One of the biggest joys about being in the pool is that I can't hear a thing. I feel the underwater speakers but I can't hear the music and if someone needs me they have to physically get in the water and touch me as I swim endless laps back and forth across the widest part.
Maybe I meant biggest drawback, as instead of reaching out to touch the edge my hand lands on Caleb's chest and he pulls me up against him in the deep end.
Hello, Neamhchiontach.
Cale. Morning. I smile at him awkwardly. My eyes sting so badly. He doesn't care.
Nice form. He winks.
Thanks. I'm trying to be perfect. (Are we still talking about swimming? I don't think we're talking about swimming. I'm sure not.)
Shall we race?
No. I would lose.
No, I think you have a chance. I can always go slow. Or get lost. Or have a cramp. He laughs and his eyes flash. God can drown me now, really it's fine. He's so handsome.
Okay.
Really?
He counts down and we're off across the pool. He makes a comical show of doing a poor backstroke, then foundering as if he's unable to swim, and then finally he stops swimming and pretends to walk in slow motion, but he's still really fast and he grabs me, spinning me back toward the deep end, not letting go but reaching out to touch the edge. I win.
Wow.
Fair and square. I gave you every opportunity. Something less cheerful flashes across his eyes and we're definitely not talking about swimming any more. All of history is now floating among us, crowding us out, pushing us under.
Tomorrow I get a rematch.
Of course you do. When we get up.
When we get up?
Yes, when we get up you can have your rematch. You'll be with me.
Run it by Loch-
I don't have to do that. His rules. Go get dressed. Wear a pretty slip dress and the pink shoes. We're going out to dinner.
The pink shoes make me almost as tall as he is. I can't run away in those. I can hardly walk in those. I look like a deer on stilts in those.
I have pink ballet flats-
The heels, Bridget.
What time do I need to get ready?
Now, I think. He had you far away for many days straight. I think he can handle one entire twenty-four-hour period without you at all.
