Free Everybody's After Love by Lyssa Layne Page A

guys.”
    He winks with his dimpled smile as he walks off and for a second, my disdain for Bri returns. She turns to me with a matching smile to her brother’s and asks, “So what’s going on between you two?”
    I feel my cheeks get warm, but not from the sun. I shrug and stare at the water, winding my line. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    In the highest pitch voice that I’m surprised doesn’t have all the fish floating on top of the water, she shrieks, “Come on, Jules! My brother is totally into you!”
    I give her a sideways glance then look over at the boys on the boat. They totally ignored her shrieking, completely unfazed by her voice.
    “He’s fun, we get along, that’s it.”
    “Don’t give me that, Julianna, I haven’t seen him act like this around a girl in a long time,” she says and immediately apologizes when I give her the look regarding the usage of my proper name.
    There’s a tug on my line and I shout, “I got something!”
    Saved by the line , I silently thank the fishing gods. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Bentley jogging toward us as Bri jumps up and down like a fishing cheerleader. Bentley moves behind me and I nestle into his body as he puts his hands on top of mine, whispering directions in my ear like last time. I’m really growing quite fond of fishing.
    Bentley jerks our rod up and out pops a teeny, tiny crappie. Bri lets out the loudest squeal as though it’s the best fish she’s ever seen while Bentley and I both laugh at the slightly larger than a minnow catch. He starts to take it off the line and I stop him.
    “I got this.”
    With raised eyebrows, he nods. “By all means, do the honors.”
    Biting my lip in deep concentration, it takes me a minute, but I finally get the little sucker off the hook.
    “Smile!” Bri calls out as she snaps a picture of me with the baby fish.
    Bentley takes the fish from me and tosses it back in the water after I give my approval. He stays close by as we fish for another half-hour. Then he starts to pick up the tackle box and poles. He looks at us and asks, “You girls ready to ski?”
    Bri nods excitedly and runs back to the boat. I stand there, shoulders dropped, disappointed at not fishing any longer and trying to avoid skiing. Bentley’s finger runs under my chin and he lifts my face up to him.
    “What’s wrong?” he ask, his eyes full of concern, which actually makes me smile.
    I shrug. “I’d rather fish.”
    He grins. “So I’ve turned you into an angular, good. I fish every Sunday afternoon at my parents’, consider yourself permanently invited.” And with that he takes my hand again and walks us back to the boat.
    As we walk, I stare at our hands and how easily they fit together. Not to mention how turned on I am by his simple touch. Thinking about Bri’s words, I wonder what she means, but there’s no way I’m about to broach that topic again.
     
    ***
     
    I hold on to Jules’ hand as though if I let go she’ll disappear. It’s been two long months without seeing her but life got in the way and I didn’t have a choice. I thought the worst of things were over but I was so far wrong. The random texts with Jules were the one thing that has kept me grounded, the only positive in my life right now. She’s done more for me than she knows but I don’t plan on telling her that anytime soon.
    Actually having her here, hand in hand with me is even better than I remembered. The one day we spent together at the baseball game has been the best date I’ve had in a long time. However, I don’t even think it was actually considered a date although our bodies were in contact in some way, shape, or form the entire time, much like today. If it had been up to me, we would’ve been seeing a lot more of each other before now. I still owe her a date so I can see that new dress of hers, although I’m definitely enjoying her attire today.
    Unable to pull myself away from her, I nod at Jason to drive as I take