“I didn’t bring my swimsuit,” she replies, her expression unreadable.
For the first time today, I second guess myself. Then I figure…Go big or go home, right?
I shrug. “Neither did I. I figure I’ll just wear my shorts.”
She bites her lip and makes me wait. When a warm grin slowly appears, I know she’s more than up for the suggestion.
Before I can say another word, she jumps to her feet and quickly removes her boots before stripping down until she’s left in a black sports bra and bright blue underwear just like her pink ones.
“Last one in is a rotten egg,” she teases, shooting me a wink before she rushes to the water’s edge and dives in.
I sit there frozen, my eyes glued to her gorgeous, freckled skin before it disappears under the surface. Moments later, shepops back up out of the water. “C’mon, Dr. Cooper. What are you waiting for?
Ain’t that the question of the day.
WhatamI waiting for? I’m starting to think it’s been Blair all along.
After spending a good twenty minutes in the water, we get out and get started on the packed lunch I brought consisting of egg salad sandwiches and fruit salad.
Once we’ve finished, we lay out on the blanket and let the sun do what our lack of towels can’t.
“You sure you didn’t plan on swimming?” she says from beside me. I turn my head to find her arm slung over her eyes.
“Nope. Why do you ask?”
She arches a brow. “It would be a great ruse, don’t you think? ‘Let’s go on a hike. Oh, it’ssohot. We should go for a swim. Don’t worry about a swimsuit. I promise I won’t look,” she says with a laugh.
I snort. “Maybe if I was a creep or a serial killer.”
Her lips twitch up, drawing my attention to them. “Just so we’re clear, you’re not either, right?”
“Maybe I should add that to our accommodation bookin’ info. ‘We solemnly swear we are not serial killers or creeps’.”
“That’ll get youallthe bookings.” She smiles and for a moment I lose my train of thought, my mind drifting back to how I’d see the same expression on her face across the quad. Yet right now, instead of causing me anxiety, I’m relaxed and focused on staying in the moment.Thismoment, withher.
Comfortable silence falls between us, the sounds of nature and the gentle lapping of water against the shore filling the air.
“Can I ask you something?” Blair asks after a while.
“I think at this point—havin’ already seen each other in our underwear—we’re past any awkwardness,” I quip.
A devilish grin tugs at the corner of her mouth. She turns on her side to face me, propping her head up with her hand. “Maybe we should’ve just streaked across the quad in college, then we could’ve had our first date back then.”
I can’t help the laugh that bursts out of me at that thought—and the image. “You know, you might be right.”
She smirks. “I usually am.”
“Oh really?” I chuckle. “I’ll have to remember that.”
“You really should. I tell everyone it just makes life easier.” She sighs melodramatically until she joins me and laughs.
“Idefinitelydidn’t look the same back then.”
She doesn’t hide the fact she drags her gaze down my body and back up again and damn if that doesn’t make me shiver. “I can honestly say that if youdid, I definitely would’ve noticed you.”
“Good to know,” I say, unable to hide how much I like hearing that. Then I remember what started this conversation. “Anyway, back to your question…”
“It’s going to sound crazy now.”
