“I’m sure this one will be laid back.”
“Maybe.”
“Just be yourself. Have fun. You’re so lovable.”
“You think so because you’ve known me since we were in middle school.”
“Well, if the Wilds don’t agree with me, fuck ‘em.”
I take far too long debating with Alyssa on what to wear to dinner, so when Michael texts that he’s outside my cabin, I’m half-dressed, and my hair is undone and a mess.
Not a good start.
I toss on a pink and purple maxi dress that reaches the floor, step into a pair of cream sandals, and head for the door with a scrunchie in one hand and the other hand wrapped around my ponytail.
I grapple with the front door handle with my scrunchie-laden hand, not wanting to drop my ponytail. I fling open the door using my elbow.
My other hand’s still got my hair in an iron grip, and I’m so busy concentrating on pulling the scrunchie around my ponytail that I forget to be nervous about the man standing on my doorstep.
“Hey.”
I look up and smile. Michael’s hands are in his black pants pockets, his stance is wide and solid, and his eyes linger on mine for a beat too long to be casual.
“Hey!” I say.
I let my gaze wander from his ruggedly handsome face down to his navy t-shirt that stretches across his muscled chest. By the time I lock eyes with him again, I have butterflies in my stomach.
“You look beautiful,” he says softly.
“Thank you.” I struggle to complete my ponytail, but it’s not coming easy.
The damn scrunchie won’t go around my hair a third time. I clench my jaw with the effort.
Michael’s expression relaxes. “You okay? That looks tricky.”
“It is.” I’m breaking into a sweat as I pull on the fabric as hard as I can and finally manage to complete tying back my thick hair. “All set. Now you can tug on my ponytail,” I joke awkwardly.
The dumb joke sounds far more flirtatious coming out of my mouth than it did inside my head, and I cringe.
Michael gives me one of his rare grins.
Or at least I’ve determined they’re rare.
Maybe it’s just with me that he’s grumpy. He could be a regular Santa Claus with his family. Not with Ayden from what I gathered. But anyway, I digress.
“Do y’all have family dinners often?” I successfully exit through the open door and lock up the cabin without making a further fool of myself.
Michael rolls his broad shoulders. “Seems like it.”
We start walking toward the main house, and I enjoy the extra light of the summer sky. It’s especially warm out tonight, and I’m glad I opted for a sleeveless dress.
“There’s been a big meal or barbecue every night I’ve been here so far.”
“Wow. That sounds fun.”
“I’m not used to it,” he admits. “Back home, now that my brother’s in L.A., it’s just me and my mom.”
“Are you two close?”
