Page 30 of Deep Waters
Shyly, the little girl nodded and slid her palms into his, swaying from side to side with the big man.
I caught Lucy’s gaze across the crowd as Zach gathered me into his arms. The way she followed Clay, I figured we could count fifty-one explosions for the night.
“This is what I wanted,” Zach’s deep voice in my ear, almost breathy, sent my stomach swirling, dipping and diving like I'd been flipped upside down on a rollercoaster. His palms settled on my hips, his hold close enough to show possession, but distant enough to keep the strictest of prom chaperones happy.
I let my fingers play with the tendrils of hair at the back of his neck, settling closer until my cheek rested against his shoulder. The scent of coffee clung to him, making me think of early mornings when he brewed enough for two, offering me a mug as we watched the sun rise from the harbor on the deck of my boat or his.
We swayed, the band’s crooning lyrics a fitting soundtrack. Dappled sunlight shone through the trees, the hint of salt floating on a gentle wind. Zach was warm and sure, easily keeping time with the music as we danced.
I forgot to think about the crowd. My responsibilities. My fauxmance with Simon. All of it.
We came to rest, and I realized the band had announced a break. Reluctantly, I peeled myself away from Zach, leaving our little bubble of magic. I made peace with the reality of the kids darting between blankets and townspeople chatting around us.
“Thank you for the dance,” Zach said. His eyes said so much more.
Flustered, I dropped my gaze.
Hana was already dragging Clay toward our blanket. I noted with a smile that Lucy had reappeared there as well.
“It was my pleasure,” I responded softly.
We wound our way back to our group, Zach pausing to chat as different islanders called his name. I hovered at his side, smiling softly, if vacantly as he made small talk. How the man could focus on the weather and fishing yields after our dance made me pause. Maybe it hadn’t shaken him the way it had me. Or maybe he was just better athiding it. Either way, I couldn’t stop wondering, if I looked back fast enough, would I catch him watching me?
Chapter 14 – Rae
The air between Zach and me felt fraught after our dance in the park. I put my energy into the kids. Focusing on them, their happiness kept me from obsessing about how familiar and different it was living with Zach in the aftermath of that night.
Every time I passed him a bowl at dinner, our fingers brushed. Utterly innocent, but I couldn’t stop myself from flushing. Reading stories to Hana at bedtime was absolute torture. She insisted we trade, taking turns. Night after night, I had to listen as Zach’s deep voice brought grumpy dragons and naughty penguins to life. It wasn’t fair. He was already featuring in my dreams. This new side of him didn’t help my self-restraint any.
Anya’s lip twitched into a smile as I burst into her yoga studio for her Wednesday class.
“Slow down there, friend. Yoga’s not a race. The only prize you get for being early is strategically placing your mat so you don’t have to witness whatever Gran’s yoga pant slogan of the week is.”
I winced. Gran had taken kitschy yoga pants to an all-new low. Personally, I wanted to steal the pair that saidZen AF. Most of them were hilarious. Some… not so much.
“Sorry, Anya. If you can’t tell, Ireallyneed this class today.”
Vi and Lucy slipped inside behind me, catching the last part of my statement.
“I told you the ovaries were exploding all over the place…” Lucy muttered, loud enough that it wasn’t meant as gossip. Nope. She absolutely wanted me to overhear.
“Including yours?” I asked, a flash of jealousy taking me by surprise.
Zach flirted with everyone. I thought I’d grown immune. But the thought of Lucy noticing his more romantic side made my gut clench.
“Ha-no.” She traced her abdomen. “This body was not made for babies. My ovaries are minding their own business,thankyouverymuch.”
“Don’t look at me,” Vi said. “He’s my brother.” She shuddered. “Pretty sure my ovaries retracted and rolled back up into my uterus just listening to this conversation.”
Anya tutted gently, tilting her head away from her roommate. “That’s… not how that works. That’s not howanyof that works.”
Merita Rodriguez and a handful of Anya’s other regulars slipped into the studio’s entryway. I waved to Merita and passed into the studio, claiming a mat at the front of the room. Strategically away from Gran’s usual spot.
Lucy and Vi plopped down mats next to me, blessedly not commenting further as we settled in for practice. Anya started class Gran-less, leading us through the usual cycles of noticing our breath, gentle stretching, vinyasas and balance work, before bringing us back to our mats for final relaxation.
Yoga really did work magic. I was looser. More able to let thoughts of Zach float by without obsessing.
I lingered with Anya, Lucy, and Vi as the rest of Anya’s students waved goodbye, slowly emptying the studio.
