Kennedy’s watching me, giving me the chance to answer without words. I really, really don’t want to do that, but his proximity is taking up too much of my focus to add speaking on top.
I nod. Fishing isn’t something I do constantly, but it’s relaxing in the summer to sit by the water and see what I can catch. I eat fish, even if I don’t love the taste that much, but I know some of the others really like it, and I’m always happy to share around whatever I walk away with.
Especially with Lynx.
“Can you bring me with you next time?” he asks. “I like it.”
I duck my head to try and hide my thoughts, but I can still feel his eyes on me. The lingering, searching gaze is heated against my skin, and when I finally give in and meet it, he’s closer than I remember.
My gut is a twisted pot of nerves as I force myself to keep looking. “S-sure.”
“Thanks.” His answering smile is everything. So swift and effortless, like the sun breaking free of heavy storm clouds and reminding you of how bright the world is.
“Do you ever do this with anyone else?”
No.
Wilde has come a couple of times, and Rooney joins me occasionally, but those are all sporadic moments. Most of the time, it’s me and the sky and the river stretching off in both directions.
Alone.
“I think I’ve got another one!” Kennedy excitedly starts reeling the fish in, his arm rubbing torturously against mine. Bare skin on skin.
He pulls the fish free, and it’s a good-sized one. I immediately open the cooler while he removes the hook, and then we stash it away with the others.
I bring my line back in and stand.
“Wait, that’s it?”
As much as I’d love to stay out here for longer and fish the river dry, we have what we need. I pick up the cooler to show himwe’re done, and Kennedy immediately takes my fishing rod from me and rests them over his shoulder.
We start back down the forest path, Kennedy a few steps behind me.
“We could go swimming again?” he suggests.
After seeing him naked yesterday and nearly giving myself away in front of him? No way. I shake my head.
“What about … exploring some more? You could show me around?”
It’s getting late, and we’ve already had a long day of work. Iwantto show him around, but I’m always worried about spending too much time with him. The more I do, the deeper I fall for his voice and his energy and his big heart. And the deeper I fall, the less I trust myself not to act on those feelings.
“What about getting a drink at the Cutty? Or … your place! I still haven’t seen it.”
Before he can push that thought any more, I turn to face him. Kennedy pauses, rocking back on his heels, free hand tucked into one of his pockets as his gaze sweeps over me.
“That could be fun … right?”
“No.” I couldn’t think of anything less fun than Kennedy seeing my home.
“Okay, umm … I’m open to ideas. We can do anything.”
Anything … His eyes are hesitant as they meet mine, and a smile trembles his mustache.
“If you wanna hang out, that is.” He pokes me in the shoulder. “Unless you’re sick of me already.”
I bat his finger away and tap the cooler. “Dinner.”
He lights up, and I tell my excitement to ignore it. “Yeah? You’ll stay for dinner? That’s awesome. Hudson and Hart will be nice, I promise. And I can cook, but …” He squints at the cooler. “I don’t know how to prep the fish.”
