Page 82 of Into Pitch

“I don’t understand how you’re meant to not try.”

I lean against the railing and watch him, really watch him; the tension in his shoulders and the way his jaw sets in determination.

“You don’t make it happen. You just have to let it.” I shrug.

He frowns at the lake. “That seems inefficient.”

“Should probably let the fish know that then.”

It’s comical watching him wait here in the silence. Wind brushing the surface of the water, sunlight breaking through the mist in soft shards. Somewhere behind us, a bird calls. All of it so out of place from the office he spends his time in—or Pitch.

“You’re overthinking,” I murmur after I watch him stand board straight for near five minutes straight.

“I don’t know how not to.”

I soften before I can stop myself. “You don’t have to do anything right now.”

And as if sensing that I just pointed out that he can relax, the bobber dips. Alex effectively stiffens and jerks the rod back so fast he nearly hits himself with it. Pulling up nothing at all.

He looks so dejected that I don’t know—he almost seems normal. And normal is an entirely different look on Alex. I can’t help the fit of laughter that breaks through me as he turns to me, one brow arched.

“I am so glad you are having the time of your life while I suffer.”

“You are not suffering by a long shot.” I laugh.

He turns back to the water again and decides to ignore my immense amusement, I guess. Now focused in a different way with the pressure of catching something settling on his shoulders.

It takes me a bit, but I manage to wrangle all the laughter into a proper place in my chest before continuing my instruction. Who would ever think that I would be teaching the great doctor Alex something?

“Now,” I murmur and he pulls the line, not quite as hard this time.

I watch as the rod bends and his eyes widen just enough to show that he might actually find excitement in the mundane.

“Steady, now guide it.” I purr as I step closer.

The fish breaks the surface, silver and thrashing, and Alex lets out a surprised laugh before he can stop himself.

The sound hits me like a punch.

I freeze, because that laugh?

It’s open and so very real.

He reels the fish in carefully, concentration etched across his face. When he finally lifts it free of the water, he looks… stunned.

“I did it,” he breathes.

“You did.”

He glances at me and smiles. A warm, bright smile that has nothing to do with manipulation or mind games, and everything to do with joy. And it’s devastating in both the best and worst ways. It’s the kind of smile that spells my doom in glorious red letters. And my world tilts for it.

After I regain my composure, we release the fish back into the water. Standing shoulder to shoulder as we watch it disappear beneath the surface. The ripples fading until the lake is still once more.

“This is not unpleasant,” Alex sighs.

“High praise, doctor.”

He looks down to me and I offer him a slight smile, just enough to let him know that right now we aren’t fighting. And that yes, I am having a good time.