“Well, well, well,” she said, pushing herself off the frame. “The man, the myth, the football legend himself. Damn, you’re even better looking in real life.”
“Hi,” I said over a scoff, impressed she didn’t call it soccer.
She grinned, stepping past me without waiting for an invitation. “Relax, big guy. I’m not here for you.”
Walter, with a box of prunes in his hand, let out a chuckle. “I like this one.”
A chuckle and openly admitting he liked her? I should take notes from her, too.
“How are you, Walter? How are you two treating my Rio?” She threw herself onto a stool at the kitchen counter, her expression full of amusement.
At that moment, Rio came down the stairs. In a pair of denim cutoffs and a blue tee, she nearly took my breath away.
She skidded to a stop when she spotted Ruby. “Oh, shit.”
“Yeah,oh, shit,” Ruby echoed, narrowing her eyes playfully. “Why aren’t you dressed? And why do you look surprised to see me? It’s our regular night.”
“I ...” Rio bit her lip, then snuck a glance at me, realization dawning in her eyes. Her cheeks flushed. “It completely flew out of my head.”
“Mm-hmm,” Ruby said, not missing the glance and color change.
How Rio managed to keep a secret from her brother all these years was beyond me. At this moment, I was willing to bet that even Walter could read her like an open book.
“Well, I’m here, and you’re coming with me. Daphne and Evangeline are already at Shore Thing. Go get dressed.”
“Oh, it’s everyone tonight? I thought maybe it’d just be us.”
“I texted you,” Ruby said pointedly. “You said it was great.”
“Yeah. I love them.”
“Then get moving.”
Rio hesitated before heading back upstairs, throwing a final glance at me before disappearing up the stairs.
“So, Walter, which of your plants is your favorite these days? The purple Ice Plant you gave me flourishes in the back garden of the inn.”
The memory crept in before I could stop it. The Coral Bay Inn. Ruby’s family owned the place where Simon’s wedding was held.
Minutes later, Rio returned in a dress that made my throat go dry. Short. Fitted. Hugging curves that I’d memorized under my hands.
I forced myself to school my expression.
Ruby tossed her curls. “Alright, let’s go before Daph and Eve start texting.”
As Rio passed me, she let her fingers brush against mine in a fleeting, secret touch. One that sent a hot coil through my chest and from there down my body.
Then she was out the door.
And I stood there, probably looking like the trained chameleon I was—aloof. But inside I felt a twinge, like I was watching something slip right through my fingers.
29
Rio
“DID YOU SEE THE WAYhe looks at you?” Ruby asked the moment we stepped out of the house.
I didn’t reply.
