I sigh heavily and rub the back of my neck.
An older woman walks up to Kat, and they begin talking.
“You should tell her how you feel, you know.”
I look up to find an older man standing next to my table, his eyes following my gaze.
“Pardon me?”
He looks down and smiles. “The woman you’re staring at so intensely. You need to tell her how you feel.”
I chuckle.
I’d probably end up minus my balls if I tried.
“Our relationship isn’t like that,” I say instead.
“No?” he says, sounding totally unconvinced. “Because I used to look at Mary that same way. Thought she wasn’t interested.”His eyes lose focus, disappearing into a memory. “It was fifty years ago today, we tied the knot.”
“Congratulations,” I say, motioning for him to take a seat.
He chuckles, pulling out a chair.
“It’s not all been plain sailing, lad. Mary’s as stubborn as they come. She was married to her career when I met her, world-renowned heart surgeon, one of the first females in her field,” he says, his pride clear. He must see something in my expression because he smiles. “But then nothing that’s worthwhile is ever easy. Remember that.”
“Thank you. But take it from me, you’ve got it all wrong. I’m her brothers’ best friend, we’re working together on a project.”
I motion to my laptop and watch as his face crumples as he openly laughs.
“I was Mary’s brother’s best friend. When he found out I had feelings for his sister, he threatened to castrate me.”
I chuckle.
I wonder what Caleb and Elijah would think?
I’m not sure I’d be as lucky as this gentleman. If they truly knew what had gone down between us, I’d already be missing my balls.
He looks at me and inclines his head. His tone softens.
“Don’t give up, son. All good things are worth fighting for, makes the experience so much better when you finally get there.” He laughs again. “Listen to me, I sound like a talking cliché.”
Before I can say anything, he gets up and leaves, making his way down the beach towards Kat.
He holds out his hand, and Kat takes it. Her smile is more relaxed now. He pulls the older woman, who is talking to Kat, into his side.
Ah, Mary.
They talk for a few minutes more, and I pray he doesn’t say anything. Our truce is tentative. The last thing we need is a couple of old romantics rocking the boat.
Kat says goodbye and begins her journey back up the beach.
I force myself to concentrate on my laptop as she draws closer.
I sense her stop and know she’s seen me. I frown at my screen, the words blurring under the scrutiny.
Part of me hopes she’ll stop and come over; the other wants her to keep going. I’m not sure of the rules, but I know I’m playing with fire, and if I’m not careful, one of us runs the risk of getting burned.
I need to keep my head down and in the game.
