Page 72 of Blossoms of the Heart
Twice I kissed her in the same week, and she kissed me back. She wanted me too. I could tell.
I’d always remember what happened that night I last saw her when she was eighteen. I would never forget how I felt.
That was however something I couldn’t explore right now out of respect to Candace.
That was the plan. I’d take this week to sort out my mind then take it from there. But two weeks tops. No more time than that. It had already dragged out enough.
I walked about a mile then turned back, following the same path through the thicket of trees.
As a boy I used to love coming here with my dad and Akito. Akito more because he used to explain all kinds of things to me. Like how the limestone was formed, the stalactites and stalagmites. Cool things like how old something was, the different types of rocks I came across and all manner of amazing details that intrigued me.
Now I was just as fascinated to go back inside the cave.
We were taking the back entrance near the lower side of the hill. That had been closed off to the public because of the dangerous paths. Our investigation so far suggested this was the path our samurai friend had taken.
I personally felt there was more inside the cave. It was a gut feeling that would sound like a load of bullshit to some of the academics.
Plus, it made sense with what Phoebe said about the journal being confusing.
Much as I hated skeletons and lacked the academics on paper I knew my stuff and I took note of certain things that caught my attention.
The screech of tires brought me out of my thoughts.
I’d been standing by a thicket of trees. When I looked ahead I saw a convoy of trucks. Five of them. I noticed Scott’s range at the head of them taking the lead. Phoebe sat beside him.
I might have offered to pick her up straight from Akito’s this morning but I couldn’t.Didn’twas more the word.
As Scott parked up I noticed she was laughing at something he said. I forgot how beautiful she was when she laughed.
Scott got out the truck and opened the door for her, perfect gentleman.
He suited her. The man not only opened the door, he all but lifted her out and set her down past a puddle she would have stepped in if she’d gotten out herself.
I walked toward them, my legs feeling heavy the closer I got.
I looked her over and tried to tame the stir of emotion that brewed within me.
Her hair was to the side and plaited into one of those complicated braids. It ran all the way down to her waist and was secured with a little pink band.
That gloss was on her lips again. She wore a white shirt with a baby pink top underneath. The shirt she tied in front under her breasts, which I noticed Scott looking at as she spoke to him.
Then, of course my eyes caught sight of her ass in those short denim shorts.
Daisy Duke in her short shorts had nothing on Phoebe Walker and her long golden legs.
I pulled in a deep breath when I got up to them and they both saw me.
Phoebe started with surprise and straightened.
I owed her at the very least an explanation about Candace. It was the right thing to do. Saying it was complicated was one thing but three times now I’d pushed her buttons and made it seem like I was toying with her.
Apart from my insane attraction to her I had to factor in that she was my friend and a dear family friend. Dear to me.
She was like a daughter to Akito and a sister to Mitsuke, and she meant more to me. I couldn’t fuck with her or make her think I was toying with her.
“Tai, God, what the hell time did you get here?” Scott asked.
“Early,” I replied and looked over to Phoebe. “Hey.” I was testing the waters again, to see if she hated me.
