Annie lounged in the shallow end of the pool, sipping her drink and laughing. She wore that damn hot pink bikini I’d seen that morning, with those ties that only make you think of untying them. My fingers were itchy at the sight of them. Sunscreen made her skin have this gorgeous sheen, her freckles looking darker.
The guys were just back from our golf outing, passing the pool to consult with the girls on timing for the rest of the day’s events.
Mikey cackled. “Let’s go get ‘em.”
He stripped off his shirt as he ran toward the pool, tossing his phone, shoes, and socks aside just before he got to the water’s edge.
“CANNONBALL!”
The girls collectively flinched as a ball of Mikey hit the water, making a massive splash.
“BENNY!” and “MICHAEL!” were heard at the same time, from Jessie and Kitty respectively.
“My hair, Michael!” Kitty followed up.
A lifeguard tweeted her whistle. “You can’t wear street clothes in the pool!”
Mikey bent to remove his shorts, just down to his underwear, holding them over his head with a flourish before tossing them poolside.
“Oh my God, Benny,” Jessie said, covering her face and shaking her head.
“You love me,” he cooed, tugging her into his arms and kissing all over her neck.
Guy also stripped to his underwear and ran to the pool but stopped just before jumping in to carefully lower himself into the water. No splash. Kitty clearly appreciated the move. With the two of them occupied, it left Annie on the side with no one to talk to.
“Psst. Hey,” I said, crouching at the edge of the pool.
She grinned and waded my way, putting her hands on the cement. “You not stripping and getting in?”
I sighed. “I want to. It’s hot enough.”
She rubbed her lips together and licked them, a movement that somehow went straight below my belt. “What’s stopping you?”
I glanced around, considering that, then stood to take off my shirt, shoes, and shorts. I carefully folded them and put them on a deck chair, not as devil-may-care as my friends. I returned to where she stood and sat, slipping into the cool water.
“That’s disappointing,” Annie said.
I gestured to my body. “Sorry?”
“No. I expected a full belly flop out of you,” she teased. “The rest is . . . not bad.” Her smile was heart-stopping as she shrugged.
“Not bad, huh?” I paused, staring into her eyes as we studied each other. “Ooh, uh, you’re getting a little burn.”
She touched her nose. “Shoot. Was trying not to have that happen before the big day.”
I took off my hat and placed it on the top of her head. “I got you.”
“Here.” She held it out for me to take while she disassembled her messy bun, twisting the length behind her head and reaching for my hat again. She tucked her hair into the back of the hat. “Thanks.”
“Yeah. Anytime.”
I realized how quiet the pool had gotten and found everyone in our bunch staring at us. Annie noticed, too, idly swishing her hands on the top of the water.
“Who won?”
“Uh, won what?” I asked.
“Golf.”
