Page 59 of Below the Far Horizon

She seemed to appreciate his caring concern. He didn’t want her to get lost in all of the sadness and tragedy that circled around when the three of them got together. Even though they’d been friends long after the tragedy had occurred, it seemed to get bigger over the years. Sitting like a mountain between them.

He knew he thought about it more than once, even though he hadn’t been directly involved. He also knew that even in high school, it had bothered Grace, and she talked to him about it more than once.

“I can’t believe that you remember the things I said to you way back when.”

“That would be something that would be hard for anyone to get over. But yeah. I definitely remember. You always got sad around the time of the anniversary. And you didn’t enjoy going on the water like you did before.”

“It was attached to a lot of bad memories. But I did have a good time kayaking with you and our parents. I’d really like to do that again.”

“Maybe we can get married on water?” Maybe that was a bad idea, but surely if they made a point of attaching good memories to the water, it would overcome the bad memories.

“As long as there’s no storm. Although there was a storm while we were kayaking, I really enjoyed it. Although…you didn’t kiss me back?” She looked up at him, as though finally asking why.

He didn’t have a problem answering her. He remembered exactly why. “It felt like you were saying goodbye. I didn’t want to participate in that. I didn’t want to admit that it could have been the end.”

“Why did you think it was goodbye?”

“You had just said that we weren’t a couple, didn’t have a relationship, and when we got in the kayak, you didn’t want to talk about it. So that was where I thought you were. And… I guess I just thought that you were sealing it with a kiss, as crazy as that sounds.” Looking back, he realized that that probably was a ridiculous idea on his part. But it was the truth. It was exactly how he felt.

“I’m sorry. I can see how you would feel that way, but no. It was…me not being able to resist you, I guess.”

“I like the idea that you find me irresistible. I kind of feel like we ought to find a spot where you can show me exactly how irresistible I am.”

Despite the happy celebration of the day, he was tired of all the people hanging around. He wanted to have Grace by himself. So he could kiss her whenever he wanted to and hold her in his arms without making the people around him uncomfortable.

“I think that’s a really good idea, but I think our parents would be a little bit upset if we disappeared on their wedding day. We probably ought to at least make a bit of an effort to mingle.”

He could see in her eyes that she was still thinking about Claire too. He figured, once they got out of here, she’d want to go see her friend.

“All right. You’re right, as usual. Still,” he said, then he leaned down and put his lips on her temple. He couldn’t resist, but that would have to do until later when there were not quite as many people around.

Hopefully, they would have a lifetime of laters.