Learning To Trust Again

Rebecca gave him a small smile, ‘I don’t know. The same as anyone I guess. Spend time with friends and family.’

‘And when you’re not doing that?’ he said.

She shrugged ‘I like to read and go for walks. I love stage shows and I’ve just recently taken up kayaking. I’m not very good at it yet, but I’m improving. What about you? What do you do in your time off, when you aren’t rescuing people in trouble that is?’ she teased.

Acknowledging her joke with a crooked smile he said ‘I run and play pool. I also ride motor bikes when I can.’

‘Hmm, well not many similarities there’ she said in a light tone, hiding the fact that she felt more than a little despondent that they didn’t seem to have anything in common.

But giving her a proper smile this time, Jake said ‘no but if you can stretch to playing pool, I can do kayaking.’

Her smile widening, feeling elated by his offer of a compromise Rebecca tried to contain her excitement. She hoped there was more behind the remark than just politeness as she nodded in agreement. ‘Deal’ she said. ‘I don’t know if I can play pool though, I’ve never tried, but I’m happy to give it a go.’

‘Doesn’t matter’ he said. ‘I could teach you.’

‘I’d like that’ she said, her heart rate picking up at the thought.

‘Cool’ he said but looking at his watch, he added ‘I’ve got to go.’ Quickly finishing his coffee, he stood up and set his mug on the table.