Breaking the Rules by Melinda Dozier

You’ve done this before, right?”
    â€œI was a swimmer, too … full scholarship.”
    â€œJason’s following your footsteps, then. You’re a great dad.”
    The tension released from his body in that moment. There was no better compliment. “Thanks. That means a lot.”
    They made it to a lookout point and stopped to use the binoculars for a few minutes. When Hope stared out at the ocean, Colin half stood between her and the machine. The breeze blew her blonde hair behind her head, feathering out in a way that made him reach out and hold the end of a strand. So soft. He bet there were other soft parts about her he could touch. Clearing his throat, he curled her hair around his finger. “Tell me something about yourself. Something no one knows.”
    Hope laughed, displaying a wide grin. “I don’t know if you’re good at keeping secrets.”
    He held his hand to his chest and nodded his head. “I’m your friend. I’m trustworthy,” he tried to give her his puppy-dog eyes, “and I really want to know.”
    â€œPersuasive, aren’t you?” She looked back out at the ocean and appeared deep in thought for a minute. “I was a musician in college.” She glanced at him quickly, as if assessing if he laughed at her or not, before darting her eyes back as if he hadn’t caught her. “My dream was to be a concert pianist. For my first year, I could’ve been. Then my dad said … ” She tilted her head down and frowned. “Well, let’s just say he didn’t approve.”
    He rubbed her arm. “But, now you’re a great principal, so that’s good.”
    â€œYeah, but I’d do anything to play in front of an audience again.” She snorted to herself. “I must sound ridiculous.”
    He stared at her for a long moment. She had turned around and leaned back on the railing, her head turned up to the sun, her eyes closed. For that moment, he could picture her sitting at a keyboard, her head turned up, as it was then, and wrap herself around music.
    He wanted to see it.
    A brilliant idea seized him. Holding up his finger, he said, “Wait a second. I know what we’ve got to do.” He grabbed her hand and dragged her behind him a few yards.
    â€œWhere are we going?” When he didn’t respond, she continued, “Colin?”
    He still didn’t answer her, but led her to the bar down the boardwalk that was owned by his old high school friend, Tucker. As he heard a giggle from Hope, a rush of adrenaline tingled through his body. He would do this for her because they were friends, but he knew deep down he wished it was enough to prove to her they could be more. He stopped at the entrance near a window and held her by both shoulders. “Stay here for a second.”
    He returned from his conversation to find Hope leaning against the wall of the entrance, her fingers tapping out a note in her smartphone. He stood in front of her and smiled.
    Straightening her back, she asked, “What’s going on?”
    Without a word, he grabbed her hand and led her to the back where a piano sat on a small stage. Letting go of her hand, he opened his arms and said, “Your wish is my command.”
    Her mouth fell open and she touched her parted lips. “Are you kidding me?”
    He shook his head and backed away. “It’s all yours.”
    At the closest table to the stage, he sat in a chair and watched Hope stroke the baby grand piano next to her. Her fingers caressed the keys, then she glanced around the room. Looking back at him, she mouthed, “I can’t.”
    He mouthed back, “Yes, you can.”
    She giggled and bit her lip. Squeezing her eyes shut, he saw her take one of her yoga deep breaths. She sat down at the piano bench, her fingers outstretched on top. After a few more breaths, she looked more at ease. Colin smiled. He couldn’t help himself. She