For Nick by Taylor Dean

to.”
    Andie wondered what would happen now. Would they just become good friends? Was that it? Last night was much more than a perfunctory consummation of a marriage and she knew it. The question was, did he? Did he feel anything? For all she knew he was simply making it ‘comfortable’ for both of them. Doubts were beginning to kick in.
    “Well,” Zach remarked, when Janine left the room, “The awkward part is over. Now we can relax and just have fun together.”
    Andie nodded, her heart suddenly in her throat. Last night had been anything but awkward. She was letting herself become carried away with emotions. It was time to rein it in, get control of herself. No romantic entanglements , she reminded herself sternly. At least he wasn’t escaping to his office for the afternoon. What a slap in the face that would have been. At least he still wanted to spend time with her.
    Still, he seemed to be keeping his distance. Since breakfast had begun, he hadn’t touched her once. Of course, that was the bargain, he was just keeping his word. So they’d let things happen more than once during the night, at least it had been consensual and it hadn’t been uncomfortable or awful.
    Time to move on.
    Andie had to admit she found herself feeling a little disappointed. Maybe a lot.
    “I hope you’re not upset with the events of last night,” he mentioned with worry evident in his features.
    “No…I’m not upset.” Just confused, a little frightened, and yet … I want more.
    “I was under the impression it was what we both wanted.” He seemed overly concerned about what she was thinking and feeling.
    “It was.” What else could she say? Maybe their lovemaking had not been awkward, but this conversation certainly was. “Let’s go,” she said to avoid the subject altogether.
    And off they went.

-9-
    Zach and Andie packed for the day and hiked down to the boat, which was actually a small yacht, kept in a boathouse near the dock closest to the summer home.
    They motored out onto the lake, meandering about, taking in the magnificent scenery. The lake was a deep blue, which contrasted spectacularly with the deep green of the pine trees.
    Zach seemed to have loosened up a bit as he began to tell her stories from his childhood summers spent on the lake. He maneuvered the boat deftly, yet slowly, as he spoke, his eyes in another time. Andie lounged on the comfortable couch that lined one side of the front of the boat, letting the wind ruffle her hair as she listened to Zach.
    “There was this older kid who spent his summers nearby who was the biggest bully I’ve ever met. My friend and I got into it with him one year and I gave him a bloody nose. Blood was everywhere and it scared the heck out of me. I thought maybe I’d killed him.” He chuckled softly. “I’ve always had a serious phobia of blood and doctors and hospitals or anything medical and the experience only made it worse. But don’t tell anyone or I’ll deny it. It’s my one true secret, something I never tell anyone.”
    “Seriously?”
    “I’m not exaggerating.”
    Andie wasn’t exactly sure what he meant by that or if he was being totally serious or not. “I have a fear of clowns,” she offered. “I think they’re the creepiest things I’ve ever seen.”
    “Touché,” he said softly. Then he began to reminisce again. “See that hillside over there? Me and my buddy nearly burned it down one year. We were messing around with firecrackers and the grass caught fire. I thought my dad was going to disown me, he was so mad.” Zach seemed to remember he was speaking out loud. “Sorry, this place brings out a lot of memories for me.”
    “It’s okay, I like hearing about your childhood.”
    Zach steered the boat into a small cove and anchored it in place. He paused and gazed upon her for a few moments. The sunlight was on his face and the wind tousled his hair. “Do…do you mind if I sit with you?” He was hesitant. It was as if you could see