4.Danny

I steer the boat down the bayou, pointing out the best fishing spots along the way. Jane listens intently, her eyes wide as if she's impressed with my knowledge. She's refreshing— different from anyone I've met out here. City people don't usually stick around long, but Jane... Jane might be different.

We arrive at my favorite fishing spot, a quiet bend in the bayou where the water is calm and the catch are plenty. I drop anchor and turn to her, grinning. "Alright, this is it. The fish here are practically begging to be caught."

She laughs, a light, soft sound that makes me smile even wider. "I'll believe it when I see it."

I move closer, taking her fishing rod and showing her how to bait the hook properly this time. Our hands brush, and I take a deep breath, catching the scent of her hair. It's sweet, like juicy oranges, and it's a welcome change from the usual swamp smells. "You're doing great," I say quietly, looking into her eyes.

"Thanks," she murmurs, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "I'm actually pretty glad you're here to help."

"See?" I smirk. "No need to be so defensive."

She scowls at me, but then hums in agreement and I bet that if she just lets things unfold naturally, I'll have her purring in no time.

We cast our lines and settle in, the silence between us comfortable. I find myself watching her more than the water. She's got this sweet stubbornness about her, a determination that's both amusing and endearing. She's trying so hard to fight for herself, and I admire that.

As we wait for the fish to bite, we talk about everything and nothing. She tells me about her life, her stressful job, and the boss she needed a break from. But at the same time, she's careful about what she tells me as if she doesn't want to say too much. I try to get her to open up some more, by sharing a couple of stories of growing up in the bayou, the adventures and misadventures that come with living in such a wild place.

"Sounds like you've had quite the life out here," she says, her eyes sparkling with something obscure.

"It's not as glamorous as what you're probably used to but I like it," I reply, chuckling. "What about you? You seem like you've got a story or two."

She hesitates, a shadow crossing her face. "Yeah, I guess you could say that. But that's for another time."

There it is again. That feeling that she's hiding something. A secret she's not ready to share. I want to press, to ask her what's bothering her, but I hold back. She'll tell me when she's ready.

A sudden tug on my line pulls me from my thoughts. "Got one!" I shout, reeling in the fish. Jane watches with wide eyes, clapping when I pull a decent-sized fish out of the water.

"That's impressive," she says, her smile genuine.

"Your turn," I reply, handing her the rod. "I'll help you."

I move behind her, guiding her hands on the rod. Our bodies are close, and I can feel her warmth seeping into mine. I'm being forward, I know but at the same time I don't care. She's tense at first, but then she relaxes, leaning into me slightly. I can't help but notice how good she feels, how right it seems to be here with her.

"Just like that," I murmur, my lips close to her ear. "You're doing great."

She shivers slightly, and I hope it's not just the breeze. She follows my instructions, and soon enough, she's got a fish on the line. She laughs in delight as she reels it in, her face glowing with excitement and my heart squeezes.

"I did it!" she exclaims, holding up the fish.

"You sure did," I say, grinning. "Told you the fish here were easy."

We spend the next few hours like this, fishing, laughing, and talking. Every now and then, I find an excuse to touch her—a guiding hand on her back, a brush of our fingers as we pass the bait. Each touch sends a jolt through me, and I can tell she feels it too because each time I feel that jolt, her lids flutter and a flush spreads on her face.

When the sun starts to set, casting a golden glow over the bayou, I realize just how much I like her. More than I expected. More than I've liked anyone in a long time. But I can't shake the feeling that she's got a secret, something she's not ready to share yet. It doesn't matter that much, I'm willing to wait.

Besides, I'll coax it out of her. One way or another.