Seducing Simon(45)

“Want to go on the ferry first then come back to the beach?” he asked.

She nodded in excitement. She’d already pinched herself twice to ensure she wasn’t dreaming. They really hadn’t had much time to talk about their new status, but she hoped they’d remedy that before the day was over. Then she’d have to decide at what point she dropped the bomb.

Chewing on her bottom lip, she cursed her stupidity for the thousandth time. If she’d only played it cool, she might be in this same position with Simon without the burden of being pregnant with a child he didn’t know about.

No, she wouldn’t regret it. Wouldn’t allow herself to wish her baby’s existence away. True it would be difficult to face Simon with the truth, but if things went well between them, it might not be as traumatic as she imagined.

When she looked up they were pulling into line for the ferry boarding.

Gulls swarmed overhead, lighting on the dock masts beside the boat. The drove up the ramp and parked.

“Come on,” he said, grabbing a bag with several pieces of bread in it.

“Let’s go feed the gulls.”

They weaved through the cars and stood at the back of the ferry where the gulls were already hovering. As they motored away from the dock, Toni tossed up bits of bread for the hungry birds. The gulls followed across the bay the entire way, swooping and diving to catch the bread thrown their way.

When their bread was gone, Simon pulled her back against his chest, wrapping his arms around her. He rested his chin on the top of her head and looked out over the bay with her.

“Look!” she said excitedly, pointing out over the edge of the ferry. A school of dolphins surfaced, their bodies arcing through the water in graceful unison.

They continued watching as the dolphins disappeared from view.

“That was fun,” she said bestowing a wide smile on Simon. And it was the truth. This was shaping up to be the best day of her twenty-five years.

When the ferry docked, they climbed back into Simon’s truck. “Do you want to hang out here in Galveston or get back on the ferry?” She fastened her seat belt and thought for a moment. “Let’s go back.

There won’t be many people on the peninsula so we’ll have the beaches to ourselves.”

“I like the way you think,” he said with a grin.

As they returned to the line waiting for the next ferry, she wondered, not for the first time, if they were doing the right thing. She hated this subtle awkwardness between them. Almost as if neither of them truly felt at ease with the transition they were trying to make.

If things didn’t work out, their friendship could very well fall by the wayside.

After dinner and a long walk on the beach, they packed the cooler back up and returned to the truck to head home. They rode in silence, Toni staring out her window at the passing landscape.

“You okay?” Simon asked glancing over at her.

She offered him a smile. “Just tired.”

“I hope we didn’t overdo it.”

“Of course not. I had a wonderful time.”

“So did I,” he said after a moment.

She studied his profile as he drove, the ripple of muscles visible in his arms. She could never explain the urge that overtook her when she was around him, but she physically had to restrain herself to keep her from throwing herself in his arms. Burying her head in his broad chest and feeling his strong arms around her.

“What are you thinking?” His voice rudely brought her fantasy to an end.

She flushed. “Oh nothing.” She wasn’t going to admit that she really wished he would kiss her again. There had been several opportunities when they’d walked the beach hand in hand, but she had felt shy and uncertain.

“You were staring awfully hard.”

She looked guiltily away, but chuckled in an attempt at dry humor.

“Surely you’re used to girls staring at you.”

“But I’m not used to you staring at me.” Swallowing a deep gulp, she chanced a look back at him. “Does it bother you?”

“I suppose it’s best to be totally honest with each other,” he began. “I admit, this is a little weird for me. I honest to God thought I was losing my mind when I started looking at you as something other than a good pal. I felt guilty, confused, and a little betrayed.”

“Betrayed?”

“Yeah, I mean I wasn’t supposed to be looking at you like that, much less thinking the things I was thinking. But I was anyway.” Her cheeks grew warm. “Yeah well, try doing that for a few years.”

“Why didn’t you ever say anything?” he asked.

“Why didn’t you?” she countered.

“Good point. I guess we’re both hopeless,” he said with a chuckle.

“Is this going to ruin things, Simon?”

He took his eyes off the highway and looked at her for a moment. “No, I don’t think so. I hope it will make things even better.” His hand crept over and he loosely threaded his fingers through hers.

The rest of the ride home went by in a blur. They had light conversation about nothing in particular but their hands stayed entwined.

As they pulled into the driveway at home, Toni’s brow furrowed as she saw a red Honda Accord parked beside her Jeep. “Isn’t that Starla’s car?” she asked, though she knew exactly whose car it was.