That pulsed in the room between us, a heat that was growing bigger by the minute.
The drive into Tidehaven took fifteen minutes, and I spent the entire way watching the mirrors.
One car stayed behind us longer than I liked, a white sedan that held through two turns before it turned off toward the marina.
Lucy had the window cracked as she watched the shrimp boats come in along the waterfront, their hulls low and rust-streaked, nets folded back.
The town was already awake. Tourists gathered on the sidewalks, and buskers were playing on the pier next to the fishermen who’d been out here since before dawn.
Lucy hummed lightly under her breath, and I wanted to ask if that was the new tune she planned to record today. But it wasn’t my place, so I kept my mouth shut.
The car felt small, and when she shifted in her seat to point out seagulls dive-bombing a family on the waterfront her bare leg brushed the edge of the console. I moved my hand off it without making it obvious.
Last night I’d crossed a line with her, and I didn’t intend to let it happen again.
“You’re doing it again,” she said.
“Doing what?”
“That thing where you look at everything except the road.”
“I’m watching the road,” I rumbled.
“You’re watching the road and the mirrors and that guy on the corner and the truck that just pulled out of the gas station.” She tilted her head. “You’re verybusyfor someone who’s supposed to look relaxed.”
“Iamrelaxed.”
She laughed, and the warmth of it filled the car. It did something unreasonable to my concentration.
“People will never believe we’re dating. We should practice,” she told me, her voice soft as silk.
I let out a rough laugh as I pulled into the parking lot. “No, ma’am. No practice sessions. I can be convincing when I need to be.”
The studio was two blocks off the waterfront with a hand-painted sign out front. A man standing outside broke into a wide grin the moment Lucy stepped out of the car.
“There she is,” he said, moving toward her with his arms open. “Our rockstar.”
He was older. Dressed casually. And relaxed.
I was out of the car and at her side before he’d closed half the distance.
Falling into step beside her, my hand settled on her lower back, claiming her asmine.
My posture shifted, the military precision disappearing as I held myself loose and easy, weight dropping back onto my heels, a big smile on my lips.
I added some swagger to my step, knowing that it transformed first impressions.
“Marcus,” Lucy said warmly, accepting the hug and then stepping back into my space without seeming to think about it. “It’s so good to see you! This is my friend, Ben. He wanted to watch me record today.”
Marcus studied us.
I leaned in and pressed my lips to her cheek, slow and deliberate, my hand tightening around her waist. Just a quick claim.
But I held her for a second too long, because I didn’t want to let go.
“Ben,” he extended his hand. “Didn’t know Lucy was seeing anyone.”
“Keeping it quiet for now,” I said as I shook his hand, and let the smile reach my eyes just enough to seem genuine.
