Contents
Chapter 21
Overview
After capsizing their canoe mid-makeout, West and Skylar work together to reach shore, sharing laughter that deepens their connection. Back at the house, Skylar proposes a pause as West’s kids return and her recording with Ford begins. West agrees, hiding his stronger desire, and resolves to show her his feelings patiently.
Summary
Under the overturned canoe, West confirms Skylar can swim as they both surface laughing, a freer, unguarded side of Skylar striking him. They right the canoe and swim it to shore in sync, the physical ease contrasting the charged silence after their intense makeout.
On land, West helps re-clasp Skylar’s bra, their nearness reigniting tension. They carry the canoe along the shoreline toward West’s property, trading small remarks as West wrestles with missing his kids and the comfort of having someone alongside him.
Pausing by Oliver’s favorite tree, Skylar intuits West’s homesickness and notes the kids’ return tomorrow, prompting West to consider what needs saying. They stash the canoe and head up toward the house, both trying to speak at once.
Skylar goes first: she won’t forget what happened, but she asks for a breather. With Ford’s sessions starting and West’s kids coming home, she plans to move back to the bunkhouse to protect his family space and keep her newfound creative confidence intact. She affirms West’s parenting and suggests they lean on their friendship.
West wants to say he wants more, but he swallows it and agrees, recognizing that pushing now could scare her. Alone later, he resolves to show, not tell, that what’s between them is different, even with a busy, kid-filled week ahead.
Who Appears
- WestNarrator; rescues the canoe moment, helps Skylar to shore, agrees to pause but secretly commits to proving their connection.
- Skylar StoneLaughs off the capsize, works with West, sets boundaries before Ford sessions and kids’ return, moves back to bunkhouse to protect space.