“I’m sorry for all of it.” To her ears, her own voice sounded strained and tinny. “For the way I’ve been treating you. For the way I’ve made you think I’m not grateful for the things you’ve done.”
“And?”
She felt herself shrink, something that seemed to happen only in his presence.
“And,” she said, her tone softening, “I’ve been wrong.”
He paused, hand on hip. “About what?’
Gee, where should I start? the little voice answered. Maybe I haven’t been wrong. Maybe my intuition has been warning me about something I don’t quite understand but shouldn’t be under-estimated…
“About you,” she said, ignoring the little voice. “And you’re right. I haven’t been treating you the way I should, but to be honest, I’d rather not go into the reasons why.” She forced a smile, one that wasn’t reciprocated. “Would it be possible for us to start over?”
He seemed to mull this over. “I don’t know.”
“Huh?”
“You heard me,” he said. “The last thing I need in my life is a crazy neighbor. I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, but I learned a long time ago to call ’em like I see ’em.”
“That’s not fair.”
“No?” He didn’t bother to hide his skepticism. “Actually, I think I’m being more than fair. But I’ll tell you what-if you’re willing to start over, I’m willing to start over. But only if you’re certain you want that.”
“I am.”
“Okay, then,” he said. He retraced his steps to the deck. “Hi,” he offered, holding out his hand. “My name is Travis Parker, and I want to welcome you to the neighborhood.”
She stared at his hand. After a moment, she took it and said, “I’m Gabby Holland. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“What do you do?
“I’m a physician assistant,” she said, feeling slightly ridiculous. “How about you?’
“I’m a veterinarian,” he said. “Where are you from?”
“Savannah, Georgia,” she answered. “And you?”
“From here,” he said. “Born and raised.”
“Do you like it here?”
“What’s not to like? Beautiful weather, zero traffic.” He paused. “And for the most part, nice neighbors, too.”
“I’ve heard that,” she said. “In fact, I know the vet here in town might even make an emergency house call now and then. Can’t find that in the city.”
“No, I don’t suppose you would.” He motioned over his shoulder. “Hey, by the way, my friends and I are heading out on the boat today. Would you like to join us?”
She squinted up at him. “I would, but I have to build a pen for the puppies my dog, Molly, had two nights ago. I don’t want you to have to wait for me.”
“Need some help? I’ve got some extra planks of wood and some crates in the garage. It won’t take long.”
She hesitated, then looked up with a smile. “In that case, I’d love to go.”
Travis was as good as his word. He arrived-still half-naked, to her dismay-carrying four long boards beneath his arms. After dropping those off, he jogged back to his garage. He returned with the crates, along with a hammer and a handful of nails.
Though he pretended not to notice the smell, she noticed that he put the pen together far faster than she would have imagined possible.
“You should probably line this area with newspapers. Do you have enough?”
When she nodded, he motioned toward his house again. “I’ve still got a few things to take care of, so I’ll see you in a little while, okay?”
Gabby nodded again, feeling a roiling sensation in her stomach, something akin to nervousness. Which was why, after she’d watched him enter his house and had lined the pen, she found herself standing in the bedroom, evaluating the merits of swimwear. More specifically, whether she should wear her bikini or her one-piece.
There were pros and cons to each. Normally, she would have worn her bikini. She was, after all, twenty-six and single, and even if she wasn’t a supermodel, she was honest enough to admit she liked the way she looked in a bikini. Kevin certainly did-if she even suggested that she wear a one-piece, Kevin would pout until she changed her mind. On the other hand, Kevin wasn’t around, she would be hanging out with a neighbor (guy!), and considering the size of her bikini, she might as well be wearing a bra and panties, none of which would make her feel very comfortable and all of which added up to the one-piece.
Still, her one-piece was sort of old and a little faded from chlorine and sun. Her mother had purchased it for her a few years ago, for afternoons spent at the country club (God forbid she expose herself like a harlot!). It wasn’t a particularly flattering cut, as far as one-pieces went. Instead of a high cut on her thighs, the suit was cut low on the sides, which made her legs look short and stumpy.
She didn’t want her legs to look short and stumpy. On the other hand, did it really matter? Of course not, she thought, while simultaneously thinking, Of course it did.
The one-piece, she decided. At the very least, she wouldn’t give any of them the wrong impression about her. And there were going to be kids on the boat, too. It was better to err on the conservative side than to be a bit too… exposed. She reached for the one-piece, and all at once she could hear her mother telling her that she’d made the right decision.
Tossing it back on the bed, she reached for the bikini.
Eight
You invited the new neighbor over, huh?” Stephanie asked. “What’s her name again?”
“Gabby,” Travis answered, pulling the boat closer to the dock. “She should be here any minute.” The rope tightened and then slackened as the boat was maneuvered into place. They’d just lowered it into the water and were tying it up to the dock to load the coolers.
“She’s single, right?”
“Technically. But she has a boyfriend.”
“So?” Stephanie grinned. “When have you ever let that stop you?”
“Don’t read anything into this. He’s out of town and she had nothing to do, so being the good neighbor, I invited her along.”
“Uh-huh.” Stephanie nodded. “Sounds just like you to do something honorable like that.”
“I am honorable,” he protested.
“That’s what I just said.”
Travis finished tying the boat. “But you didn’t sound like you meant it.”
“I didn’t? That’s strange.”
“Yeah, yeah. Keep it up.”
Travis grabbed the cooler and hopped in the boat.
“Umm… you think she’s attractive, don’t you?”
Travis put the cooler in place. “I guess.”
“You guess?”
“What do you want me to say?”
“Nothing.”
Travis looked at his sister. “Why do I get the feeling that this is going to be a long day?”
“I have no idea.”
“Do me a favor, okay? Go easy on her.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean. Just… let her get used to everyone before you start in on her.”
Stephanie cackled. “You do realize who you’re talking to, right?”
“I’m just saying that she might not understand your humor.”
“I promise to be on my best behavior.”
“So… you ready to go skinny-dipping?” Stephanie asked.
Gabby blinked, unsure she’d heard her right. “Excuse me?”
A minute earlier, Stephanie had walked over wearing a long T-shirt and holding a couple of beers. Handing one to Gabby, she’d introduced herself as Travis’s sister and led her to some chairs along the back deck while Travis finished up.
“Oh, not right now.” Stephanie waved. “It usually takes a couple of beers before everyone is loose enough to drop their drawers.”
“Skinny-dipping?”
“You did know that Travis is a nudist, right?” She nodded toward the slip-and-slide Travis had set up earlier. “After that, we generally go slip-and-sliding.”