My face is on fire.
“Wh-what?” Nate asks.
“I was just reminding her that she’s single and there are plenty of guys to look at.” She shrugs. “You found a few, right?”
I glare. Then I realize she’s not looking at me. She’s looking atNateto gauge his reaction.
My anger fades. I immediately want to do the same thing.
Nate’s eyebrows are high and I can see the slight hint that he’s uncomfortable. His lips press together before they turn into a smile. “Care to share who?”
It’s such a Nate response.
I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.
“Scarlett likes the surfer bro that got tackled into the pool.”
“Hey!” she hisses. “I never said my type wasgoodfor me. And you liked the nerdy guy.”
Thankfully, she doesn’t mention how he palesin comparison to Nate.
“He’s married,” I say with a shake of my head.
“We’re just checking out the menu. Not ordering. Unless you want a rebound.”
“At least a nerd is better than Rob,” Nate says pointedly. “Pick a guy with less of an attitude next time.”
He orders a water too. And I can feel a frown forming. He’s absolutely fine with me looking at other men. Of course he is.
I turn to Scarlett, wondering if she’s as disappointed as I am. She’s still watching us like we’re her favorite TV show. My eyebrows pinch. She should’ve picked up on his dismissal. Why hasn’t she?
“I’ll do my best. I’m afraid my taste is garbage.”
“I can vet someone next time.” Nate gulps his water and I donotlook at his throat bob. I simply don’t. “What do you say, berry? The next guy has to go through the best friend test?”
“I can agree to that.”
“You two are just thebestof friends, aren’t you?” Scarlett is still smiling. “Love to see it. I’ll let you twofriendsenjoy the rest of your night. I’ll see you later, Maisie.” Scarlett walks off with a wink, leaving me with only Nate.
“She’s . . . interesting,” he says.
“She’s single,” I reply. “She says she’s staying that way, but you could try.”
I ignore the ball of cotton that makes its way into my chest.
What’s happening to me? Maybe I do have sunstroke.
“Nah, I’m fine. Glad you made a friend, though. She kind of reminds me of Quinn.”
I shouldn’tbe relieved at that. But I also shouldn’t have found Nate so hot earlier. Yet I did. I glance at him, hoping it was just a moment of madness.
It’s not.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I think I need sleep,” I say quickly. “We did too much in one day.”
“Now that I can agree with. Ready to fight for the bed?”
