Page 34 of Fa-La La-La Land
“Not that I prefer.” I’ve hurt his feelings, but I’m not sure how. “It’s an observation.”
Rhys puts more distance between us so we’re not within reach of each other, then runs a hand through his hair and laughs. “I thought we were headed for an underwater kiss here, not an interrogation.”
I don’t have time to say anything else before he dips under the water and swims away, leaving me wondering if I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life. Not only because I didn’t kiss him, but because I’ve pushed him to a place of vulnerability where I’m not willing to go. If I were, I would have told him to kiss me when I had the chance.
My 30 Before 30 List is supposed to be about embracingopportunities before they disappear. It’s about living life as though today might be my last. It’s about living the life in my twenties neither of my parents had the chance to live.
And I let fear get in the way of crossing at least two items off it. Not only fear of how kissing would affect our working relationship but also fear of falling for him.
Kissing doesn’t have to mean anything, and falling for someone is a choice.
Rhys plants his hands on the edge and lifts himself with a controlled grace that only makes me feel worse. Every muscle in his back and arms flexes, taunting me. Like he wants me to see it. Like this is his payback.
It works.
But physical attraction isn’t reason enough to apologize for pushing him to share more than he’s ready to. Whether we ever kiss, Rhys has to let me in if I’m going to make his socials feel authentic.
I follow his lead and get out of the pool, but I take the steps instead. By the time I reach the patio, he’s grabbed towels from the storage bench. He tosses one to me, which I barely catch.
“Reckon we ought to do some work,” he says without looking at me. “What pictures do you want first?”
“Right.” I wrap the towel around my shoulders and look over the backyard, switching to work mode. “How about we start out easy with some shots by the pool? Then maybe later today I could get some video of you with your parents. Would they mind being on camera? I think people seeing you interact with them will go a long way.”
Rhys answers with a sharp nod. “Where do you want me to stand?”
I consider the options as I walk to the table to retrieve my wrap and tie it around my waist. “The sun’s right above us. There’s really no good light.”
I notice a giant, blow-up alligator in the storage bench and point to it as I face him again. “Would you mind getting back in the pool? Let me get a shot of you lying on the floaty with your smoothie. Something playful…” I donotuse the word silly. “But also…” I don’t want to say the word after what almost happened between us in the pool, but I can’t find another way to say what I want. “Sexy.”
Rhys gives me a look that’s somewhere betweenYou think I’m sexy?andYou missed your chance. Or maybe I’m interpreting my own feelings.
Finally, he shrugs and takes off his towel, running a hand across his abs, which seems really unnecessary when I already regret not kissing him.
“You’ll have to hand me the smoothie.”
I nod and pick it up while he grabs the long green alligator float, tosses it in the pool, then dives in behind it. After climbing onto the floaty with the agility of a cat, he paddles to the side of the pool, where I’m waiting with his smoothie, trying not to drool. And it’s not the smoothie that’s made my mouth water. It’s nowhere near as delicious as watching Rhys’s muscles at work when he relaxes into his body.
He grabs the edge of the pool near my feet, then reaches for the smoothie with his other hand. I lean down to hand it to him, but when he can’t quite reach, I lean further. As he grabs the smoothie, one—or maybe both—of us loses our balance. He tips off his alligator, and I fall into the pool on top of him.
We both go under. I try to pop up, but the floaty is over my head, and I panic. I can’t get my head all the way above water or reach the side of the pool.
Suddenly, I feel an arm around my waist, pulling me out. Part of my brain knows it’s Rhys, but the panicked part flails, afraid we’ll both sink. Time stops until I hear his voice. “Stella, stopfighting!”
My fingers graze concrete, and I realize Rhys has pulled me to the side. He helps place my hand on the ledge and lifts me high enough that my head is above water.
He pops up next to me, worry filling his face. “Are you okay?”
I take a staggered, grateful breath and nod, trying not to cry. “It was a silly accident. I don’t know why I panicked.”
With one hand, he rubs my lower back while holding the ledge. “No. It’s not your fault. I should have been more careful. I’m sorry.”
I clutch the side as tightly as possible before letting go with one hand to slowly turn and face Rhys. He’s tall enough to reach the bottom on tiptoe and keep his head above water. His eyes are wide with concern and care.
There’s only one way I can think of to thank him.
I wrap my arm around his neck—possibly a little too tight—and do what I should have already done. I kiss him.
Softly at first. But then he wraps his arm around my waist, and I kiss him harder. Like my life depended on it. Like I actually was drowning and need his mouth on mine to revive me.
