Page 49 of Torin

I follow her up.

She’s laughing when I break the surface beside her.

“I’m beginning to understand why you and Orson live in the wilderness.”

“Gunnar lives here too.”

“Is he normal?”

“Not even a little.”

She laughs again, then rolls onto her back.

One moment she’s trying to beat me at everything; the next she’s floating quietly, arms loose at her sides, her face turned toward the sun.

I tread water a few feet away and watch her.

She floats with her eyes closed, a small smile on her face.

I could watch her like this all afternoon.

“Try it.”

I realize she’s opened her eyes.

“Try what?”

“Floating.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Bears don’t float.”

“You’re not a bear right now.”

“I’m always a bear.”

She studies me for a second. “You can’t float, can you?”

“I can float.”

“Prove it.”

I look at her.

She grins.

There is absolutely no chance I’m rolling onto my back naked in front of Hannah with the effect she’s having on me.

“I don’t perform on command.”

“Uh-huh.”

She closes her eyes again, looking unbearably pleased with herself.

I let her have that one.