Libby set down the silverware to clasp her hands on her lap. He could almost feel her gathering her courage.
“I was thinking we could leave,” she said, with only the slightest tremble in her voice. “Right now. You and me.”
Jefferson was already on the edge of his seat, but those words pulled the chair right out from under him.
Chapter 23
lovelillibetPeople talk about swimming as resistance training, but I believe submerging yourself in water is about acceptance. Of our bodies, of the need to slow down, of our amniotic past. That’s why I prefer to do it naked, with nothing between my skin and a state of flow. Instead of using sizeist language like “skinny dipping,” think of it as a fullness immersion. And don’t forget to bring a friend!
Love, Lillibet
Image: Two sets of footprints stretch across a beach in black-and-white.
#skinsuit #ohhhhnaturel #passthesoap #couplesoup
He could always say no. Part of Libby even wanted him to be the responsible one.No, I won’t follow you off this ledge.He was probably trying to think of a nice way to turn her down. She decided to offer him an out.
“Unless you’d rather not?”
He looked at Hildy’s uncle, wreathed in leis and shaking his moneymaker for all it was worth. “The show goes on for a while?”
“Hours.”
Jefferson turned that quiet, knowing gaze on her. “Let’s go, girl from the beach.”
Her heart tried to launch itself into orbit. “Libby is fine.”
“Then I’ll be Jefferson.”
“Great.” It was all she wanted. A few stolen hours to be themselves, nothing fake getting in the way.
Except the part where she was pretending to pretend to be her real self, instead of admitting the truth. That was suboptimal. If Libby wasn’t careful, she’d tie herself in so many knots, it would be impossible to untangle. But in the meantime, she’d have this one evening with Jefferson.
For a moment she’d wavered, torn between saying nothing and spilling the whole thing. This was the middle road. Not totally brave, but not completely dishonest, either. If Jean complained, Libby would point out that it was partially her fault, for telling her to get real.
What do I really want? This.
They slipped out a side door and down the path to the parking lot. It wasn’t until they reached the car that Libby realized the flaw in her plan. This was why she never took bold spontaneous action. What was the point of going for broke if you sucked at logistics?
“Problem?” Jefferson asked.
“I don’t have the keys.”
He nodded.
“It would be a jerk move to strand them here anyway.”
“Too far to walk,” he agreed.
She opened her mouth to suggest the bus, before realizing that would be the least Lillibet thing she’d said yet.
Jefferson pulled out his phone, tapping the screen with one finger. “Six minutes.” He looked up at her. “Until our ride gets here.”
“You called us a car?” It felt almost as heroic as carrying her through a blizzard.
“I have a few apps. Don’t tell Hildy.”
The sound of drumming drifted down the hill. Libby’s heartkept time with the pounding beat. What if someone came looking? She knew herself well enough to imagine her response.Why are we out here in the dark? Because I… lost a contact. Jefferson was helping me. And then she’d squint up one eye to sell it, and Jefferson would think she was a freak.
