So seeing him like this? Working out in his living room in only a pair of shorts and tennis shoes?
It’s something I’ve seen before. But the butterflies in my stomach that it’s conjuring up? That’s a new feeling.
Sweat clings to his bare chest. His abs and biceps flex as he squats and thrusts his arms over his head. The hockey charm necklace I made him when he first got drafted—a set of crossed hockey sticks with number fourteen on it—hangs around his neck.
I shouldn’t like looking at him like this. Ogling him, more like it.
It’s only because I’m in such an emotional state that this is happening. That has to be it.
This is Dax. My best friend. My ex-fiancé’s brother. I cannot be havingfeelingsfor him.
“You okay?”
Dax’s voice breaks me out of my thoughts.
“What? Umm, yeah.”
I shake myself out of my stupor.
“You don’t seem it.”
He grabs the towel from the mantel and drags it over his face and down his chest. I shouldn’t be watching the movement, but I am.
A single bead of sweat trails down the path between his pecs. Really nice pecs, I’m now discovering.
“Chloe?” Dax says again. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” This time, I swing my gaze to meet his and don’t let my eyes betray me. “Just had a conversation with my mom.”
“Ahh.” He tosses the towel down and walks around to me. “Tells me all I need to know.”
I nod. “Apparently if I show up to her place by Saturday at noon, Duncan will still be willing to marry me.”
“What? Are you going to do it?” he asks, shock lacing his voice.
Shaking my head, I make up my mind on the only thing I want to do. “I’m going skinny-dipping.”
“What?” Dax looks confused now at my one-eighty.
“The only thing I want to do right now is start on my list. And that means I’m going skinny-dipping.”
Throwing open the French doors, I jog down the steps that lead to the dock. Sunlight sneaks through the high treetops as leaves and sticks crunch under my feet. Steam rises from the rain that’s finally stopped after the last few days.
“Wait,” Dax calls out after me.
“No. I’m tired of everyone thinking they know what’s best for me. I’m starting this with or without your help.”
When the trees break, a small lake appears with a tiny dock that extends from the edge of the water.
I breathe in the clean air, letting it fill my lungs as I tug my T-shirt over my head.
“Jesus, Chloe. Warn a man.”
Dax draws up short behind me. When I turn around, his hand is covering his eyes.
“I told you I was doing this. Not sure how else I should warn you. Are you going to do this with me or not?”
“I…I guess I’m going to do it with you.”
