Gary said, latching onto my hand as we rode toward the hotel. I squirmed under the feel of his palm and feigned an itch on my opposite shoulder as an excuse to break free. Then I lifted my hand to my neck and tried to massage away the aching. “I guess I’m a little tired.” I lowered my hand and leaned back against the seat. Gary squeezed my knee. “Must be from all that fresh air at the beach. I’ve heard salt air will do that sometimes. You do look tired.” Or maybe it was from the water I fell into and struggled through, I thought. “Yeah,” was all I said as I peered at the blurs of lights passing outside. Gary’s forefinger brushed my jeans softly. Still, I felt it there with excruciating clarity. “I was thinking, Kel. Maybe I’ll take tomorrow off and we can go sight-seeing together. I’m sure Debra can handle the formalities. And I’ll have my cell. She can get hold of me if she needs to.” I’m sure she can, I thought to myself. “No,”
