“Julian,” I say, giving him a nod and a smile. “Nice to see you today.”
“Thanks for having us over.” His eyes flick down to my body and back up. I’m wearing a white two-piece swimsuit. Of course. I am at the pool, after all. My breath catches, and I’m suddenly self-conscious. I am definitely not used to that sort of attention from my son’s friends.
Did I imagine it? Maybe he just wanted to see what I had on. Yeah, I’m sure that’s what it was.
He stands, strolls over to where the guys are gathering, then sets down the large cooler he’d rolled in behind him. He peels off his shirt and tosses it to the side.
Neither Claudia nor I can help but stare at the rippling muscles of his back as he jumps into the pool with a big splash. We meet each other’s eyes again.
“Holy shit, Chelsea,” she whispers, leaning in toward me. “When did Gage’s friends grow up?”
I laugh. “Well, it’s been happening gradually for a while now, I guess.”
“And they’re, uh, eighteen?” She tries to suppress her grin.
I swat her shoulder. “Claudia! Yes, they’re eighteen.”
She arches a brow, tilting her head. “So, technically, they’re adults.”
I huff out a small laugh. “Yeah, I suppose they are.”
Watching young adults grow up is strange. I don’t feel “old.” I don’t feel much different each year, especially not compared to the stunning changes in Gage’s friends. Their attitudes, maturity, height, and build all change while I stay suspended. Static.
Maybe growing up is like climbing a steep cliff that’s topped with an enormous plateau. Once you reach adulthood, you’re on the same plane as everyone else, and then you just exist on that plane, free to watch others coming up behind you. Like a seasoned hiker at a scenic overlook.
“How well do you know Julian?” Claudia asks casually.
My cheeks heat, and I throw back the last of my wine cooler. “Not that well. He’s always here when the crew comes over.”
“Ahh,” she says, with the look of a cat who has spotted a mouse. “So, was that the first time you noticed him checking you out?”
I gasp, my eyes darting around to make sure no one heard her. “What? He didnotcheck me out.”
She looks me up and down. “He certainly did. And it’s no wonder. You’ve got a great body. Your tits are amazing.”
I’m sure my cheeks must be bright red as I stare at her, wide-eyed. “Claudia, stop. Seriously.”
She smiles, laughing at my obvious discomfort. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop. I’m just saying that it’s fun to look.”
I shake my head, sighing and gazing over at the pool. She’s not wrong. “Fair.” I lean back again in my chair and pull my shoulder-length dark hair up in a messy bun, debating whether to stay in the sun, get wet, or pull my chair into the shade.
I opt to stay in the sun, and Claudia and I spend the next hour chatting about her kids and grandkids. Apparently, her daughter-in-law has established some new rules about gifts for the kids. They have to be made of natural materials only, noplastic. We chuckle at this together. It’s a very California thing to do.
I realize we’ve finished our stash of beverages as I set down my empty bottle.
“I’ll go grab us more drinks,” I tell Claudia, throwing on my black floral knee-length robe and heading inside to the kitchen.
I’m standing in front of the fridge, enjoying the cool breeze wafting out of it. My skin has that hot, tight feeling of a sunburn, and I tilt my head back, letting the cold air soothe it. After a moment, I tuck two wine coolers under my arm then close the fridge and turn, only to jump back, startled.
Julian is standing at the other end of the long granite kitchen island in all his tanned, muscular glory. He’s shirtless, dripping wet, and staring at me. Staring with a burning intensity I haven’t seen in a man’s eyes in, well… forever.
Is he looking atmelike that? I resist the urge to turn and glance behind me.
My hand is on my chest, my heart pounding beneath it. We stay like that, frozen, for a moment.
I try not to breathe too heavily. “Julian. Hey.”
“Hey, Mrs. Owens,” he murmurs back, eyes still locked on mine.
