Page 23 of Worth the Risk
“When did you get that?”
“Get what?” She opens her eyes and her eyes in the sun look like pools of honey that I want to swim in.
“The fern tattoo.”
“Oh, I got that one a couple years ago. It was a cover up job.” I laugh and she slips out of my arms to swim to more shallow water.
“A cover up? What did you get? I have to know.” She smiles.
“Wouldn’t you like to know? It was just a dumb spur of the moment decision.” She keeps walking and when her back is finally exposed to me I see more ink.
“More tattoos?” There’s a jaguar on the lower part of her left shoulder blade and a plant leaf on the opposite rib cage. “Winslow Parker, you rebel.” She laughs at that.
“Look who’s talking? You’re covered.”
“Yeah but I’m not masquerading as the innocent town baker.” Her laughter grows.
“I am the innocent town baker.” She deadpans.
“So she says…now back to the mystery tattoo that was so bad you had to cover it.”
“I thought you were acceptably distracted.”
“As distracting as you are, I’ve got to know.”
“Hmm…” She taps her chin. “If you can guess it, I’ll tell you.”
“You’re on.” I follow her out of the lake, entranced.
We spend the rest of the afternoon laying on our blanket, snacking, talking and laughing. She reads her book and I’m happy to just be beside her, catching glimpses of her face, knowing when she likes a page. When it’s time to make the hike back to the car I take every opportunity to help her down the mountain. Not only because I can’t stop touching her but also because I’m worried she may trip and a visit to the emergency room would kind of put a damper on the amazing day we’ve had. And it has been an amazing day. I don’t know what’s going on in Winnie’s head, sometimes it’s a mystery but I know I can’t stop smiling even after I drop her off at her house and am getting into bed, wishing I could be laying down next to her.
Afew days have passed since our day at the lake. During that time, I’ve thought of little else. I’ve been back and forth on trying to have a casual thing with Rhett and I don’t see how I don’t fall for him and get my heart broken. He’s been in and out of his house a lot. It’s not that I’m keeping track of him. It's just hard not to when he lives right next door. I’m going to try and take my mind off of it though. Tonight I’m having Mare over for a wine night and trash tv. She’s been working crazy hours at the hospital and I can tell there’s more tension with another doctor, maybe I’ll be able to get her to spill tonight.
It’s beautiful out today. A little cooler than the last few. The season is starting to change and I can’t wait for it. I brought home some things from the bakery to snack on tonight and I’m also making chicken fettuccine for dinner, because that’s Mare’s favorite dish and we like to carb load while watching otherpeople derail their lives. I’m already in my most comfy pajamas when I hear her come in.
“Honey! I’m home!” she calls and I grin.
“In the kitchen! Right where I should be, sweetheart!” I reply and we both laugh.
“Is that amazing smell what I think it is?”
“It is,” I confirm. “Because I’m the best friend anyone could ask for.”
“You are the best friend anyone could ask for! I brought the wine. Should I open it now or?” I give the side eye. “Yep, opening now.” She opens the two drawers she seems to always open before she gets to the one with the wine key. “So, how’s it going with the new neighbor?” I filled her in on the night I gave Rhett a very accidental strip tease in my kitchen through a string of frantic voice messages.
“Um…fine I guess. I haven’t seen much of him since Sunday.”
“What was he doing Sunday?”
“We—went hiking…?” I focus on the sauce on the stove but I see her turn to face me.
“Hiking.” She says the word like she’s testing it. “You went hiking? Together?”
“Yeah. I went to his family’s lunch, Mary invited me and then he asked me to go. I wasn’t going to but he said I could bring my book and well…I’ve definitely had worse days.” When I chance a look at her, she’s shaking. “Mare?” I hear a snort. “What is so funny?”
“Winnie.” She gasps out between the fit of laughter she’s succumbed to.
“What?” I’m smiling now, too, because it feels weird not to join in at this point.
