AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This afternoon, he told me to wear my bathing suit, and pack a towel, but those were the extent of his clues.
I tap my finger against my chin. “Something aquatic, obviously.” I scratch behind Edward’s ears, who’s buckled between us. “And it’s something Edward can partake in.”
“Stop trying to figure it out, Sherlock.”
My leg bounces against the seat. “I’m just so excited.”
“We still have a while until we’re there. Tell me about dance class last night. How did it go?”
I grin. “It was so much fun. The music was lively, and Gianna is super talented. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to move my body like her, but I think I held my own.”
“Who did you end up getting partnered with?”
“This adorable old man. His name is Freddie. He said he’s learning how to dance because his wife always loved to dance, and now that she’s gone, he wants to feel close to her.” I press my palm to my chest. “I wanted to cry right there in the middle of the dance studio.”
Bryce smiles. “It’s like you two were meant to be paired up. You’re there for your mom, and he’s there for his wife.”
“He can’t keep up with all of the moves, which kind of stinks for me because I really want to go as fast as Gianna is teaching us.” I scrunch my nose. “I hate saying it, but I wish I had been partnered up with someone else. But he’s the cutest thing, and I adore him.”
“Maybe Gianna will let you switch.”
My head falls back against the headrest. “I could never ask her to switch. I don’t want to break Freddie’s heart, and—” Bryce pulls into a parking lot next to a big sign that reads Jet Ski Rentals, and I squeal. “Oh, my God! This is going to be so much fun.”
Bryce chuckles. “Surprise. You’ll get to cross off another thing on your bucket list.”
I hop out of the truck, and follow Bryce into the hut on the beach where I listen to the instructor’s directions, and fill out a form to show that I understand everything I’ve been taught.
“How come you’re not filling out the paperwork?” I wave my clipboard in front of Bryce. “Have you done this before?”
He shifts his weight from one leg to the other, using his cane for support. “I, uh, I’m not riding with you.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not supposed to do things that cause an impact on my spine. Bungee jumping, sky diving, roller coasters. There are some activities that aren’t safe for me.”
“Oh.” I frown, disappointment settling into the pit of my stomach.
“This day is for you, Charly. Enjoy it.” Bryce holds up his phone. “Besides, you’ll need someone to take pictures, right? Edward and I will cheer you on from the sidelines.”
This man.
So selfless, so thoughtful. I can’t imagine Greg taking me to do something while he just sat and watched.
I fling my arms around Bryce, and bury my face in his chest, inhaling a lungful of his sweet and spicy scent. “I appreciate you more than I can ever express.”
He plants a kiss on the top of my head. “Ditto. Now go have fun.”
And that I do. I spend the next thirty minutes cutting across the water like a bullet. The speed is exhilarating as water sprays against me, the wind whipping through my hair. I shriek like a kid, racing back and forth. I wave at Bryce each time I pass the area where he’s playing fetch with Edward, and laugh when Edward barks and wags his tail, running into the water as if he can catch me.
After my time is up, Bryce takes me to a sandbar where we let Edward run around and romp in the water before we head back to the inn. The scared and battered dog is sweet and loveable. All he needed was someone to love him, and treat him right. Someone he can trust. He reminds me a lot of Bryce in that regard.
No longer is Bryce closed-off and grumpy, the brooding man I met on my first day here. Now, he smiles and laughs. He’s willing to have important conversations with me. He doesn’t brush me off, or make excuses for anything. He’s real, and compassionate, and confident in his skin. And he listens. God, does he listen, to even the things I don’t say—I don’t have to say them, because he gets me.
The more time we spend together, the more I realize how wrong Greg was for me.
July 10th
Dear Mom,
