Page 63 of Give & Take

But everything’s suddenly too serious. I’m afraid she’s going to spook.

So I take the other tack. I make her laugh. I take my time moseying over to her like a cowboy, my thumbs hitched in my belt loops. I walk bow legged, boots sticking out sideways.

Lana lets out a soft low laugh. But it works, she relaxes, just a hair.

“You’re ridiculous,” she says.

“And you’re purdy as hell.”

I spin around and land with a plop beside her, only a hair too close to be considered polite. Okay, maybe morethan a hair. I’m not quite touching her. I lean back, propping my ankle on my knee. Then I fling one arm behind my head and angle my face to hers.

For a moment, Lana’s quiet. Does she regret asking me over?

I decide then that the only way through this is for me to give her space to do or say whatever she needs to. This will be entirely up to her.

I look forward. Then I push off just a little so the swing rocks gently under us.

And I remind myself I’m not a worrier. I’m pretty sure Lana’s not going to tell me to go. I also don’t know if she’s going to do anything else but let me sit with her, and I decide that’s fine. I could live in this space of almost for the rest of my life. It’s delicious.

For a moment, we say nothing, just enjoy the gentle rock of the swing. I sense her softening against the pillows behind her. Maybe enjoying this the same way I am. Like we’re swinging over the rest of our lives.

“This is nice,” I say.

“It’s my favorite place to sit,” she says softly. Then she looks up at the hook suspending us from the ceiling. “Though I do need to get that part looked at. I’m not sure how well it’ll hold the both of us.”

I shrug. “We don’t have far to fall.”

She shoots me a glare that makes me smile. Then she looks away.

A little ping of awareness hits my brain. Shelikesme. She’s trying hard to hide it. Well I like her. And I’m shit at hiding it.

Then, because I’m a glutton for punishment—ormaybe because I like all things out in the open—I ask, “So. How’s Mike?”

Lana frowns, crossing her arms at her ribs. The movement pushes her breasts up just enough I have to suppress a happy sigh. And look away again.

“Same as always,” she says. “Obsessed with his own life. Acting like it’s a gift when he waltzes into ours. Can you believe that thing he brought? My whole backyard is gone.”

I say a silent prayer of thanks for God sending her ex here to remind her of how much better she can do. I may not be good for her, but anyone’s a prize next to him.

I shrug. “The grass will grow back.”

She narrows her eyes.

I grin. “Eventually.”

Then a terrible thought occurs to me.

“He’s not here, is he?”

“God no.” Lana looks horrified. “He’s at the Inn.”

I relax again. That is until she says, “How was your date?”

I meet her eyes again. My mouth curls up. “I think you know exactly how it went.”

Lana’s cheeks flood with a delicious pink blush. “I…” She leans back, her hand resting on her bare thigh. Then she lets out a breath, giving up on denying it. “How is it that even when you’re breaking it off with someone, you still manage to charm the pants off of them?”

“Oh she had her pants on. Maybe you couldn’t see from up here.”

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