Betrayal

Chapter 7

Warren

It seems as if she's moving in slow motion. She's walking toward me, across the patio, and takes her towel off. Her stomach is quite toned, flat, and I can see part of the outline of her ribs. I make a concentrated effort not to look at her chest, staring at her face instead, and think of how attractive she looks. A little tired, maybe, the semi dark circles beneath her eyes a giveaway.

I've had trouble sleeping, too. She seems to be on my mind more and more.

The towel is tossed aside, onto one of the chairs, and I smile as she finally reaches me. She smiles back and I focus on her mouth for a moment. Her lips are full, pouty, and plump. Seemingly shaped like a heart, I realize.

"Are you ready?"

I blink and snap out of it. In the distance I can hear the sound of a tennis ball hitting a racket, then the ground, over and over. Rebecca has one of her friends over today, someone she's known since college, who only lives a few miles from us. They've been playing all morning.

"Yes. I'm gonna show you how to do a doggy paddle today."

"Okay."

She follows me into the water, to one of the edges in the shallow end, and we both hold onto the side. I show her how to do it by kicking my feet and she does the same.

"I look ridiculous," she says and laughs.

I laugh, too, and shake my head.

"You don't look ridiculous. It's a doggy paddle. It's a bit silly to look at, but it's good to learn."

When I think she's gotten the hang of it, when she says she has, we move on to attempting to tread water. I hold her hands while she does it and watch.

"You're doing great, Ali. You're a fast learner."

"How long do you think it'll take before I can actually swim?"

"I'm not sure. I've never taught an adult to swim. Only my children. But it took a few weeks for them. So I'm sure it won't take that long."

Truthfully, I think she'll be swimming sooner rather than later. She's getting the hang of it fast. She isn't as fearful as I had expected her to be. I enjoy doing this with her. She told me yesterday that she likes spending time with me and I feel the same way.

"How's the drawing going?"

"Good. I was up late last night doing it while Dominic slept."

"I'd love to see your progress."

"You're welcome to come see it anytime."

My smile grows and I nod.

"That's good to know. Want to try a doggy paddle without holding on to the side? I'll help you."

"Okay."

I take two pool noodles from the side and hand one to her, show her how to put it under her arms, and she watches as I demonstrate how to do it.

"It's really easy. You go ahead."

I watch her. She's smiling, while also being fiercely concentrated, and keeps looking at me.