Gale almost gags. “The thought of it makes me sick.”
“Enjoy,” I say. “You were right about the tacos. They were awesome. I also signed up for surf lessons while I was out.”
Wendy’s eyes widen. “Why?”
“Because I want to learn.”
“Oh, honey, save your money. Wendy was a surfing champion in her teens. She’s one of the best.”
“Gran, no. I cannot teach him,” she says.
I turn around to face her. “Seriously? A champion?”
She swallows hard. “Yeah, I was.”
“Then I’ll cancel the lessons, and you can teach me.”
Wendy shakes her head. “Not happening.”
“No, but you do make my bed every morning. So, instead of room service, I’d prefer to have an hour of surf lessons.”
“Daily is ridiculous. And I’m pretty sure you’re hot-girl fit. I don’t know if you could handle it.”
“Guess we’ll see. A few times per week will be great,” I say.
“Deal.” Gale grins. “Twice per week.”
“Hell no,” Wendy says sternly. “I’m not an instructor for the B&B. What if something happens to you out there? Surfing isn’t a game, Carter. It’s dangerous.” Her eyes are fierce.
“I’ll email the B&B a contract that states you aren’t responsible for me,” I tell her as I take the stairs. “My lawyer will be in contact.”
“Glad it’s settled,” Gale calls after me.
Wendy groans, and she’s too damn cute when she’s annoyed.
Around five, the front door opens below, and I glance over the railing without thinking.
Wendy steps out in a sundress with her dark hair in loose curls. Gold earrings catch the light when she turns at the bottomof the stairs. My fingers stop turning the page I just finished reading.
A few seconds later, a man approaches her. He’s tall, fit, with dark hair. His sleeves are rolled to his elbows, and he grins when he sees her. I hate him immediately. She walks into his hug without the careful half-second she seems to give everything else. Every part of me thinks it’s wrong. He holds her like it’s not the first time, and she lets him. Her chin rests on his shoulder, and she closes her eyes as she inhales him.
I close the book, and my hand stays clenched around the spine.
Her fingers smooth a crease on the front of his shirt. She throws her head back with the same laugh I heard last night.
I lean back in the chair and cross my arms because I don’t trust what my hands will do on the armrest.
As they walk toward the boardwalk, his arm finds its way around her. Before they’re completely out of sight, he tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. They get smaller and smaller until they disappear into the crowd by the pier.
Me being a guest at the B&B wasn’t why she drew the line. He was.
But then again, she said there was no one official. Unless that changed recently. My timing would be fucking awful.
I shouldn’t care. I’ve walked away from deals worth billions without losing sleep, and this woman has me gripping the arms of a chair because she hugged a man.
The sun moves lower, and I don’t go inside.
The boardwalk is empty now, but I keep watching it like she might turn around and come back. She doesn’t.
