No, it’s not. It’s days from now, but he doesn’t seem to be counting.
“And then you’ll be gone.”
“That’s the plan.” He smiles. “Why? You gonna miss me?”
I don’t move. I should step back, put some distance between me and the walking hard body and his six-pack—but I don’t. Instead, I hold his gaze, stubborn and steady.
Intense.
“Is that a yes—that you leave Monday?” I ask again, keeping the conversation on track.
He raises one eyebrow. “Unfortunately.”
Does that mean he wouldn’t mind staying?
Does that mean this back-and-forth between us isn’t fun and games?
Not that itmatters.
I clear my throat, pushing past the weird little flutter in my chest. “Well. I won’t get attached, then.”
Harris studies me while everyone looks on. “That sounds suspiciously like disappointment I hear in your voice.”
I scoff. “Youwish.”
“Do I?”
I blink.
My brain stutters.
He’s teasing—butnot just teasing. There’s something else there, something unspoken in the way he watches me, like he’s trying to pull a reaction out of me. Like he’s waiting to see if I’ll flinch.
I won’t.
I do what I do best—I deflect.
I scoff, rolling my shoulders back. “You’re really digging deep for that ego boost, huh?”
Harris tilts his head, smirk flickering into something unreadable. “Trying to get an honest answer out of you, that’s all.”
“Honest answer?” I huff out a laugh. “How is this: I’llmisswatching you wipe out anytime you go near the water.”
“Is that why you stopped by today?”
I inhale sharply, my brain scrambling for an excuse. A good one. A logical one.
“I’m here because someone has to make sure you don’t drown,” I say, my voice even. “There are no lifeguards in this town.”
Harris lets out a low whistle, placing a hand over his chest like I’ve wounded him. “Ouch. You really think a guy who looks likethisis gonna drown?”
Then, because he’sHarris, he gestures broadly at himself—shirtless, wet, and maddeningly smug.
And so damnsexy.
My pulse kicks up.
The air between us heavier than it was moments ago. He is stilldripping—water sliding down the length of his arm, across the line of his shoulder, tracing over the muscles in the most distracting way.
