Page 163 of Where Broken Wings Fly

“I can’t breathe!” she screams.

Relenting, I release her. We’ve rolled down the slope I was perched on in front of the decent-sized lake behind the cabins, the still surface feeding water back down into the valley beneath us.

“Can we go swimming?” she pleads.

“I don’t know, Ari.”

“Please, please, please!”

The summer sunshine has been beating down on the water for weeks. It’s clear too, beyond the odd reed and floating lily pad. Perfect for a quick dip. The guys have been telling us stories about summer nights spent in the water.

“I don’t want you to be scared.”

“The giant said he would teach me to swim,” she reasons. “I’m not afraid.”

Her pout grows even bigger.

“Killian’s busy right now, Ari.”

“Pretty please? With sprinkles and cherries on top? I want to swim!”

Swinging her back onto her feet, I gesture towards Killian in the distance behind his cabin, studying his huge pile of chopped wood. We’re having another bonfire for the housewarming and he’s in full preparation mode.

“Go and see if the giant is free. If he says yes, then I suppose it’s okay.”

“Yay!” She squeals.

Clapping her little hands together, Arianna races off in a blur of over-excited energy. I try to resume the letter but end up tucking the paper and pen back into the pocket of my discarded denim jacket, a thousand words still unwritten.

Somehow, a letter doesn’t feel quite right. It’s so impersonal for such a life-changing revelation. I don’t even know Katie, but I feel like I owe her more than that. Even strangers deserve our compassion, and I’m tired of hating the world.

“Willow!”

Zach and Micah walk in step with each other, their floppy hair and easy smiles blurring their identities into one. The lantern lights are all done, and they’re both carrying towels. My mouth dries up at the sight of Zach’s bare chest.

He’s wearing black swim shorts that hang low on his hips, highlighting the delicious ‘V’ that makes my thighs clench. Micah wears a bright blue pair with a white t-shirt, and while he’s slimmer, his legs are lined with packed muscles.

Hello, twins!

“What’s up?” I smile at them.

“The little terror has announced that we’re swimming in the lake.” Zach drops his striped towel beside me. “I figured we ought to keep our promise.”

“Killian took her inside to get changed,” Micah explains.

He crouches down to press his parted lips to mine. The way his roughed hand caresses my jawline sends sparks of static electricity bolting up my spine. Micah’s kisses melt my insides like nothing else. His gentleness is strangely exhilarating.

“You look beautiful,” he whispers into my lips.

“Thanks, Mi. Not painting today?”

“Fuck the paintings. I needed to hear your voice.”

I run a hand over his wind-swept hair. “You should ditch work more often.”

He kisses me again, lingering for a tender moment. “Keep talking like that and I will.”

When he finally releases me, Zach takes his twin’s place and steals a lip-smacking kiss. “You coming in as well, babe? It’ll be nice and warm.”

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