Page 91 of Spindrift

“Butshe knew you were a vet.”

“Shedid. She told me . . .” Morgan began. Nell lifted her head as the hand pettingher paused. “She told me she had expected things to get better. Easier.Obviously, they didn’t.”

“I’msorry.”

“Ihad no fucking clue. I was happy. I thought she was, too. Here.” She passed thebottle back and rolled her shoulders as if to shrug off the memory. It lingeredin the tight line of her jaw and the tremor that passed through her lower lip.Emilia recognized the effort of pretense it took her to keep her voice leveland her fists unclenched—it was the same pretense she carried with her everyday.I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine,that posture said.Please believeme so that I can believe myself.

“So,that’s my story.”

“Thankyou.”

Morganraised a brow.

“Youwere too perfect.” She slid her palm up Morgan’s calf, then dragged her nailsback down. The tightness in Morgan’s body retreated, replaced by a new kind oftension.

“Andnow I’m not?”

“Nowyou’re . . .” She set the bottle on the floor and dislodged Nell with a lovingtap. Morgan waited, her dark blue eyes catching more of the sunset as Emiliastraddled her. “Human.”

“I’vealways been human, to my knowledge.”

“Doyou have any idea what you looked like to me that day on the dock?” she asked,running her fingertips over Morgan’s lips.

“Youlooked like you wanted to kill me.”

Shesank into Morgan’s lap. “It didn’t seem fair. I was a wreck, and you were thiscocky, unfairly attractive witness to my total incompetence.”

“Youweren’t that incompetent.”

Emiliamoved her hips and Morgan sucked in her breath.

“You’rea bad liar,” she said.

Morgansmirked. “Fine. Then I admit I enjoyed rescuing you.”

“Iknew you got off playing hero.”

“Isave lives every day.”

Unlikeme,Emiliathought. She let it go, relishing the feel of Morgan’s hands on her waist.

“Youhave no idea what you looked like to me either,” Morgan added.

“Angry?”Emilia guessed.

“Angryand gorgeous.”

“Youdidn’t always think so.” At Morgan’s frown, Emilia laughed to hide her embarrassment.“You clearly don’t remember me, but I had the hugest crush on you growing up.”

Itwas easier to admit than she’d thought it would be—eased in part, no doubt, bythe blatant longing in Morgan’s face as she squeezed her waist.

Morgan’seyes widened in what was unmistakably delight, followed by a grin that madeEmilia simultaneously want to deny her confession and push Morgan inside herthe way she had on the boat. “You didn’t.”

“Yep.I remember your ponytail and how you would dive into the water like a seal.”

“Ican’t believe I would have missed you.”

“It’snot like we ever talked. And you would have had to stand still long enough tonotice me,” said Emilia.

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