Page 54 of The Comeback Summer

“That would be great,” Josh says.

I snag a bench while Josh goes to buy water. And as I stare up at the giant wheel where Josh and I held hands for the first time, all the tender sweetness of that moment rushes back: the anticipation, the full-body tingles when his fingers interlaced with mine. My chest aches with that particular pain only memories of Josh can create.

The Centennial Wheel has been rebuilt since back then; it’s bigger and nicer, with climate-controlled gondolas. Being here feels like a metaphor; our old relationship torn down and discarded, something different erected in its place. And I’m not sure how I feel about that.

I wonder if he remembers. Probably not. Holding hands is not a monumental event in most people’s lives.

Josh returns and sits heavily next to me on the bench, his face tightening with pain.

“You sure you’re okay?” I ask.

“Yeah, it’s a lingering injury. Flares up when I run too fast.”

I’m about to apologize again when he lifts the bottom edge of his shirt to wipe the sweat on his face, revealing nearly all his torso. Tan skin and a broad chest; a sprinkling of dark hair that funnels into a line down his flat stomach and disappears into his running shorts...

My mouth goes dry. The last time I saw this much of Josh, his metabolism was so fast he couldn’t gain weight or put on much muscle. I loved his body, of course I did, but it was... not like this. We had an inside joke that he hadn’t fully completed puberty yet.

He has now.

I avert my eyes, but it’s too late. Now I’m thinking about what’s in those shorts. And wondering if anything is different down there, too.

Damn it.

My cheeks are burning hot; it’s been so, so long since I’ve had thoughts like this, about anyone. Attraction. Lust. I put my water bottle to my lips and take a long swig, trying to cool myself off.

“Thirsty?” Josh asks, a teasing lilt to his voice.

“Uh...” Flustered, I search for something else to talk about. “How’s work?”

“Good,” he says, lighting up. “Remember that project I told you about, the summer program for the high school kids?Looks like I’ll be joining the trip to the Bahamas on our research vessel later this summer, so I can get a feel for how it works.”

He continues, telling me all the details, but my mind is stuck on the image of Josh on a boat wearing swim trunks and no shirt, his glorious torso exposed for all and sundry to enjoy. Then he starts talking about how he got scuba certified, and I’m imagining him in a wet suit, peeling down the top, his golden skin dappled with water droplets.

He takes a drink, and I can’t help staring at his throat, the way it bobs as he swallows. My eyes drift down to the dark V of sweat that makes his shirt cling to his chest.

I glance away as he lowers his water bottle.

“How’s work for you?” he asks.

“Good. Fine.”

“But...” he prods, like he knows I have something else to say. He probably does; I wouldn’t be surprised if he can still read me.

I shrug, thinking back to the conversation Libby and I had about the presentation, when I suggested we mock up a social post. I was trying to stick a toe out of my occupation-related comfort zone, but it was clear that didn’t work for her. And I can’t afford to upset the balance of our partnership—not now, with things as precarious as they are.

Josh nudges me. “Hey. Want to ride the Ferris wheel?”

No. No, I do not. The last thing I want is to be in an enclosed space that reminds me of the first time I touched this man—or any human being—in a romantic way.

“It’s getting late. I should probably head home,” I say.

Josh pulls something out of his pocket. Tickets. He’s grinning, his dimple winking. “Oops. Already bought them.”

This is classic Josh, fun and spontaneous, assuming I’ll go along with him.

Before I can answer, my phone buzzes, and I pull it out of my pocket.

Libby:You went to work out with Josh? You should’ve woken me up. CALL ME!!!!

---