October 24
Well, I did it—dove off the cliff into my dream. If you don’t hear from me again, I crashed on the rocks. But the dive arced with graceful abandonment, performance art at its bravest and most sacrificial. I did this for myself. But I did it for my friend, too.
Aly at www.The-Art-Of-My-Life.blogspot.com
Sixty seconds ago Cal had been hugging Aly, thanking her for possibly the worst business decision she’d ever make. Then, she went soft in his arms, flowing into his contours like a summer tide.
Every centimeter of him wanted her.
He lifted his mouth from where it pressed against her ear, hungry to find her lips.
Porch light picked up pin pricks of fear in her eyes.
He stepped back, his hands gripping her biceps. Fifty-eight degree air sliced between them. “Sorry.” He looked at the hibiscus bush beside her front door and back at Aly. “I didn’t mean to freak you out. Just to thank you.” He slid his hands down the arms of her sweater until they connected with her fingers. He squeezed and let go.
“I’m not freaked out.”
He shot her a wry grin. “Notify your face.” He backed down the walk. “Good night, Al. See you when you get off from the bank tomorrow.” He waved and climbed into the Jeep.
He was all kind of stupid. He’d bulldozed her into rescuing his business, and then he almost scared her into changing her mind.
The Jeep’s engine rumbled to life, and Aly stepped into her condo.
The car motored down Aly’s street. He needed to get the business rolling before he thought about rebuilding trust with Aly, getting physical with her. She was fragile, and he couldn’t risk losing her all together by misstepping like he’d nearly done tonight.
He careened onto Riverside Drive, too fast. He jerked back into his lane and slowed. For the hundredth time he regretted offering up his embarrassingly long-lived virginity on Evie’s altar. No doubt, Aly feared he’d hurt her again. He angled into a parking space at the marina.
A lot of guys, maybe most, could enjoy random sex, but he’d been wired for monogamy. After a while, sex with Evie felt empty. And he hadn’t counted on the guilt. Or Evie’s stalking.
The dock gate clanged shut behind him.
Fish stepped off Evie’s boat and moved toward him, head down, hands buried in the pockets of his jeans. He frowned when he saw Cal.
“I’d stay away from Evie unless you’ve got a whole lot of energy to burn on a drama junkie.”
Fish stopped. “I can take care of myself.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Don’t do me any more favors.”
Cal reached a hand toward Fish. “Come on, forgive me. This is ridiculous. I miss you.”
Fish narrowed his eyes. “What part of done don’t you understand?”
“Geez, Fish, lighten up.”
“Bite me.”
“Hard ass.” Cal strode toward the Escape. Even Fish’s grudge-holding couldn’t squash the gratitude for a second chance at the business expanding his chest.
On board he grabbed an art pad, slid into his desk, and sketched a picture of a man looking skyward toward a break in the clouds. Light, picking up dust motes in the air, spilled onto the man’s face, shoulders, and arms that lifted slightly from his sides. A dark shadow slashed from the figure’s rear right pocket up and across his back and down his leg.
He hated taking Aly’s money. It didn’t matter that she’d planned on giving it away. It didn’t matter that sixty-two thousand dollars bought Aly full partnership. He hated needing it so desperately.
He shook off the thought. For the first time since he’d known her, she was unattached. And she’d handed him a second chance. This time he’d win.