Page 42 of Found By You
Maybe it was because I was so attracted to her. Maybe it was because I was worried about her. Maybe it was because I wanted her with me. Whatever it was, I couldn’t say no to her. “All right, let’s go.”
We went out onto the deck and then walked down to the dock. The wooden steps creaked quietly beneath our feet as we descended toward the water. The night had grown cooler, there was a breeze coming off the lake.
The canoe was waiting just ahead. There was actually another set of oars, so I pulled them from the little boathouse next to the dock. “We’ll have to practice rowing together, but I think you’ll like it.” I was happy that she was coming. It would be fun to share this with someone.
When we got in, she let out a light laugh. “I’ve never done this before. Well, that’s not true. Maybe I have done this before, but I don’t remember it.”
The canoe wobbled as we settled into position, the water lapping gently against its sides. The only sounds were our breathing, the gentle splash of water against the hull, and the occasional call of a night bird.
At first it was clunky, trying to get her to match my rowing, but then it was easy. We started rowing in tandem. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.
The water beneath us was dark, yet somehow comforting.
Out here, in the middle of the lake with Sky, all the complications of the day—Rose, the party, my birthday—seemed to fade away.
Chapter 20
Sky
About halfway around the lake, I had to slump down in the canoe, exhaustion overtaking me. I huffed in frustration.
McCrae stopped rowing and grabbed my paddles, pulling them into the boat. “Just relax, Sky.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“You’re fine. I’m just going to finish getting us back, and then we’ll be good.”
I tilted my head back, looking up at the moonlight. It was so beautiful and peaceful. “I love it out here.”
He let out a light scoff, but started rowing again. “It is nice out here. This is a good place to clear my head.”
I watched him row, his strong arms moving with practiced precision. Then his eyes met mine, and there was palpable chemistry between us.
I couldn’t help but ask, “Do you still love Rose?”
He shook his head. “No.”
I watched him carefully. “Are you sure?”
He quit rowing for a second and ran a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t sure until tonight, but after seeing her and havingmy eyes opened to her fakeness, I can definitely say that we’re done.”
I didn’t know if I believed him or not, so I asked, “What did you like about her for all these years?”
He hesitated, then grunted and kept rowing. The oars cut through the water with soft splashes. “Hey, maybe you were a therapist in your last life.”
It was funny to me that he called it my “last life,” even though it had technically only been four days ago. “Maybe.”
After a minute or two of silent thought, he said, “I grew up with Rose. I mean, she was into cheerleading and theater and all of that stuff, and she always talked about being on the big screen or having a part in a play in New York City. But I guess I never really believed her. I just … I don’t know, I guess I was stupid and naive.”
I couldn’t stop myself from being jealous again. They’d grown up together. She would always be that girl for him. That thought left me spiraling.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” McCrae asked.
I almost didn’t tell him, but I couldn’t stop myself. “I was just thinking that it’s hard to compete with the girl you grew up with.”
He let out a light laugh. “No. Not really.”
“Yes. Plus, I don’t know who I am.”
