He swings a smirk at me. “I’ll see you later?”
An exasperated sigh leaves me. “Yes. I’ll be the cute one, so don’t go mistaking anyone else for me.”
He pretends to be offended, pinning me to the bed with a grin. “I’d never. You think anyone else has tits as nice as yours?”
I savor his kiss as the last one I’ll get until late tonight, after the town-wide party’s over.
Heston Lake’s annual Fourth of July barbecue is open to all residents. The beach is dotted with picnic blankets and camping chairs. Younger kids race around, splashing at the edge of the water while older ones dive from the dock anchored deeper from shore. Music plays on the speaker system. The savory aroma of grilling meat wafts through the humid air. It’s a fantastic atmosphere.
I’m chilling with Jess, Lauren, Julia, and Caroline on beach chairs my family brought. I tip my face into the sun and clink my fruity hard seltzer against Caroline’s.
“So,” Julia drawls. “How arethings?”
I smirk at her emphasis, matching it. “Things are fantastic.”
I wave to Mr. Boucher and his twins when they arrive with Alex Keller. He has his arm around Lainey, accepting congratulations from people about his NHL draft pick. If anyone hasn’t already heard, Theo boasts about his teammate’s achievement.
They make their way over to us.
“Hey, Eve.” Theo bumps my fist when I hold it out for him.
“Where’s your dad?” Mr. Boucher asks.
I push my sunglasses onto my head and scan the party. “Over there with Mr. Cannon and Steve, manning the grill.”
Mr. Boucher heads over. Theo sprawls on the blanket while Alex and Lainey stroll down the beach. I nudge him with my foot.
“Enjoying your summer?”
“I’m eager to get back on the ice instead of waiting tables for dad,” he says.
“What, am I not fun to work with?” I pretend to pout. “I thought we had the bond of friendship and teamwork.”
Theo snorts. “Yeah, yeah.”
Cole and Benson come back from the water’s edge, playfully wrestling each other. Cole wins, trapping Benson in a headlock and ruffling his hair. Benson breaks free with a grunt, going to kiss his wife while Cole takes the empty seat next to me.
His foot inches closer until we’re touching. While my brother’s distracted, his eyes rake over me before meeting mine, darkening with desire. I stretch my arms overhead for his benefit, the lightweight plaid shirt knotted at my stomach opening more to show off my bikini top.
“Evie,” he mutters low enough for my ears only.
“I’m starving,” Benson says. “Did we run out of chips and dip already?”
“Five girls left alone with snacks? That would be yes,” Lauren says.
I swirl my can, judging I have less than half left. “Anyone need another drink?”
“Yes, thanks,” Caroline says.
“You’re a peach,” Julia chimes in.
“I’ll come with you.” Cole helps me to my feet.
I adjust my snug shorts so my thighs don’t chafe and follow him. We don’t make it far before some of the girls we went to high school with recognize us. One of them is a year younger than me and one was in the same class as him with Benson.
“Cole, I heard you were back in town,” Marie says.
He offers them a polite smile, sticking close to my side without being obvious. “Yeah, for a while now. How are you?”
