Page 127 of Overtime
But she asked for time, so I stay still, where the water is up to my stomach.
She kicks one foot in the air, and her sandal flies off. Then she does the same for the other one. I narrow my eyes, confused, even though it’s clear what she’s doing.
“Why the heck did you have to be so fast?” She pushes her hair forward and stretches her arms back to fiddle with the dress. “Wait, hold on. The zipper’s tricky.” Then she turns her back.
I clear my throat. “Do you need help?”
“No, I got it.” Her voice is far firmer than necessary, so I stay put and watch her struggle until she grabs the zipper tab and pushes it down just enough.
I blink hard as more skin gets exposed. Tilt my head to get a better view. I don’t need to make an effort, because she shimmies out of the dress until it pools around her feet on the sand. Then she pulls down some tight shorts, and for a second, I think she’s naked. Until I do a double take and notice that her underwear is a similar shade to her skin.
Strawberry turns around—as if suddenly remembering that the way to the lake is over here—and stands there with her hands on her hips, legs wide, breathing hard. Which draws my eyes to her chest again. And I recognize the bra. It’s the lacy one I saw hanging in her bathroom the night after I met her.
Have I died and gone to heaven?
She steps out of the circle of her dress and keeps walking. Forward. And the closer she gets, the harder my heartbeat thrums in my ears. When she makes contact with the water, she flinches, and her skin breaks into goose bumps all over. I can’t believe I’m jealous that it’s the water that put them there.
But she continues going with a determined little frown that wrinkles her nose. Her brown eyes are trained on mine, as if trying to make sure I don’t go anywhere this time. But nothing in this world could make me move away. The hard part is not reaching for her when she stops an arm’s length away.
The wet ends of her hair float around her in the water. Her bra is already growing darker as it absorbs the moisture. I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful than Strawberry as she glares up at me.
“I said I needed time, not for you to change zip codes.”
“This is a temporary change. I plan on being your neighbor for at least a few more months.”
She grunts just like I would. I press my lips tight to keep from laughing. “You also left before I could sign your book.”
“You can sign it whenever you want. Along with the other two I forgot in my car.”
Strawberry gasps. “You bought more than one?”
“My sisters want to read it too.”
“Oh.” The grumpiness starts melting from her face. “So you really mean it, then? What you said on the note?”
“Every word,” I say slowly, softly, earnestly. I don’t know what else to do. With a shaky breath, I add, “Maddie, I’mactually a chicken shit. I hate hospitals because I hate the thought of people I care about leaving me. So I try not to care. And I?—”
I interrupt myself to rub my neck, and she doesn’t flinch at the sudden spray of cold water. Like she’s turned into a statue.
“I cared about you so much and so fast, I panicked. But I knew I’d messed up when you kicked me to the curb. And when you hit your head…” I blow out all the air in my lungs. A shudder racks over my frame, and I swallow hard. “I was drowning.”
I don’t understand what’s written on her face. It’s almost blank except for the slight upward rise of her eyebrows. But she takes a tiny step forward, and I have to tilt my head down to meet her eyes.
Slowly, her hand rises from the water until it rests on my chest. Against my heart. Her skin is cold like ice against mine, and she splays her hand wide to really feel. If anything, my heart beats even faster.
“Oh.”
“What does thatohmean?”
Her attention is on her hand as she says, “Well, I just wanted some proof that this was all real.”
“It’s very real.” I close my left hand around hers, keeping it against my chest. But with my other one, I bring her closer until she’s flush against me. Low and slow, I say, “It’s very real.”
She swallows hard, and for a long moment, just stays still.
Suddenly. she circles both arms around my neck, and now there’s not a molecule of water or air between us. I run my hands down her back, past the dip of her waist, over the swell of her butt. Her lips part a little as I spread my hands and grasp her firmly. A full gasp comes out when I lift her until she’s right where I want her to be. Her legs wrap around my waist, and yeah, I can die happy now.
Except I’m missing one thing.
