“Don’t mind if I do.” Summer snagged the offered drink and took a deep gulp. “That’s smooth. We came down here to invite you guys out to the Mucky Duck tonight, but it looks like you’ve already got a party going on here.”
As if on cue, the driver opened their door to exit Summer’s car. Owen stepped onto the gravel, his phone to his ear in conversation. He smiled at whoever was on the other side before saying his goodbyes and shifting to put his phone in the back pocket of his dark jeans. He gave a wave to the group.
Ava’s eyes roamed over him, taking in the white T-shirt clinging to his chest under the unbuttoned green plaid shirt rolled up to the elbow to expose his forearms. His boots crunched on the gravel as he neared the fire. He wore his hair down tonight, a change from his normal bun.
Had he rolled his plaid shirt up just to get her attention? If so, it was working.
He looked fucking edible.
“Hey man, good to see you.” Lucas grasped Owen’s hand to shake.
“You, too. Wish it was under better circumstances,” Owen replied.
Lucas waved off his response. “Death and taxes. Comes for everyone at some point.”
“Dude, too soon,” Noah reprimanded their brother, shaking his head. “It is good to see you, Owen.” Noah reached out to grasp Owen’s hand as well and pulled him into a quick hug. Owen clapped him on the back twice before pulling away.
“Why does Owen get a friendly hello?” Summer crossed her arms and pouted at Lucas.
“Because I like Owen.”
“You know what I like? Having a drink in my hand.” Summer was not one for subtlety.
“I’ll get you a drink. What do you want?” Noah asked her, ever the diplomat.
“I want what Ava’s drinking.”
“Alright, follow me, I could use a top off,” Noah invited her into the cabin.
A moment later, Lucas stomped after them, muttering about how Noah wouldn’t know his bourbon from his ass, leaving Ava and Owen alone outside.
Ava watched him from her comfortable spot. Heat warmed her cheeks as her mind replayed their earlier encounter outside the Agatha Building. Owen, sweaty and shirtless on the sidewalk, giving her an unfettered view of the tattoo that trailed his shoulder and across his chest. She dropped her gaze to his hands to banish the memory, but that brought her focus to his rolled-up sleeves. Good forearms were her weakness.
“Never a dull moment with our siblings around, huh?”
Owen’s question disrupted her ogling of his exposed forearms. “What?” She shook her head. “Oh yeah, I forgot how much Summer and Lucas butted heads,” she laughed.
“You feeling OK? Your face is red. Might want to scoot back from the fire.” He moved toward her like he was going to drag her chair further away.
“I’m fine.” She scrambled to come up with an excuse for her blush. “Must be the alcohol, not used to drinking much.”
He eyed the glass in her hand. “If you say so.”
She took a fortifying sip, which, unfortunately, loosened her tongue more than normal. “Glad to see you found a shirt,” she said.
“Come on now, it wasn’t that scandalous. You’ve seen me without a shirt. Many times, if I remember correctly.”
“I don’t know. Ms. Shirley looked scandalized to me. Think I saw her take a picture of you from the café window. Probably to revisit later, if you know what I mean.”
Owen laughed and shook his head at her. “You’re full of it.”
“I’m full of what?” Ava challenged. She wasn’t even tryingnotto flirt with him.
She resisted fidgeting as his gaze trailed over her, taking in her still-flushed cheeks, relaxed posture, and half-empty glass. Her oversized Columbia University sweatshirt and leggings suddenly felt drab compared to Owen dressed like her wet dream tonight. Before she could overthink it too much, Owen caught her eye and stepped closer. His thigh pressed against the arm of her chair, so close she smelled the perpetual scent of coffee grounds that clung to him. He reached out to tuck a strand of blonde hair that escaped her bun behind her ear, his fingers ghosting the side of her throat before pulling away.
“You look relaxed tonight. Like old times,” he said.
She was saved from answering by the cabin door opening, announcing the return of their siblings. Owen stepped away and stuffed his hands into his pockets. The picture of casual while she struggled to comprehend how the slightest touch from Owen lit her up inside.
