I shook my head, but not in denial. Just trying to clear it. Yes, I knew what she was thinking about right now. Turning back toward the ocean, I muttered, "f*****g hell."
Maddie stepped closer to me, turning and sliding her arm through mine. Then she took hold of my hand, with our arms twined together. I felt her fingers close between mine. I couldn't help but squeeze back, because it felt like the most natural gesture in the world.
After nearly a minute of silence, she called my name, "Teddy?"
"Yeah?" I responded without looking at her.
Another long pause with no words made me slowly turn my head toward her. She was staring down at the beach. Then she whispered, almost too faint for me to hear, "I really want you right now."
My breath expelled from my lungs in a rush, completely lost
