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“Yes!” he exclaimed.
We laughed, but I noticed that neither of us had pulled away. The sunlight shone through the window behind him, picking up the lighter blond streaks in his hair and I was completely mesmerized by the thick, dark lashes that framed his blue eyes. Without thinking, I reached my hand out to smooth the hair out of his face, wanting to see all of him. Zach jerked away as if he’d been burned and I saw the mixture of heat and confusion in his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I just…” I stopped, unsure of how to finish that sentence. I just wanted to touch you? I just wanted to see the real you? I just want to learn everything about you? None of those were appropriate after only knowing each other a couple days, and all of them would surely send him running.
“I just thought I saw an eyelash hanging and I didn’t want it to go in your eye,” I said instead.
“Oh. Well, thanks,” he murmured as he settled back into his chair.
“So, what is the prize if someone catches Moby Dick?” I asked, trying to get us back on solid ground. It seemed to work because Zach’s shoulders visibly relaxed.
“About five thousand dollars,” he answered.
“You’re kidding me,” I said, nearly spitting my drink out.
Zach laughed at the expression on my face. “I’m totally serious.”
“But, it’s a fish,” I exclaimed, shaking my head.
“Nooo, it’s not a fish. Moby Dick is the fish,” he laughed, thoroughly enjoying himself.
“I guess I just don’t get it. Of course, I’ve never fished before so maybe that’s why I can’t understand the draw,” I told him.
His jaw dropped. “You’ve never fished before?” He stared at me as if I’d grown two heads.
“Hey! I grew up in Boston, not Mayberry,” I said, pretending to pout.
I watched as he threw his head back and laughed. I wasn’t sure what it was about the sound of his laughter, but something warm unfurled inside my belly and I suddenly felt like the king of the world for having been the one to make him laugh.
We finished eating and then went back to work, slowly making our way around the lake, repairing and painting each table. We continued working for several hours, and it was dark by the time we finished the last table. We worked quietly as we put everything away and washed out the paint brushes, each of us lost in our own thoughts. When we were done, we walked around the lake towards our cabins and I let out a yawn.
“Tired?” Zach said with a chuckle.
“Yeah. I didn’t sleep very well last night. I’m not used to all the quiet,” I admitted.
“Well, get some rest. We’ll have another busy day tomorrow,” he warned.
“Looking forward to it,” I told him, sincerely.
We slowed as we neared Zach’s cabin. “I’m glad you’re here,” he said.
“You are?” I asked, my head whipping in his direction so quickly, I was surprised I didn’t hurt my neck.
“I sure am. I had to do this all by myself last year.” He looked at me then and I could see the mischievous sparkle in his eyes and the smirk lifting the corner of his lips.
With that, he turned and started walking towards his cabin. Something fluttered inside my chest and I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face as I walked in the opposite direction towards my own cabin. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear that Zach was warming up to me. It wasn’t much, but it was a start in the right direction. I couldn’t deny that my happiness had nothing to do with the assignment I was on and everything to do with my own desire to get closer to the man who had just walked away.
