AllFreeNovel
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“I’m thinking about enjoying my freedom tonight and jumping in the lake for a night swim,” I say, the idea coming to me suddenly. “Wanna join me?”
Reid rubs at the stubble on his face for a minute, and I wonder if he’s going to say no.
Then he nods, his lips tilting up at the sides. “Actually, yeah. Gimme a second to change and I’ll join you.”
A bubble of joy begins to swell in my chest, and I nod as Reid turns, heading out the door, his feet thudding on the deck outside before disappearing as he steps down to the grass. I sprint into action, dashing into my bedroom and digging around through the clean clothes that are still in a hamper in the corner, next to my bed that’s still on the floor. It would be nice if I could get all my shit finally set up and furniture in this place so it doesn’t look like a bachelor pad, but that will come in time, I’m sure. I just have to be patient.
Eventually, I find my navy blue swimsuit, the only two piece I own that makes me still feel sexy even with the stretch marks that never really faded after Junie was born. I wear them like a badge of honor—they are a mark that at one point, my body did the hard work to make space to protect my baby—but every so often, I can’t help but wish it were still the cute thing it was pre-pregnancy.
Sighing, I aggressively shove all those thoughts into a box in my mind and seal it tight. There’s no room for any of that tonight.
Once I’ve changed, I pop into the bathroom and take a look at the light layer of makeup I’ve had on all day, then do a little sprucing, wiping away the mascara that has smudged slightly before swiping on more and adding a dab of concealer over afew red spots around my temples. Then I grab my towel and my phone and head out to the dock.
I stand on the edge, waiting for Reid to join me, thrilling when I hear the subtle squeak of his screen door in the distance and a few beats later feel his footsteps on the dock as he comes up behind me. Turning to say hello, I about choke on my tongue when I see him, my eyes traveling the length of him as he strides my way.
Then I spin back around, wishing I wasn’t so damn obvious. I’ve already seen Reid without his shirt, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less delicious the second time around.
“I thought you’d already be in the water,” he says, dropping his towel on top of mine.
“I’m always a bit scared to jump in by myself,” I share honestly. I glance back at him. “At night, I mean. I know it’s kind of ridiculous.”
“Maybe a little,” he teases, bumping me gently with his shoulder as he steps up to the edge next to me. “But really, who knows what’s in there? All kinds of creepy things. Could be like…the Loch Ness monster or something.”
I snort and roll my eyes. “Now who’s being ridiculous?” I ask, bumping him back, the skin of his bicep soft and warm as I graze lightly against him.
“Hey, I’m just trying to be good company,” he replies, shrugging his shoulders. “You’rethe one who’s afraid to jump in.”
At that, I giggle, enjoying this round of flirty banter.
“Is that why you invited me?” Reid asks. “Because you wouldn’t be able to jump in if you were alone?”
I shake my head. “Nah. I just like seeing you without your shirt on.”
Reid raises his eyebrows, surprise rippling through his expression at my bold comment, but before he can say anythingin response, I let out a cackle and jump into the water, one hand plugging my nose and my eyes scrunched tight.
The cool water envelopes me, the chill providing relief to my warm skin. I’m unsure how deep this part of the lake is, but it’s enough that I don’t feel even a hint that the bottom is near as I sink low into the cool darkness then kick myself up to the surface. When I emerge, I wipe the water from my face and look to Reid, who is still standing at the edge of the dock, a smirk on his face.
“You coming?”
He chuckles. “Just wanted to make sure you scared off Nessie before I join you.”
My laughter turns into a squeal as he launches off the dock and plunges in just a few feet away from me, water splashing me. When he emerges from below, he tosses his hair out of his face and grins.
“God, this feels amazing,” he says, rotating so he’s floating on his back. “I feel like I need to do this every night.”
I follow suit, and then we’re both staring at the sky, at the stars just beyond the tree line.
“Yeah, it’s pretty dreamy.”
We drift like that for a while, not saying anything, each of us just enjoying the sensation of weightless buoyancy.
“I’ve missed being able to see the stars like this,” I tell him, my memory taking me briefly back to my childhood and teen years when I spent countless nights lying out on the dock next to Bellamy, staring at the sky. “In LA, there was too much light pollution. You’d be lucky to seeanythingin the sky other than smog.”
Reid chuckles. “That’s what I hear.”
I turn, glancing his way. “Have you never been to LA?”
“Nah. I’ve done plenty of traveling to big cities, and they’re fun, but not for me. I’m a small-town boy through and through.” He pauses. “Even if I don’t know everyone’s names.”
