Page 20 of Cruising with You

“Yeah. I agree. Have you ever had anyone look at you like that?”

“The closest I’ve ever gotten was you at the football stadium, and since that was a total ruse, I’m gonna go with no. That’s never happened to me. How ‘bout you?”

I clear my throat, hating how quickly I just dove into dangerous territory without even knowing it. “I’ve, uh, I’ve never really been into the whole commitment thing. Life is too short to attach strings to a specific person. And like that stupid list from last night, I can be a little…selfish. But I’m sure it works for a lot of people. I’ve never really felt like it would be a good fit for me.”

“My brother’s a Leo, so I get it. He was dating the most perfect person ever for him. Then he broke it off for no good reason.”

“None?”

“Nope. I mean, he says he had a good reason, and that it’s none of my business, but…if you love someone enough, you should be able to get through anything. And trust me, his ex, Saylor, loved him more than anything else in the world. She would’ve given up anything for him, but it still wasn’t enough to keep him.”

“That’s….” I don’t even know what to say.That sucksjust doesn’t quite seem to suffice, andyour brother sounds like an assholeprobably wouldn’t be appropriate, either.

“That’s rough,” I finish.

“It is. I think that’s probably one of the reasons relationships freak me out so much because if they couldn’t make it, how the hell could I?”

“So, youdowant to find your soulmate?” I ask, surprised how interested I am in her response, though I try not to let it show.

“I mean…yeah, I think so. Not right now, obviously, but I want to find love. I want to grow old with someone. I want to have kids one day and a dog and a white picket fence. I want someone to rely on me and to support me. I want all of that. Just….” She licks her lips, then looks out at the ocean surrounding us before repeating, “Just not right now.”

I don’t notice I’m still holding her hand until I look down to inspect her ankle again. Clearing my throat, I untangle our fingers, then brush my thumb along the curve of her foot another time.

“Does it still hurt?”

She shakes her head. “Not really. It’s a little tender, but it definitely could’ve been worse.”

“Let’s make sure you take it easy for the rest of the day, okay?”

“Okay, Dr. Gage.” Her button nose scrunches up with a light laugh before she asks, “I just realized that I don’t even know your last name or what you do for a living. Are you an actual doctor? Because that would be slightly embarrassing while also very convenient.”

“No. I work with Conner, remember?”

“Good point,” she concedes, her face threatening to blush all over again.

Giving her a break, I explain, “I handle marketing, while he does a lot of the finances for Guttenburg Enterprises.”

“Ah, yes. Now I remember hearing something about that. What’s your last name?”

“White. Yours?”

“Daniels.”

“Well,” I offer her my hand. “It’s nice to officially meet you, Nora Daniels.”

“You too, Gage White. So, have you ever swam with dolphins?”

“Actually, no. Would you think I’m less macho if I admitted that I’m excited to try it? It’s always been on my bucket list.”

“If anything, it only makes you sexier. In fact, it’s a very Cancer thing to do. We like to talk about our feelings.” She presses into my shoulder, playfully.

“Oh, no. That means you’re rubbing off on me.”

With another light laugh, she whispers, “Now if only I could get you to rub one off on me.”

“Did I just hear an innuendo come out of that pouty mouth, Nora?”

“Maybe.”

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