Page 51 of His North Star
Humiliation burned within me. “I’m sorry,” I blubbered. “That went way differently in my head.”
I scooted away, crab-walking backward until no part of me touched him. I flipped onto my knees, burying my face in my hands. Why couldn’t I have just opened the door and said hi like a normal person?
James cleared his throat. “Maren.”
“Hmm?” I spoke through my hands.
“Let me help you up.”
I shook my head. “I’m good right here.”
He chuckled. “Your knees will start to hurt. Come on.” He slid his arms under my armpits and lifted me until I stood. He spun me around until I assumed I faced him. My hands still covered my burning face.
He pulled my hands away, bending until his face was right in front of mine. “Hi, Maren. It’s good to see you.”
“Hi,” I squeaked out.
“I like your place,” he said, looking around.
I took it in as if seeing it for the first time. The plain white laminate counters were dull and dated compared to James’s condo. My hand-me-down dining table was no longer charming; instead, it reeked of a poor college student. The only bright spot was the comfortable tan couch I purchased last year. I guess my free apartment never bothered me until now. With James here, instead of cute country chic, my home was drab and outdated.Another reason James was too good for me.
“It’s small, but it gives me time away from my family,” I said, going to the couch.
“I like it.” He nodded before sitting. “It’s homey and inviting.”
“How’s work going?”
We talked about his work all the time.Find a new subject!
He shrugged. “Same old, same old.”
“No animals peeing on you or biting you?”
He chuckled. “Oh, at least once a day.”
“What a glamorous life you lead, Dr. Wilton. Should I be jealous of your patients?”
He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer to him. He whispered in a husky voice, “I do have my hands all over them.”
Heat rushed across my cheeks. Although I shouldn’t be surprised. James was a huge flirt. “Maybe we should get out kayaking before it’s too late.”
“You’re probably right.” He winked.
We made our way to the storage shed behind the garage to gather our equipment. Standing at the entrance, I pointed to the metal rack that held our personal kayaks and paddle boards. “One-person kayak or two?” I asked.
“I’m game for either.”
“Single it is.” I lifted a kayak down.
“You don’t want to be with me?” He fake-pouted, lip jutting and all.
Oh, that face begged to be kissed. “I wouldn’t mind, but then we can’t race. And I always win.” I grinned cockily. Not really. Any time Landon or Ty came out here with me, they trashed me. James had this in the bag.
“I like your thinking.”
A few minutes later we were on the cobalt-blue water moving north. The lake wasn’t too busy for a Wednesday afternoon. We rowed quite far without getting interrupted by a larger boat. We kept an even pace with one another and chatted about things we missed about college, the best food we’d ever eaten, and our dream vacations.
My arms ached from the strain of kayaking for over an hour. I didn’t complain or call it quits. Ty and I had spent hours as teens out here. I was used to pushing my limits.
