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 having my 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.”
He grunted. “Why don’t we just focus on what I’ve known about you the last four days.” He grinned. “You’re a good kisser.”
I laughed. “So are you.”
The air fell flat between us.
“If I just knew if I should be kissing you or not.”
“Yeah, I don’t want to cross any boundaries,” McCrae agreed. He scrunched up his face. “Plus, maybe you won’t even want to kiss me when you remember who you are.”
I snorted. “Doubtful. I mean, if I’m single I think I will. You’re kind of gorgeous and—”
He cut me off. “I’m gorgeous?” A huge smile on his face.
Now I was embarrassed. I let out an awkward laugh. “Never mind.”
He laughed harder.
I kicked his foot. “Stop. I didn’t say that, right?”
“Oh no, I think you said exactly that, and I liked it. You think I’m handsome; you think I’m attractive.”
I giggled a little, not denying it.
We got back to the house, and he pulled up to the little dock. He jumped out, tied down the boat, and then offered his hand to help me hop off.
“Thanks for letting me go,” I said quietly.
For a second, neither of us moved, and then he squeezed my hand gently. “We aren’t kissing again. Remember that?”
I laughed and pulled my hand back, moving away from him, up the dock and toward the house. “Right? You’re not kissing me like you already did.”
When we stepped inside the house, it was a little past one-thirty in the morning.
“Oh gosh, it’s late,” I said.
He shrugged. “I’d better go to bed. I mean, I do have work tomorrow.”
I’d almost forgotten about that. “Right. Can I come to work with you?”
He looked confused, and then he shook his head. “Nope. In fact, you have an appointment with the doctor in the morning. We’re going to go to that, have your head checked out, and then, while I do my regular work, you can hang out with Kayla for the day, if you don’t mind doing that.”
I was happy to hang out with Kayla. “That sounds perfect.” Then I frowned. “When do you think I’m going to remember stuff?”
He shrugged and then frowned. “I don’t know.”
We stood there quietly, and I became keenly aware of how close he was. I wanted to take his hand. I wanted to wrap my arms around him.
As if he could tell what I was thinking, he opened his arms.
I moved into them, relishing the warmth of him against me. “I’m scared,” I said, feeling vulnerable.
He rubbed my back. “Don’t worry.”
I sighed and pulled back. “But, I’m also scared to think about what I will remember.”
He pulled back and searched my face. “I have to admit, I’m a little afraid of that too.”