The Memory of You by Jamie Beck

Author:Jamie Beck [Beck, Jamie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Mine too. Steffi smiled to herself as she replayed Ryan’s words a third time. She’d earned his forgiveness in these few weeks. She should be grateful for that and not push. But those two words had offered a hairline crack of hope, and like a field mouse, she’d find a way to squeeze through it for a chance to snuggle up to the warmth of Ryan Quinn.

She went above deck and handed him his plate, which he’d piled high with chicken, then sat beside him. Close, but not touching, although it took a lot of concentration not to let her knee wander to her left. She tormented herself with the idea of an “accidentally on purpose” graze, and then by wondering if he would flinch, move over, or allow their knees extended contact.

Her gaze locked on that inch between their thighs, her heart pounding madly, desperately, egging her to move her leg. She could blame it on the rocking of the boat if he tensed. But he might let it linger . . . he might be remembering . . .

“Aren’t you hungry?” he asked, gesturing to the chicken breast she’d yet to touch.

Molly’s fried chicken had been Steffi’s favorite for years, but sexual frustration filled her stomach now, killing her appetite. Why had she ever given up the right to hold his hand, sit on his lap, and enjoy his kisses? He’d loved her, but she’d run from him without even knowing what she hoped to find.

“Where are the cookies?” Emmy asked.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” Ryan answered, licking the salty grease from his fingers. Steffi tore her gaze from his mouth. “Cookies come after we swim.”

Emmy glanced over the edge of the small craft and grimaced. “Are there jellyfish?”

“Not usually.” Ryan tipped his head, studying his daughter.

“What about other fish?” Lisa asked.

“Of course there are other fish in the sea.” He smiled at the ancient idiom, but Steffi knew it had no real meaning for young girls. She’d also come to doubt the truth of that idea, too. “But they won’t bite.”

“How do you know?” Emmy asked.

“Because you’re bigger than most of them, and I’ve done this a million times without ever getting hurt.” He sighed, signaling that he’d reached the limit of his patience.

“The first time your dad brought me out on this boat, I was scared to swim, too. I mean, we are far from the shore, and you can’t see what’s down there. But then I decided I wouldn’t let fear make me miss out on something fun.” Steffi stood and dumped her plate in the trash. Without waiting for the others, she stripped out of her shorts and T-shirt, clambered to the stern’s ledge, and dived into the water, shouting, “Fish bait!”

When she broke through the surface, she gasped. The chill made it feel as if every cubic inch of water in the inlet was crushing her chest. She sucked at the air to catch her breath.

“Holy cow,” she sputtered. “It’s freezing!”

Three sets of eyes stared at her from over the port-side railing.

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