Page 106 of Beauty
Sienna has gone completely silent, grimacing at the live shrimp we brought for bait.
I show Ollie how to cast, and while he dances around, his pole bouncing so violently I can’t imagine any fish will get near the shrimp, I step up behind Sienna and bring my mouth to her ear. “Can I help you?”
She stiffens. “I, um…am not sure fishing is the hobby for me.”
Chuckling, I reach around her, pressing my front to her back, and pluck a shrimp from the container. “That’s okay, butterfly. I’ve got you.”
As I add it to her hook, she lets out a shuddering breath.
When the bait is in place, she steps away and brings the pole back, then casts forward.
Nothing happens. For a moment, she stares out at the water.
“Dad,” Ollie chides. “You didn’t tell her to lift the bail.”
I take the blame with a smile. “Oh, right. Silly me.”
Cheeks pink, she turns and thrusts the pole at me. “Fine. Show me.”
With a shake of my head, I set my pole down and crowd her space. I put my hands over hers. Then, from over her shoulder, I guide her through the steps.
“Lean back into me,” I instruct. “Flick this wrist and then release.”
When the lure goes flying and it hits the water with a plop, she squeals and does a little dance, her ass brushing against my dick. “Now what?”
I groan in her ear and tighten my arms around her to keep her from moving. “Now we wait.”
When I step away and pick up my pole, she peers over her shoulder, her lip stuck out. “Really? Wish I had known that earlier. I’m not very patient.”
Laughing, I cast my own line. Looks like she’ll get a lesson in patience today. Because for the next couple of hours, all we’ll do is wait.
If that isn’t irony, I don’t know what is.
I’ve become an expert at waiting, and if I have to continue waiting for Sienna, then at least I can do it with her by my side.
Waiting is my only option, because I’ll never move on. She’s it for me.
Now if only she’d believe it.
“You know what happened at school this week?” Ollie asks.
I don’t have a clue, which is surprising. For as much as he talks, I was certain he’d replayed every moment of the time we were apart already. “What?”
He shakes his head, like the story he’s about to tell me is unbelievable. “At recess. Atrecess.” He smacks his head, getting himself all worked up.
Amusement floods me. Fuck, I love this kid. “What happened at recess?”
“Jack kissed a girl.” He peers up at me, practically bug-eyed, like he’s waiting for me to be affronted right along with him.
Sienna takes the bait. “On the lips?”
He whips his head back, his face screwed up. “No.Ew.”
I laugh. “So on the cheek?”
“Yeah.” He shudders, clearly still grossed out by the idea.
“Did he get her consent?” I hedge.
