Noah plops his ass up on a stack of coolers, gulping down his Solo cup of beer. “He was jealous.”
“Nothing happened,” I whisper, checking that Codi and Hailey are tending to customers on the other side. “And get down from there.”
I give him a little slap on the cheek as I scold.
But he doesn’t get off, leaning in to catch my eyes. “Jared is going to kill him.”
Looking over, I see Lucas tear off his T-shirt as he glows with sweat already on the volleyball court, the muscles in his arms and chest flexing as he comes in for shots. His damphair sticks up in places and catches the wind in others, and he looks twenty again. I had my legs wrapped around that body last night. “God, I don’t care,” I breathe out with a laugh.
I’d rather not admit I’m anything like my brothers, but now I understand. When it comes to wanting someone, I can’t stop.
“Good,” Noah tells me. “Because the way he’s looking at you, he’s about ready to kidnap you and take you back to Dubai with him where you two won’t be interrupted.”
I meet my new friend’s eyes, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks as my heart picks up pace.Is Lucas really looking at me?
Noah exhales with a longing look. “I miss that feeling.”
“What feeling?”
He searches for his words. “You can’t think,” he says. “Can’t see reason. Can’t make the responsible decision you know you’re supposed to make because you don’t want to stop feeling her. You can’t.”
“How many times have you felt that?”
He’s lost in thought for a moment, then shrugs. “Not enough.”
“So what do I do next?”
Noah slides off the coolers, walks to the vendor next door, and talks to Brionne Sherwood who’s selling wrap skirts, Hawaiian shirts, and dresses. Bringing me a red-and-white-checkered sundress with spaghetti straps, he hands it to me.
I frown. It’s the same pattern as a picnic blanket I grew up with.
“Trust me,” he says.
I cock my brow. I take the dress off the hanger and start to walk it behind the booth to put into my backpack. I can wear it to Madoc’s party.
But Noah has other ideas. “Put it on now,” he shoutsafter me.
I stop, hesitating. I don’t want to be bending over or having the wind blowing up my dress.
I look out, seeing Lucas laughing and hanging his arm around Madoc, my eyes drawn to the V disappearing into his shorts. Moms, sisters, wives, college girls—they all circle the pit, watching the guys. Lucas is the only single man I see playing.
I take the dress behind the booth, pull it on, and remove my shorts and T-shirt underneath it. I let my hair down and pull out the lipstick I used on Codi. I dab a little on, already relishing the cooling breeze riding up my thighs.
Coming out from behind the booth, I notice that Noah is gone. But I feel Lucas’s eyes almost immediately.
I don’t look, just enjoying the butterflies in my chest.
Trust me, Noah had said.
About what, I’m not sure. But the day is young. I’m sure I’ll find out.
“Good job, kiddo.”
Madoc yanks me in for a kiss on my head as I try to wipe down the display tables. It’s just after four, and many people are still partying in the park, but it’s almost time to greet those who’ll be moving on to the next celebration at his place. Then, they’ll head to High Street, followed by Camp Blackhawk, and Fallstown. He holds up the last Patriotic Parfait I had, the layers of blueberries, rich cream, and strawberries half eaten.
“These were amazing,” he muses.
He’s not drunk yet, but he’s putting his weight on me, which means he’s very relaxed. Best get him home so Fallon can get some coffee in him before he faces the rest of thenight.
