I grab Josie’s arm and pull her to the side. Thankfully, we’re all the way in the back, so no one notices we’re not following along.
She jerks her hand back, fury brimming in those pretty brown eyes. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? I don’t give a damn that you’re six foot five, I’ll beat your ass if you touch me again.”
I need to focus but I’m still stuck on the fact she knows exactly how tall I am.
“You stalking me?” I smirk at the realization in her eyes.
“Wh-what?” she stammers. “Seriously, what’s wrong with you? You don’t touch a girl without her permission, ever, Garcia.”
And now I’m stuck on the way she said my last name. Why did that sound hot?
Focus.
“I know, I’m sorry. I just want you to know I have no part in whatever that piece of shit has done or said. But if he or any of this friends try that again let me know and I’ll?—”
She folds her arms defensively. “I’m not helpless. I don’t need your help.”
“I never said you were, but you don’t have to handle it alone. And I want you to know, I’m not pretending to care or doing this out of obligation. I want you to know that I’m here for you.” I smile at her.
Her gaze locks in on my lips and for a moment she softens but it’s only brief. She goes quiet then sighs. “I didn’t mean for you to witness that moment at the cliff, but you need to let it go. I’m not dead, and we’re not friends. Colors and names don’t mean shit. So do us both a favor and move on.”
“Why? What’s so bad about me, we can’t be friends?” I challenge.
She must’ve not expected that because she looks surprised. “Because…because…” she groans exasperatedly. “Why are you so insistent? If you’re trying to save me because you think I’m some broken?—”
“Because if I’m not, who will be? I just want to be here for you. That’s all.”
Her brows hike up, stupefaction written all over her face. She glances down, drops her arms, and twirls the ring around her finger. She grows quiet, and I almost break the silence until she looks up at me.
“You’re so fucking…”
“I’m sofuckingwhat?” My lips tempt to curl upward.
“Fucking frustrating. You and your goddamn insistence.” She quietly groans.
Now I can’t stop them from lifting all the way up. She glares at me, and I only smile wider. “Would it make you feel better if I told you?—”
“No, no it wouldn’t.” She sulks.
I laugh. “You didn’t let me get it out.”
“I don’t need to hear what you have to say.” She huffs. “Do you really not know how to swim, or are you messing around?” She stares at me intently, inquisitively.
I mask the shock at her question. “I really don’t know how.”
“I don’t work with adults or men because I teach the lessons at my house.”
Thank God. I didn’t want to go through with this. “I get it. You really don’t?—”
“If you pull anything weird, I’ll break your arm. And don’t test me, Garcia, because I will,” she threatens.
It’s harder this time, but still, I manage to somehow conceal my shock. Holy shit, it’s happening. Wait no. This is a bad idea. A really bad idea. I’m a mess in the water.
“You really don’t have to?—”
“You’re not getting this offer again.”
I don’t want to do this, but spending more time with her wouldn’t hurt.
