ashley
34 YEARS OLD
Serenity has been back in Sunshine Coast for a week. I’ve tried giving her space because the funeral was hard on her, and she has all this guilt eating away at her. Fran definitely wouldn’t have wanted that; she was grateful for the summer she had with her niece. Besides, I’m sure Serenity’s mother didn’t try to help mend things. From what Fran told me, her sister was nothing like her, or Serenity.
I unload my mower from the back of my truck. I’ve been taking care of the yard since Fran got too sick to do it herself. The mower starts up as soon as I press the button, and I get to work. A few minutes later, I feel eyes on me. I look over to the porch, and Serenity is wearing nothing but a long T-shirt and holding a cup of coffee in her hands.
I wave and continue until the yard is completely mowed. Serenity watches me the entire time while taking little sips of her coffee.
“Enjoy the show?” I ask as I load my mower back into my truck.
“I did, actually. Thanks for that.”
“Think I can get a cup?”
She shrugs with a smirk and says, “I guess it’s the least I can do.”
My heart stutters when she winks and nods for me to follow her into the cabin.
Sitting at the table, I enjoy my own little private show as her shirt rides up her thigh while she reaches for a cup in the cabinet. I avert my eyes when she looks over her shoulder at me.
“Tell me, Ash. Have you settled down over the years?”
“Oh, we’re jumping right into it, huh? Okay. Nope. I make sure Zuri is still on the right path. She’ll be the first college graduate in our family.”
“That’s amazing. I see from your truck you own your own business.”
“I do.”
“Any plans to ever leave Sunshine Coast?”
“None. This is home. Why would I ever leave? It’s beautiful here, peaceful, and I couldn’t imagine life anywhere else.”
“It does seem almost magical.”
“Are you eager to get back to California?”
“No. I think I need time. I need more time here to heal.”
“You think being in this cabin helps?”
“It does. I think tonight I’m going to go swimming. Wanna join me? You never did go swimming with me.”
The word no is on the tip of my tongue until she smiles at me. It’s the smile I’ve dreamed about for years. I stand and tell her, “I’ll be back tonight, then.” I leave my coffee cup in the sink on my way, and it takes everything in me not to turn back around.
* * *
I’m a nervous wreck as I drive back out to Serenity. It’s been so long. She’s still as beautiful as ever with that shy, sweet smile, but she’s not eighteen anymore. She’s twenty-six. Our age difference doesn’t matter like it once did. This is possibly my one and only chance to have her back in my life. When she asked if I’d ever leave, I started to confess there’s only one reason or one person who could ever pull me away from here. I’ve worked most my life for what I have now, but I could walk away from all of it for her. Only for her.
I exit my truck and begin to walk to the cabin when I hear her laughter. I spin around and she’s already stripping down. “You made it!”
“Whoa. Looks like just in time, too.”
“Come on.” She shimmies out of her panties. “Push the limits and live for the minutes!”
“Oh.” She’s planning for us to go skinny-dipping. I place my hands on my hips and inhale a deep breath. I hadn’t exactly planned on this, but I’m not one to turn down an opportunity when it’s presented. I hurry down the path, where Serenity is tossing her bra toward the shore line as she wades farther into the water.
“Push the limits and live for the minutes,” I mumble as I leave a trail of clothes behind me.