Page 56 of Bumping into You

“You’d do that?” she asks.

“Of course, Rose, I’d do anything for you.” I reach out my hand to her. “Do you trust me?”

Nodding, she takes my hand and says, “Let’s do this.”

“That’s my girl,” I say.

Grinning, we link our fingers. “Three, two, one . . .” I say, and we take off running, jumping just as the edge nears.

When we break the surface of the water, the laughter and pure joy emanating from Gwen causes my breath to hitch. She’s gorgeous. More than that, she’s a stunning woman inside and out.

We swim back over to the group. Margot and Trent convince some of the others to jump with them again. But Gwen and Holly head to the beach to lie out, leaving just me and Greg.

Greg swims closer and, in a hushed tone, says, “I knew you’d be good for Gwen. It’s almost like she’s her old self again, before that jerk dumped her.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“If you want some advice, she loves Mexican food and Putt-Putt golf.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Thanks for doing this, man.”

“Don’t feel like you need to thank me. She’s thecraicto hang out with.”

“I love to hear it,” he says. “It hasn’t been too hard getting Gwen to hang out with you, has it?”

“Not really,” I admit.

“Well, that’s good,” says Greg. “And, um, things are still friendly between you two, right?”

My stomach churns slightly at the guilt I feel in deceiving Greg. Not only about the deal I made with Gwen, but also about my feelings that are growing stronger for her the more I’m around her.

I have the urge to confess everything to Greg, but one look at the beach, seeing Gwen so peaceful, has me biting my tongue.

I cannot betray her trust. If I can’t have more with her right now, at least I have her trust. And her trust is worth more to me than anything else.

“Yes, just friendly.”

Chapter 23

Gwen

By the time we get back to the port, my stomach is grumbling. I’m ready to eat when we meet up with our parents and Maggie for a late lunch in the city, Oranjestad.

“Did you know the style of these houses is Dutch Colonial?” asks Dad. “We stopped by a little museum and found out all about the history, didn’t we, Maggie?”

She scrunches her nose at the mention of the museum. I guess it wasn’t one of her favorite things to do.

“What do you think of the houses?” I ask her encouragingly.

“I think they look like bright gingerbread houses,” she says, then giggles, “like Easter and Christmas collided.”

“Hmm, isn’t that a fun idea,” says Holly. “Maybe we can make one this Christmas to put in my storefront window.”

Maggie nods excitedly, “Niall, could you make one with us?”

“Oh, umm, I don’t know, Maggie,” Niall says. “I live pretty far from Chessie Valley, you know?”

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