Page 72 of Second Chance with the Half-Elf
She lowers the camera again, softer now. “I like this version of you. The one that doesn’t run from being seen.”
“You’re the only one I ever wanted to see me.”
Silence again, but it’s warm this time.
Full.
“Show me the deck,” she says suddenly, playful again.
I blink. “What?”
“I wanna photograph the railing,” she says, brushing past me. “From up top. Dramatic angles. Sexy lumber.”
“You’re impossible,” I mutter, climbing up behind her.
“You said that already.”
And God help me, I think I said it because it’s the only way to explain why I’m smiling like a fool and not bothering to stop.
Drokhaz returns just as Evie’s heading off toward the tide line, claiming “better light,” but throwing a wink over her shoulder that leaves heat crawling up the back of my neck.
He watches her go, then looks at me.
Then he smirks. “You look lighter these days.”
I raise an eyebrow, wiping my hands on my jeans. “Lighter?”
He gestures vaguely. “You used to walk around like the whole damn dock owed you money. Now you’ve got that soft-eyed look. Like someone fed you hope for breakfast.”
I grunt, but the smile’s already tugging at the corner of my mouth. I don’t bother fighting it.
“Maybe I do feel lighter,” I admit, voice low.
“Doesn’t look bad on you,” Drokhaz says, grabbing a wrench and tightening the rig on the stern post like we didn’t just say something real.
I watch him for a second, then look out toward the water.
The sun’s burning off the last of the fog, lighting up the old ship sculpture like it was never broken. Wind catches the newly hung flags. Laughter echoes from the vendor booths. Somewhere, a bell chimes.
And there’s Evie, standing on a slope of wet sand, camera at her hip, wind tugging at her braid, laughing at something Jamie shouts from behind a crab trap.
Yeah, I feel it.
Lighter.
Like maybe I’ve finally stopped carrying the version of myself that expected everything to go wrong.
I nod to Drokhaz, quieter this time.
“Feels good.”
He claps me on the shoulder, nods once.
“Don’t lose it.”
I don’t plan to.
CHAPTER 27
