Page 19 of Anchored

My gaze shifts over his ear to the ring of trees that line the lake. “My parents, for sure. My brother, definitely. Even my yoga friends kind of tease me about it.”

I try to keep walking, but Holt holds me back until I look up at him again. “Well, those people are missing out on what a wonderful person you are. Takes a soft heart to communicate with animals. Most humans think animals are below them, while you treat them like beings that deserve understanding. I think that’s beautiful. Not weird.”

My heart melts. That has to be the nicest thing someone has ever said to me. It doesn’t escape me how delicious he looks in the moonlight without a shirt, wet brown hair askew, and a small dog tucked against his chest. I find myself leaning closer, just to be near someone who seems to actually see me. Even when he doesn’t have his glasses on.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

Holt leans in too and suddenly we’re just an inch or so apart. I bite my bottom lip with nerves and his gaze follows the motion. His warm hand comes up and cups my face, his thumb tugging my lip away from my teeth. My breath catches and his head dips. My eyes flutter closed and I feel the faintest brush of his lips before a wet snarl and the much sharper brush of canines slides along my chin.

Holt and I break apart.

“No, Mookie!” Holt snaps. The dog continues to snap and snarl at him, looking absolutely feral.

“May I?” I ask, holding my hands out.

“Please.” Holt hands the dog off to me and she immediately quits snarling. In fact her tongue comes out and licks across my chin.

I walk a few steps away and look her directly in the eyes, holding her far enough away she can’t lick her way out of this mess. “That wasn’t very nice, Mookie. We don’t bite when we’re mad. Barking is fine. Biting is not. How would you like it if I bit you when I was mad? Wouldn’t feel very nice, would it?” Mookie whimpers and tries to lunge for my face with her tongue lolling out. I hold her back and force eye contact.

“Are you done biting?” She whimpers again and I dip my head in a nod. “Okay. You’re forgiven.” I tuck her into my chest for a hug before turning her over to Holt. She swipes her tongue across his chin and he nuzzles his face into her fur. Those two together are quite adorable.

I turn and start walking back, the damp clothes feeling cold and uncomfortable now. Holt must put Mookie down because I hear her collar clinking as she trots behind me to catch up. The cabin is just ahead and I nearly sprint to get to it, thoughts completely frazzled. Despite the warm evening, I’m shivering now.

What the hell was that? I almost kissed Holt McGrath again!

I wasn’t lying when I said I haven’t dated anyone since Dexter. I certainly haven’t locked lips with a man either. I’m already living with Holt for the summer and pretending to be engaged to him. I don’t think adding kissing to our list of activities is a good idea. For a split second my whole body shivers at what that might feel like. All those muscles pressed against me? Those kind lips turning my insides to mush?

No! Not a good idea. Nope. I don’t even live in Anchor Lake. This has disaster written all over it. It’s probably just leftover feelings from my childhood crush anyway. Yeah, that’s it. My heart just hasn’t caught up to the fact that we’re adults now and simple kisses over bonfires aren’t actually simple once you’re an adult. They’re messy and lead to heartbreak, something I can’t afford after Dexter left me devastated.

Holt opens the cabin door, and I make a beeline for my suitcase. “I’m going to hop in the shower and head to bed!” I call over my shoulder.

Yes, I’m running away.

And no, I refuse to think of Holt while I let the water in the shower warm me back up.

Gracie’s diary

(62 years ago)

Dear Diary,

I met up with Hank again after school. He brought me wildflowers like he always does. My parents think I’m studying hard at the library. I just can’t help myself. The way Hank looks at me makes me feel alive for the first time. I’m not the prettiest girl in school, but I’m not the ugliest either. Hank just looks at me like I’m the only girl he sees. And I like that.

We sneak onto the MacGowans’ dock and talk since they’re never home anyway. Sometimes he kisses me. Those are my favorite days. Today his hand landed on my leg while we were kissing. He groaned and then his hand swept up my leg, under my skirt, and onto my thigh! When I tell you my entire insides started trembling like an earthquake! He gripped my thigh with his strong hand and then snatched his hand back out like he couldn’t believe he’d taken liberties.

I pulled back, panting like a dog.

“I’m sorry, Gracie,” he said, looking mad at himself.

I reached down and grabbed his wrist, holding his gaze while I tucked his hand back under my skirt. Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I was so bold! I’m like one of those feminists! Next thing you know I’ll be burning my bra!

His lips came back down on mine and we kissed for hours.

Until my lips were red and swollen and he had to keep rearranging his pants.

You won’t believe what I said. I just came right out with it.

“I love you, Hank.”

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