Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(36)

After a few minutes Libby relaxed, and they shared a companionable silence. She closed her eyes and turned her face toward the sun and relaxed, really relaxed. Her tears earlier had been cathartic—they’d drained all the tension out of her, leaving her free of recriminations.

The main sail caught the wind and the Challenger sliced through the water like a hot knife through butter. Surprised by the sudden burst of speed, Libby grabbed hold of the side and held on.

Phillip laughed and motioned for her to come sit by him. “Come here by me,” he urged. “I’ll teach you to sail.”

“Ah …” The desire to learn outweighed her reluctance to take over the helm. She settled close to his side, but he had her sit in front of him, wrapping his arms around her and letting her take hold of the wheel. He explained basic sailing theory to her but the words made little sense. Although she did her best to pay attention, she couldn’t ignore the fact that she was basically in his arms. Her mind was spinning at an incredible speed, trying to take in how quickly her feelings for him, and apparently his for her, had changed.

“You’re doing great,” he assured her. His hands rested on her shoulders as she held on to the wheel.

“This is great.” Turning her head, she smiled up at him.

“You’re a natural.”

She laughed softly and then after only a short pause, Phillip leaned down and pressed his mouth to hers. It was a gentle, exploratory kiss that quickly deepened. This man could kiss. Libby strained up toward him; her position was slightly uncomfortable, but she didn’t care. She continued to hold on to the helm with one hand and slipped her free arm around his neck. The sail went slack and the flapping noise of the canvas was barely discernible to Libby, but apparently not to Phillip. Gradually, he broke off the kiss and lifted his head. He took over again, but when Libby went to move, he stopped her.

“I like having you here.”

Still flushed and a bit light-headed, she leaned against him and sat in his embrace for an hour, perhaps longer. Neither of them felt the need to speak. Being this close to Phillip felt incredibly good. Every now and again he’d rest his hand against her shoulder or lean down and kiss the side of her neck. When he did Libby would close her eyes, unable to believe that within the space of a few hours she had gone from one of the lowest points of her life to such supreme joy. The transformation had happened because of Phillip.

Eventually they headed back to the marina.

“Being on the water always makes me hungry,” Phillip said as he motored into his marina slot. “How does fish and chips sound?”

“Wonderful. I’m starved.”

“I am, too.”

He helped her off the boat, and they worked together to get the gear down and properly stored. When they started to leave, Phillip placed his arm around her shoulders.

“Be careful now, these docks get slippery.” He slipped an arm around her waist, as though he needed an excuse to keep her close.

“Especially in July,” she teased, noticing how dried out the wood seemed in the summer sunshine.

“Especially in July,” Phillip echoed, chuckling.

She looped her arm around his waist and together the two of them walked toward his car.

This day had certainly been full of surprises.

Chapter 13

Friday morning Libby could hardly wait to get to the gym to see Robin. She would have phoned or sent a text, but her time with Phillip was something she wanted to discuss in person.

They’d sat at the picnic tables outside the fish and chips stand and talked for two hours straight. He was completely different from what she’d expected. Her emotional collapse seemed to have made him willing to share deeper parts of his life with her.

Libby had never been the chatty type. Yet she found it so incredibly easy to talk to Phillip now that she’d gotten past his seemingly reserved exterior. They discussed a dozen different subjects, from popular music to books, politics, and religion.

He seemed genuinely interested in her opinions, some of which he agreed with and others of which he didn’t. She learned that he’d been badly burned in his last relationship. What she found remarkable was his honesty and willingness to acknowledge his part in the breakup. As one workaholic to another, she identified with him on a number of different levels. Afterward she felt buoyed, encouraged, and inspired.

At the end of the evening, he walked her up to her condo and kissed her good night. It wasn’t a simple peck on the cheek. It was a heated exchange that rocked her to the very core of her being. It’d been difficult to break away from each other, and when they did his breath was as ragged as hers.

The attraction she’d felt on the boat had exploded. Phillip felt it, too. Libby could see it in his eyes. He looked as shocked as she felt, as if he wasn’t sure this should be happening. They’d both been gun-shy because of previous relationships, and while what they felt was new and exciting, it was scary, too.

She could hardly sleep; she was that happy. Her entire being was filled with a hopeful expectation that was unlike anything she’d experienced in a very long while.

Libby was at her locker when Robin flew into the dressing room. Her friend’s face lit up the instant she saw Libby.

“I’ve got news,” Robin said, gripping Libby by the forearms.

Libby reached for her friend’s arms at the same time. “Me too.”