The Broken Lake by Shelena Shorts Read Free Book Online Page A

we hovered over one particular box which was sitting right on top.
    “What’s in all of these?”
    He shrugged. “Some things of Dr. Thomas’, some of my mother’s belongings, and this one is yours.”
    Remembering my hasty mistake of previously jumping into his 1963 Mustang, I decided on a more subtle approach. “What’s in there?” I asked.
    “Just some things you used to keep at my house.”
    Now my curiosity was killing me. “Let me see.”
    Without further delay, he lifted the top to reveal a combination of yellow, pink, red, and pale blue fabrics.
    Yikes, Lenny.
    “Oh, my,” I said out loud.
    I stepped closer to the box and he moved aside to give me plenty of space. It was sort of creepy, because the items were from someone who was both missing in the flesh and standing there in the body. After taking a deep breath, I bent down and pulled out the first item. Pale blue bell-bottom slacks. Suddenly, creepy images were replaced by a
Brady Bunch
episode.
    “Wes, please tell me I didn’t wear these.”
    He laughed and reached into the box. “Yeah, you did. With this.”
    He held up a baby-blue and white horizontal-striped long-sleeved shirt. I cringed.
    “Sophie, you looked really good in this. Trust me.”
    “If you say so.” Next, I reached in and picked up some pajamas. Pale yellow pants and matching sleeveless top. Not too bad, other than the pleated seam going across the chest. Then it registered. “You mean I stayed with you?”
    “Sometimes.”
    I smiled deviously, plotting how I could continue with tradition. A few more cute but like-to-forget garments later, I came to a bikini, a skimpy yellow two-piece that tied in the center of the chest and the matching bottom which tied at the hips.
    I’d certainly worn two-pieces before, but I preferred something a little more sporty now. “I don’t guess they did sporty in the sixties?” I asked.
    “Not really,” he answered. “I have a T-shirt if you want to swim in that.”
    Our eyes locked and the oddness of the moment was building. I was starting to see regret in his eyes, as if he wished he hadn’t suggested I swim half naked. Then I started thinking about seeing him in his trunks and I instinctively licked my lips.
    “I’ll go get you a T-shirt to—”
    “No, don’t. This is good. I like it.”
    And at that instant, I decided this would be a good time to start working on his clarity. As if he could read my mind, his shoulders dropped, and he cleared his throat. His eyes confirmed he regretted the suggestion.
    I smiled and stood up. “Where can I change?”

Chapter 5
     
FIFTEEN MINUTES
     
    I almost didn’t want to look at myself in the mirror, afraid I’d chicken out at flaunting it around, but then couldn’t resist. Aside from the fact that I was lacking my summer tan, I wasn’t bad. I smiled slightly and then adjusted my cleavage for added effect before turning for the door.
    I came out in just my bathing suit only to be greeted by a wall of terry cloth.
    “Are you ready?” he asked, wrapping it around me.
    “Yes.” I frowned as I was being transformed into a burrito.
    “Good. Let’s go.”
    I followed him toward the pool room, wondering how I ended up in this position. I had come over to settle a major concern, and was now plotting on how to intimately provoke him.
I am so shallow.
I rolled my eyes at myself, glad he was behind me, and then remembered this was his suggestion. Swim, clear our heads, is what he said.
So
, I thought,
let’s swim.
    I dropped my towel as soon as we entered the warm room, and walked over to the pool. I might have even attempted a little hip movement on my way, but my mind turned to mush as soon as I turned around and saw he’d removed his shirt. Sweat seeped out of my pores as I pictured myself being able to feel his perfect, smooth chest against my almost bare body.
    He walked over to me cautiously, never blinking his inviting eyes. “You look unbelievably good in that bathing suit.”
    The