Page 30 of Forbidden Hearts
“So, I should warn you that the last time I did this, I threw the pole into the water because I wasn’t holding it tightly enough.”
“Don’t do that this time.”
Phoebe side-eyes me. “I wasn’t trying to that time either.”
“Okay,” I say, moving on. “We won’t be casting until later.”
“Casting?” she asks.
“Putting the hook in the water to catch the fish.”
“That seems like a stupid way to say put the line in the water.”
I look heavenward, confused how she doesn’t even know what casting is. “I’ll let the fishing commission know you don’t like their terms.”
Her eyes widen. “Is there such a thing? Because I’d like to discuss the options for gear. No one wants to wear those jumpsuit things that your brother and sister have on. They’re really freaking ugly.”
“They also keep you dry when you’re in the middle of the stream.”
“Why would someone even want to be in the water in the first place? Isn’t it freaking freezing?”
This stream does warm up by the end of the winter, but it feeds off the mountain, so warm is more subjective.
“The waders help.”
“And they keep you dry and warm?”
“Do you want to learn to fish or talk about waders?”
“You brought it up!” She huffs. “If the pole goes in—accidentally—you can just walk out there and get it?”
I grumble. “We’re not wearing waders, and I don’t have a pair with me, so let’s just focus on not throwing the pole into the water.”
Her shoulders square, and she nods. “Got it. No throwing the pole. Okay, so I hold it gently but firmly?”
“Yes.”
“That makes no sense, you know that, right?”
The frustration in her voice makes me smile. “Sure, but it’s how you do it. Then you pull the rod back so the hook is behind you and kind of toward your right.”
She pulls the rod back way too fast and snags the hook on a branch. “I caught something!”
I fight back my laugh. “Yeah, the tree.”
Her gaze moves to the branch. “If I were vegan, it would be a win.”
“There’s that. Since we’re not fishing for oak trees, and you know, we’re wantingfish. Not a win.” I move to the branch and unhook her.
Phoebe sighs and goes to hand me the pole. “I’m totally helpless.”
“You’re not helpless, you just need to relax. Here.” I move behind her, wrap my arms around her, and cover her hands with my own. “Adjust your grip. Perfect. Now, when you pull it back, take it to the side.”
I tell myself to let her go, to find another way to instruct her, but I can’t move.
Phoebe looks up at me from the corner of her eye. “Like this?”
“Yes, just like this.”
