Part 6 (1/2)

Tyler was standing on the end of the wharf, leaning over the railing and looking down at the water. The afternoon sun glinted off his hair, and as Annie walked toward him she wished she could have a picture of him just standing there, staring out over the ocean.

Hey, she said when she reached him.

Tyler turned around and smiled at her. Hey.

Annie leaned against the railing beside Tyler, purposefully not letting her arm touch his. The two of them stood there silently, looking at the water for what seemed to Annie like the longest minute in the world.

Sorry again about waking you up last night, Tyler said.

Really, it was okay, Annie said. I wasnt really sleeping. I was just listening to the rain.

I love hearing the rain on the roof, Tyler said. Especially at night. And its even better in a tent. A couple of summers ago we went to this big pagan gathering where we stayed in tents. It rained a lot, and it was great hearing it outside while we were inside, dry. Do you like camping?

Um, Ive never really been, Annie answered. Why was Tyler going on about camping? she wondered.

Not that she minded hearing him talk or anything, but he seemed to be rambling. It wasnt like him at all.

The ocean is really beautiful right now, Tyler said.

Annie nodded but didnt say anything. Had Tyler asked her to meet him just to talk about rain and the ocean? He didnt seem to be in any hurry to tell her why he had called her. Did he just want to hang out?

That was okay, but hed said that he had something he wanted to talk to her about.

What are your Thanksgiving plans? Tyler asked her.

Mr. Dunning and Becka are coming, she told him. But she was sure that shed already told Tyler that.

Had he forgotten?

He nodded. Were doing the usual coven get-together, he said. It should be fun.

Okay, Annie thought. This is weird. Is he ever going to tell me whats up? Then a horrible thought occurred to her. What if Tyler had brought her there to tell her that he didnt think they should hang out so much? What if hed decided that her obvious crush on him was too much? Maybe thats why he was acting all strange around her. Her heart sank. That was it. He was going to tell her to back off. Well, she would save him the trouble.

Ive been thinking . . . she began, but at the same time Tyler turned to her and said exactly the same thing. They looked at one another for a moment and then laughed.

They both paused, looking at each other. What have you been thinking? Annie asked, unable to stand him staring at her that way.

Ive been thinking, Tyler began again. But again he stopped.

Here it comes, Annie told herself, preparing to hear Tyler tell her that their hanging out together was a bad idea. But still he didnt say anything. He just stood there, looking at her. She tried to look away from his golden eyes, but she found herself looking right into them, wondering what Tyler was thinking about.

He opened his mouth to say something and then stopped. Finally he said, Ive been thinking that sometimes I think too much.

Then he leaned forward and kissed her. Annie didnt have time to think about it. One moment she was staring into Tylers eyes and the next his mouth was on hers. Before she could register any of it he had pulled away and was standing there looking at her, his hands gripping her arms.

Was she dreaming again, or had Tyler just kissed her? It had all happened so quickly that she wasnt even positive that she hadnt imagined it all. All she could do was stand there feeling slightly dizzy as Tylers beautiful golden eyes searched her face.

Im sorry, he said, dropping his hands and stepping back. That was way out of line.

Annie shook her head, still unable to speak. She wanted to tell him that it wasnt out of line, that she had wanted him to do it. But her thoughts were all jumbled together. This was Tyler. It wasnt just some guy.

It was her best friends boyfriend. He wasnt supposed to be kissing her. He was supposed to be telling her that he didnt want to see so much of her.

Im just going to go now, Tyler said. Well just pretend that I didnt do that, okay?

He was backing away, a hurt and confused look on his face. Annie, stunned, could only watch him and shake her head. She wanted to speak, but her voice was locked inside of her.

No, she whispered hoa.r.s.ely as Tyler continued to go. No.

Tyler was moving away from her now. He turned around and started to walk more quickly. He was leaving. She couldnt let that happen.

No! she called out, forcing the sound from her throat.

She ran after Tyler. Hearing her call out, he turned around. Annie ran to him and stopped just in front of him. She was afraid to touch him, in case he pulled away, so she just looked into his eyes.

Annie, Im sorry, he said. I didnt mean to”

Then why did you? she asked.

Tyler looked away for a moment, then looked back. I think about you all the time, he said. I try not to, but I do.

Annie felt her lip beginning to tremble. She bit it so that she wouldnt do something dumb, like cry.

I know Im not supposed to think about you like this, Tyler continued. And to tell the truth, Im not exactly sure why I do . Ever since you kissed me that night at the bus stop. Or maybe even before that.

He stopped and took a deep breath. Wow, he said. This is really hard.

He reached out and took Annies hands in his, holding them tightly. They were standing very close together. Annie hoped he would hug her again, but she was terrified that if she stepped into his arms he would pull away from her. She wouldnt be able to bear that. She just knew it.

I dont know what to do about this, Annie, Tyler said gently. I really dont.

What do you want to do about it? she asked him.

Tyler shook his head. I dont think I can answer that, he told her. Not right now. Im really confused.

Annie nodded. I know how that feels, she said.

All I know right now is that I really like spending time with you, said Tyler. You make me feel comfortable, and your friends.h.i.+p means more to me than I can tell you. Youre smart and youre funny and” His eyes shone in the sun as he looked at her and smiled. And I think youre really beautiful, he added.

Annies heart was beating wildly as she listened to Tyler talk. It was just like her fantasy, only better.

She couldnt believe it. Was he really saying all of those wonderful things to her? Was he really holding her hands and looking at her with those gorgeous eyes of his?