To my side, Scarlett slowly turns to me. I have no doubt she knowswhoNate is now.
“U-uh. Huh?”
“You okay?” he asks slowly. “Did being near the pool fry your brain?”
Scarlett finally composes herself and clears her throat. “Probably. Sorry, are you the friend she came with?”
“That I am,” he says, eyes finally turning to her. I ripmine from him and try to gain my bearings.
“I’ve heard a lot about you.” Scarlett has entirely pulled herself together, which is more than I can say for myself. “It’s so nice of you to be her plus-one. I ran into her at the spa the other day and we talked for a while.”
“Oh, that makes sense. It’s a little hard for this one to get away from me.” He laughs good-naturedly and eyes me again. His smile fades. “Are you sure you’re okay? Do you need water?”
I need to get out of here.Now.“You know what? I totally do. I’m gonna get that right now!” The words come out as a squeak and I rush off. I don’t think water is enough. I need a lobotomy. I’d forget about Nate if I couldn’t think at all, right?
I manage to make it to the bar and order a water as I try to get my wits about me. It’s like seeing him naked all over again, and I can’t get it out of my mind.
A hand lands on my shoulder and I yelp. “You didnotwarn me.”
It’s Scarlett. I know it the second she touches me.
“Sorry, I was busy being an idiot.” I mutter it as I take another gulp of water.
“That man is the friend you brought?Him?”
“Yep.”
“And you didn’t think to stop me from thirsting after him?”
I can’t meet her eyes. “Ah, well ...”
Scarlett gasps. “Wait a minute. Was I not the only one?”
“Shh,” I hiss. “He’s worried about me, which means hewillbe coming over here.”
And sure enough, he is. Scarlett grabs my arm, her grip tight. I wonder if she’s gonna make a move, but when I look at her, she’s watching us excitedly.
“Don’t—”
“Just be yourself,” she whispers. “I need to witness this.”
“Hey, don’t get your therapist rocks off to us.”
“But you make it so easy!”
“Did that help?” Nate asks when he gets to me. “You still look red as hell.”
“Sunstroke. I’m not used to being outside this often.” I fan my face.
“Oh, come on.” Scarlett’s grin is feral. “Tell him what we were really doing.”
I glare. “No.”
“It’s not a crime,” she says, and then she leans. “And I won’t mentionwhoeither.”
“Scarlett, it’s embarrassing.”
“What?” She laughs. “He’s your friend. I’m sure he wouldn’t be bothered by us objectifying men.”
