Page 22 of Beyond the Stroke

“Why’s that?” I ask.

“Dolphins are the aquatic equivalent of a golden retriever.”

I nod in understanding. “Golden retrievers are playful, trustworthy, and loyal. I’ll take it.”

I watch a hint of a smile pull at the corner of her lips. It’s far better than the scowl she pinned me with earlier. I’m making progress with her, and I don’t want to stop now.

“Come on, Wildflower. One try.”

“Wildflower?” She scoffs.

“Yeah, like your tattoo.” I point to the tattoo on her wrist.

Her nose wrinkles, but I swear there’s an almost smile hidden beneath her exasperation. She stops suddenly and gives the command for the dogs to sit. One by one, she doles out treats and words of praise.

“What a good boy,” she tells Chef, the black lab, in a sweet, yet husky tone before giving him a treat. Fuck, I just know I’m going to replay that later and pretend she’s talking to me.

Be a good boy, Rory, and get on your knees for me.

Yeah, there’s no way that’s leaving my brain now.

Once the dogs are all attended to, she turns to me.

“You know the phrase, big tree, fall hard?” She scans a finger up the length of my body. “That’s in reference to you. You’re the big tree.”

I chuckle. “You think I’m going to fall?”

“My board’s too small for you. Gravity and center of mass will only assist in this disaster.”

That wasn’t a straight up no, so I must be wearing her down.

“I accept your challenge.” I take the skateboard from under her arm and place it on the ground.

“It wasn’t a challenge. I’m just saying this is probably going to end badly.”

I’m easygoing by nature, but I didn’t get where I am in swimming without a competitive streak. This isn’t a real competition, but now that she’s doubting me, I feel the need to prove her wrong.

I place one foot on the board, then the other to get a feel for it, before I toss her a sincere smile. “We need to work on your confidence in me.”

“We need to work on your reliance on that charming smile to get you anything you want.”

“So, you’re saying I’m charming?” I tease, pinning her with another smile.

She sighs again and shakes her head. “Let the record show that I am against this and am not held liable for any injury you might obtain.” She spreads her hands apart to indicate I’m free to give it a go.

“Any pointers?” I ask, stepping on to the board.

Even at an angle, my size fourteen running shoes hang off the edges of the board. I get what she meant about it being toosmall for me, but I’m not going to waste this opportunity to keep spending time with her.

In the back of my mind, I know I shouldn’t be putting my body through unknown situations. My knee is fully healed, but doing something stupid, like trying to impress a woman with skills I don’t have is asking for trouble. But when she extends her free hand to help me balance, guiding me down the boardwalk as the dogs follow, I know I’m stopping now.

I’ve never ridden a skateboard in my life, so I default to what I’ve seen on TV.

I start picking up speed. Wildflower jogs beside me, the dogs trotting obediently at her side. I catch the slight hitch in her breath and I wonder if this is pushing her asthma too far.

I didn’t realize I could move this fast.

“Rory!” she rasps. “Slow down!”

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