Page 35 of Kayak Girl

“Do zebra finches have partners?” he asked, his voice soft, tentative.

I felt a blush warm my cheeks, my heart pounded as I searched his eyes, trying to decipher the meaning behind his words. He stared back at me, his gray eyes almost looking regretful. I watched his eyes drop to my lips and bounce back to my eyes.

“Gray,” I whispered.

He leaned down towards me. The motion brushed my hood back as he brought his head next to mine. I could barely breathe.

“Elle, I’d like to kiss you right now,” he whispered into my hair.

I shuddered at the feel of his warm breath. He must have taken that as a no because he pulled back to look at me with a question in his eyes. I didn’t have the patience to explain myself, so I gathered the fabric from his shirt into my hands and tugged him down toward my lips. His lazy smile made me want to kiss him even more.

His lips met mine with a featherlight touch before he pulled back and I instinctively followed his retreat wanting more. With a tenderness that seemed at odds with the strength in his hands, he guided us further into the embrace of the awning’s shelter. His fingers threaded through my hair.

“Your green eyes are mesmerizing,” he said, his voice a soft murmur that seemed to vibrate through me. “I could lose myself in them for hours.” The candor in his tone, the depth of emotion in his gaze, it all served to anchor me to the spot, to him.

His eyes, those clear windows to his steadfast heart, sought mine, asking silent questions, seeking permission I found I was all too willing to give. A small nod, an unspoken agreement, and the space between us dwindled to nothing. His lips hovered just a breath away from mine. My heart fluttered, anticipation coiling tight within, I gasped, and it seemed to draw him even closer.

As Gray’s lips met mine once more, I felt myself melt into the moment. One of his arms wrapped around me pressing me securely to himself. My lips softened against his, each kiss a lingering promise, a tender exploration of the feelings that had been quietly growing between us. His attention and adoration seemed to wrap around me, seeping into the very marrow of my bones. I pulled back, unable to keep the smile or heat from my face.

The rain had finally eased, leaving the air fresh with that after-storm scent, but the wind had picked up again, making me shiver. Gray noticed and wrapped his arms around me. His warmth was immediate and comforting.

“I take it back,” I said. “Bad weather is the upside of living at the beach.”

Gray chuckled. “Come on. We should try to get back. You can change into dry clothes, and I’ll make you some hot chocolate. Brenda keeps a secret stash in the kitchen.”

“Sounds good.”

Gray took my hand and led me towards the campgrounds, our feet moving in a playful half-run. A giggle escaped me, the spontaneity of the moment so sweet.

Fifteen minutes later, I was dry and waiting for Gray to fix us something warm to drink. With my arms folded, I leaned against the counter. I still struggled to compute this recent development with Gray. I almost didn’t trust it.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

“Promise you won’t think I am fishing for compliments?”

Gray laughed and raised his eyebrows. “Okay.”

“Why did you break your rule for me? You’ve only known me a week.”

Gray left the kettle boiling and strode toward me. Like I weighed nothing, he picked me up and placed me on the counter so that I’d be eye level with him. It was a deep counter, and I scooted back. He stood in front of me and placed his hands on either side of my legs. I was caught in the direct stare of his magnificent gray eyes.

“That’s an easy one to answer.”

“No joking, it’s a serious question,” I said.

“I am being serious. Firstly, while I’ve only known you a week, I’ve easily spent over fifty hours with you. That’s like three months of getting to know someone slowly through church, dates, or parties. Secondly, I used to think I needed someone predictable, perhaps the girl-next-door type. But now I’m questioning my theories. Elle, I broke my rule for you because you’re different. You’ve had my undivided attention since you pulled into the parking lot in your yellow submarine. I know I’ve only known you for a short time, but I’ve learned enough about you to make breaking my rule the only sensible thing to do. For example, I like your quiet confidence. Not everyone is cut out for solo road-tripping. You do it with grace and courage. It’s also so awesome to see you with the kids… you have an amazing work ethic and by the way you answer their questions, it’s clear you have a strong relationship with God. Not to mention that you kept Brenda’s makeup on today. It shows me you care more about Brenda’s heart and less about what random people think about you. Elle, all these things make me want to explore my connection with you.”

With each sentence he delivered, the walls around my heart crumbled. I’d never felt so seen before. It kind of rocked my world. I opened my mouth to say something and then shut it again.

“Did I say too much?” he asked in response to my silence.

I smiled to reassure him. “I’m happy. No one has ever spoken to me like that before and it made my heart feel a certain way.”

“The only con on my list with you is that you don’t know how to put sunscreen on. Is it a prerequisite for being a preschool teacher? Do you have to apply sunscreen the way your students do?” Gray asked in a mock-serious tone.

I pushed his chest. “It’s better to look like a clown than to get burned,” I said with a laugh.

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