The Choice - Nicholas Sparks [55]
“You’re teasing me.”
“Absolutely not,” he said seriously.
His gaze held hers. She had the sudden sense that he was about to kiss her, and she quickly turned away. In that moment, she was acutely aware of the sound of frogs calling from the marsh grass and crickets singing in the trees. The moon had reached its apex, casting a shimmery glow around them. Gabby moved her feet nervously in the water, knowing she should leave.
“I think my feet are getting wrinkled,” she said.
“Do you want me to get a towel?”
“No, that’s okay. But I should probably be going. It’s getting late.”
He stood and offered a hand. When she took it, she felt the warmth and strength in it. “I’ll walk you back.”
“I’m sure I can find my way.”
“Just to the bushes, then.”
At the table, she picked up her sandals and spotted Moby heading their way. He trotted up to them just as they stepped onto the grass, his tongue flapping happily. Moby circled them before charging toward the water, as if making sure nothing was hiding. He came to a stop with front paws slapping, then charged off in another direction.
“Moby is a dog with boundless curiosity and enthusiasm,” Travis observed.
“Kind of like you.”
“Kind of. Except I don’t roll in fish guts.”
She smiled. The grass was soft underfoot, and they reached the hedge a moment later. “I had a wonderful time today,” she said. “And tonight, too.”
“So did I. And thanks for the astronomy lesson.”
“I’ll do better next time. I’ll impress you with my stellar knowledge.”
He laughed. “Nice pun. Did you just think of that?”
“No, that was my teacher again. That’s what he used to say when class was ending.”
Travis shuffled his feet, then looked up at Gabby again. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Nothing really. I know I have to go to the grocery store. Why?”
“Do you want to come with me?”
“On your motorcycle?”
“I want to show you something. And it’ll be fun—I promise. I’ll even bring lunch.”
She hesitated. It was a simple question, and she knew what the answer should be, especially if she wanted to keep her life from getting complicated. “I don’t think that’s a good idea” was all she had to say, and it would be over.
She thought about Kevin and the guilt she’d felt minutes earlier, about the choice she’d made by moving here in the first place. Yet despite those things, or maybe even because of them, she found herself beginning to smile.
“Sure,” she said. “What time?’
If he seemed surprised by her answer, he didn’t show it. “How about eleven? I’ll give you a chance to sleep in.”
She raised a hand to her hair. “Well, listen, thanks again. . . .”
“Yeah, you too. See you tomorrow.”
For an instant, she thought she’d simply turn and leave. But again their eyes met and held for just a beat too long, and before she realized what was happening, Travis placed a hand on her hip and pulled her toward him. He kissed her, his lips neither soft nor hard against hers. It took an instant for her brain to register what was happening, and then she pushed him back.
“What are you doing?” she gasped.
“I couldn’t help it.” He shrugged, seeming not the least bit apologetic. “It just seemed like the right thing to do.”
“You know I have a boyfriend,” she repeated, knowing that deep down she hadn’t minded the kiss at all and hating herself for it.
“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” he said.
“It’s fine,” she said, holding up her hands, keeping him at a distance. “Just forget about it. But it’s not going to happen again, okay?”
“Right.”
“Right,” she repeated, suddenly wanting to go home. She shouldn’t have put herself in this position. She’d known what was going to happen, she’d even warned herself about it, and sure enough, she’d been right.
She turned and started through the hedge, breathing fast. He’d kissed her! She still couldn’t believe it. Though she intended to march straight to her door, making sure he realized how adamant she’d been about not wanting it to happen again, she snuck a peek over her shoulder and was mortified to realize he’d seen her. He