“You know that he lied to you,right?”
Lily shrugged. “Yes, but by that point it wasn’t about money. It was about gaining my freedomagain.”
Connie cleared her throat. “I tried to get her to sue him, but I soon realized she had so much more to gain by leaving him. A lawsuit would’ve only tied them together in a legal battle. That was something she didn’t need. She didn’t need any ties tothatman.”
“In case you haven’t guessed, Connie didn’t like him very much.” Lily said with aneyeroll.
He loved her playful side and appreciated her trying to keep the mood light despite how hard it must be for her to talk aboutthepast.
Connie tugged Allen down a fork in the path. “I’m going to go show him thelookout.”
They disappeared up the hill and around the sand dunes before Lily mumbled, “You mean themakeout.”
Josh dropped his shoes to the ground along with Lily’s and they walked to the edge of the water. “It’sbeautifulhere.”
“It is,” Lilywhispered.
He released her hand and tucked her hair behind her shoulders to see her face. “You’re beautiful, too.” Her lips parted slightly, and she took in a quick breath. He loved the way he affected her and how she affected him with the slightest of touches. “I admire you. Even after all the things that man did to you, you don’t seem to hold any resentment. I must confess, though. The fact that man shattered your confidence in your talent makes me want to punch hislightsout.”
She smiled. “Nicest thing a guy has ever saidtome.”
He brushed her soft cheek with his thumb, longing for some connection with her. To kiss her. To hold her tight and make all her troubles go away. “I want to kiss you. More than I’ve ever wanted to kiss anyone inmylife.”
She placed her hands on his waist and stepped closer, looking upathim.
“I’m not going to,though.”
She went to move away, but hekepthold.
“I won’t kiss you because he is still here.” Josh place a finger over her heart. “Your ex. He still has a holdonyou.”
She shook her head but didn’tprotest.
“You know it’s true. I might not have your gift for reading people, but I can tell he’s the reason you can’t let yourself paint or sketch the way you used to. He stole that from you, and I want you to get it back. To getyourselfback.”
She closed her eyes and leaned into his palm. “That’s what I want, too. To find myself again. You’re right. As much as I don’t want to admit it, he’s still here, still haunting me. He made me feel like I’d lost everything. That I’d never be able to create a piece of art anyone would want again. But I’m tired of giving him that power. I’m going to finish that sketch for you.” She pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth, and he thought he’d go insane. The hint of pressure stole his breath and he rethought his words, but before he could react she pulled free and walked away in themoonlight.
