here, though, and words he hadn’t planned on speaking began to flow. “After my divorce, I came out here and sat on this bench to figure out what I truly wanted out of life. I watched all the different boats gliding in and out of the canal and thought about how much I used to love sailing. How much more I enjoyed my life before it got so busy.”
Something about Danae made it easier to talk about subjects he normally couldn’t discuss with anyone else. That was part of friendship, right? Saying things you’d held in for far too long because it finally felt safe to voice them? “That’s when it hit me. You only get one life. Right then and there, I vowed to make the most of mine.”
Danae turned away from the stunning scenery to study him instead. It should be illegal to look that cute in a baseball cap. Only problem was, the brim shaded her eyes. He dipped his head enough to view those windows into her soul and get a better read on her.
“I totally understand how you’d feel that way,” she said, “but when my dad died, all I could focus on was how uncertain so much of life is, and how I never wanted to experience having the rug jerked out from underneath me ever again. If I can minimize future pain for myself and my loved ones, why wouldn’t I take those steps?”
Obviously a rhetorical question. Judging from the twist of her lips and the lines creasing her brow, the wheels in her brain were spinning in that way they often did.
She surprised him by placing a hand on the center of his chest, and his heart threw itself at her mercy, beating away against his inner walls as if it longed to get closer to her. “My dad poured tons of cash into a sinking ship. He did his best, but he wasn’t as knowledgeable about repairs and renovation as you are. I think all that work you’ve put into Solitude is truly impressive. You’re a great sailor and captain, and your job totally suits you. I can tell how much you love it.”
“I sense a but,” he said, placing his hand over hers and securing it tighter to his chest. It felt so right there. How could he possibly let go now?
“Not really. I’m merely letting you know that I hear you and understand where you’re coming from. I enjoy my job, too. Hard work and determination got me to where I am today. My top priority is doing everything I can to secure my future, especially financially. That way, if anything were to happen to me, it wouldn’t be as much of a burden to my family.”
“If you live your life thinking about the end of it, though, that’s not really living.”
Her eyebrows knit together as she processed. “I’m not sure I can just let go of that need.”
“The beauty is we don’t have to agree on some grand life philosophy. My reason for telling you this isn’t to convince you to let go of your goals. Maybe just allow a little more room for fun and spontaneity in your life.”
“I’ll definitely consider it.” She blew out a breath, and her hand trembled as she withdrew it from his to reach up and fiddle with the charm on her necklace. “Okay, here goes my attempt at being spontaneous and taking a risk, in spite of being afraid everything’s about to go down in flames.”
All he could do was stare, his heart thumping harder as he waited to see what she said next.
“We’ve tried the friends thing, for…what? A day now?”
Now Josh was the one knitting his eyebrows as he tried to figure out what was going to come out of her mouth next. “Yeah.”
“Is it working for you? Because it’s not really working for me,” she said, and his stomach bottomed out. She didn’t want to associate with him anymore? Her face pinkened. “I know I’m the one who suggested we stick to friends, but I like you, Josh. The kayak ride and being up here with you—it’s all emphasized just how much. Once this trip is over, maybe we could go on a date. But if that’s not something you’re interested in, please stop me before I embarrass myself any further.”
He gently cupped her chin, tipping her face to his. Her expression was so open and vulnerable. It yanked at his heartstrings, so strongly he almost expected them