30 on a Wednesday afternoon?” By now, the water reached her belly button, the cold still a bother, although the conversation helped. “Good luck with your sales, by the way, and thanks for dragging me out of the house. Now that I’m here, I missed this place more than most.”

For once, her nerves stilled, and she said nothing, more out of comfort than jitters. “Really?”

“Really.” His gaze held hers for a beat too long, and still, his smile grew. “I have some good memories here. Of the fun we used to have. And how sitting beneath the willows always felt like being inside a tent.”

“They always had a way of making me wonder what it would be like to have my own place.” She released an easy laugh. “Life seemed so hectic back then, but it was simpler, wasn’t it?”

“Some things were simpler.” His smile faded into a flatter line, and he pulled her along.

Right. Her life had been simpler. Her family a picture of stability while Chip’s and Sarah’s was a chaotic mess that ultimately left members scattered across the country. Gnawing shame had her peering down at her fingertips skimming the water’s glossy surface.

Sometimes I can be a total ignoramus.

“Ally?”

By now, the water covered her chest and had done so for a while. She lifted her gaze to him and his focus dancing about her face. Had she played a part in his past complexities? Well, the swirling in her belly said the tables had now turned.

But all he said was, “You’re not getting your hair wet?”

She laughed and shook her head. Since when had she become an over-thinker? “I’m still wearing my makeup from work and the drowned-rat look isn’t in this season.”

He gave a soft shrug. “It’s just me.”

She bit her lower lip to keep from laughing. Had he seen himself lately? But a simpler excuse would lead to less embarrassment. “I like to be presentable.”

He shook his head and sank backward into the water, letting go of her hand before he slipped under completely, only to soon rise in all his glistening glory.

No drowned vermin look for this guy.

“I still remember when a giggly and energetic Ally Egan would race me to the water just to be the first one in.” His smile grew, although not enough to drown the pang of something that alerted her to yet another role-reversal. This time, when it came to being self-conscious. “Remember that?”

She laughed and dipped down to neck level in the hopes of appeasing him. Truth was, she hadn’t become more self-conscious. What had changed were her feelings for the man before her.

Oh, hell!

“No, I’m good here.” She waded back a little, trying hard to seem unaffected, but he lowered his chin, droplets of water trailing along his jawline, the challenge in his stare melting her from the inside-out.

“Jump in. Or I’m coming after you.”

The low warning should have intimidated, and it did to some extent, but more than anything, his hollow threat left her skin prickling while a ripple of nerves stirred at her insides.

She kept her voice light but backed away some more. “No, you won’t.”

He laughed and drew closer all the same.

“Chip. I’ll scream.” But her scream was more a squeal of delight as she spun away, running—as fast as one could in water.

“Just dive in, Ally.” His laugh trailed behind her along with the loud splashing sounds of him chasing her. “It will be over before you know it.”

Sensing him closer, she shrieked and used humor to eke an escape. “That’s what all the boys say.”

His splashes stopped as did his laughter. She turned to find deep lines scoring the space between his brows, his stare unblinking, as though she’d stunned him.

A long moment passed before he folded forward in a roar of laughter, the sound bouncing within the grotto of water and trees. A small chuckle grew inside her, the crinkles at his eyes holding a familiar mischief.

“Chip.” She shook her head at all the silliness. “I’m going back to the picnic blanket.”

“No, you’re not.” He narrowed his eyes, although the rest of his face still smiled.

---