Page 75 of Concerted Chaos

I shrug helplessly. “I don’t know. Going back to work at the gym, once my bruises fade.”

He steps closer. “Cassidy, there has to be something you want. Think about yourself, for a change. What do you want?” Is he challenging me? He is slowly getting closer, eyes fixed on mine. The air is getting too thick and I can’t catch my breath.

“I ...” I search for an escape, a way to get away from the fluttering in my stomach and the electricity in the air. I’m not ready for this, not yet. “I want ... to swim. Today’s the first day since my surgery that I’m allowed to swim, and that pool is calling my name.”

“Oh.” He finally breaks eye contact, glancing over his shoulder out the doors to where the pool water is beckoning. And now he’s chewing on his lower lip and avoiding looking at me. I just can’t seem to get things right between us.

“Tanner, is your swimsuit in your van?”

That brings a tentative smile back to his face. “Are you inviting me to swim?”

“I’m inviting you to spend a day lounging around in the vicinity of my pool. If you want to swim, you can. And then later, you can wander back into my kitchen and figure out how to make apology pudding. I recommend chocolate.”

His smile widens, and the dimple is in full force. “It’s going to be okay, isn’t it? You and me, Cass ... friends again?”

Yes, that’s what I’m ready for. That’s what I need right now. Friends again. Because it turns out, we were all along, I just wasn’t able to admit it.

“We’re better than okay, Tanner. Go get your swimsuit.”