Free Catch of the Year by Brenda Hammond

lie.”
    â€œYou think so?” There was something rather gratifying about that. A guy who’d manipulate time to be with her.
    Her mom nodded. “Must be he feels the connection drawing you together as strongly as you do.”
    â€œToo bad. Because I’m cutting it today.”
    A sip of coffee burned her mouth, as if chastising her for her words.
    Marigold inclined her head and twirled a strand of hair. “And you’ll do this how?”
    â€œBy not seeing him tonight.” The temptation was great, but she had to stand firm.
    â€œYou’re saying this time you really are going to leave him waiting on the shore?”
    â€œNo. Adrian can go. Take a message across to let him know I’m not coming.” Jade broke off a piece of muffin. Before she put it in her mouth she said, “By the way, where is Adrian?” She turned her head and looked around the tiny room as if expecting one of the white walls to turn into a movie screen and reveal his whereabouts. “I haven’t seen him so far today.”
    â€œDon’t you know? He’s gone canoeing on Killarney with his pal Noah for the rest of this week.”
    Jade groaned.
    â€œHe said to tell you good-bye.” Marigold added, “Said you were sleeping so peacefully when he came to your room he decided not to disturb you.” She turned her sunny smile on her daughter. “So you see how the angels conspire. You and this Paul will be together again.”
    Jade finished her mouthful of muffin before speaking, not wanting to spray her mother with crumbs in her vehemence. “No, we won’t. Whatever happens, I am not crossing the lake to see him tonight.”
    Marigold stood up. With a nonchalant air she rearranged the sleeves of her smock and tossed her hair back. “Whatever you say, dear.”
    â€¢ • •
    After a full morning and half the afternoon spent staring at the computer, Jade was more than ready to escape outside and enjoy what remained of the day and evening. She had quite decided to ignore her rendezvous with Paul. That would finally banish him from her mind.
    She rode the bike back to the house and walked down the steps to the entrance. Behind her, the screen door screeched shut.
    â€œDipity?” her mother called.
    Jade stowed her helmet and pulled off her boots.
    â€œYes, it’s me.”
    â€œThis fishing jacket and waders down here … do they belong to who I think they do?”
    Oooooops. She’d forgotten all about Paul’s fancy outfit. Not to mention the fish that were taking up a fair amount of space in her mother’s second refrigerator. There was simply no getting away from the guy. She’d have to take them to him. Then she’d explain he’d already had his two hours and give him the kiss-off.
    Oooh, but she’d love to indulge in a kiss-off, a proper one, get a good sample of how Paul tasted. She leaned against the wall, closed her eyes, and remembered the marvelous sensation of his lips against hers, how her every sense had responded to his nearness. If that was the effect a simple, chaste kiss had on her, she’d probably revert to Victorian times and swoon if he took her mouth in a full-on smooch.
    She opened her eyes, breathed deeply, and told her overenthusiastic hormones to calm down. So far, her efforts to get Paul out of her brain had proved pathetic. Seeing him tonight was bound to reinforce the compelling fascination that sang through her. She’d better come up with something creative or the likelihood was that Paul would continue haunting her. Maybe she should picture him walking around in flippers wearing googlie glasses, the kind with built-in eyeballs. She grinned. Yeah, that might do the trick.
    â€¢ • •
    Waking slowly that morning, Paul grunted and wondered why he’d left the light on. Back in the city, in the half of a divided house he shared with Steve, he slept in pitch dark, having had