He moves toward us with a distinct swagger in his step. I try not to watch him approach, but my eyes betray me, taking in every inch of tall frame, broad shoulders, and sun-bronzed skin.
Ihatehow attractive it is.
But more than that, I hate how heknowshow attractive he is.
Dani abandons me immediately, ducking into the bait cooler, which feels like a betrayal.
Ace braces his forearms against the counter and grins at me. "Didn’t think I’d find you so soon, Speed Racer.”
I keep straightening the rows of tackle. "Can I help you with something, Show Off?”
His grin widens like I've just given him a gift. "Just your name.”
“I told you my condition for that.”
“Ah,” he says, leaning closer so I have to make eye contact.Damn, his baby blues are pretty.“But Ididbeat you this morning. It was close, but I got to the marker first.”
“Please,” I scoff. “You were too busy peacocking to beat me to the marker.”
He laughs. "Since when does kayaking count as peacocking?”
I roll my eyes. “You’realwayspeacocking, no matter what you’re doing. Youwantpeople to look at you.”
His eyes drift meaningfully over my face. "It sounds like you’ve been looking without me knowing it, Speed Racer.”
Heat rushes into my cheeks fast enough to annoy me. "I’m working. So, if there’s nothing I can help you with…” I gesture toward the door.
The corner of his mouth twitches into a half smile. "Tell me your name.”
"Are you admitting I won this morning?”
He chuckles. "Absolutely not."
"Then I can’t help you.”
"If you don’t tell me your name, I’ll have no choice but to keep calling you Speed Racer.”
Dani pokes her head out of the walk-in cooler. “Her name is Chrissy!”
Ace laughs while I scowl at Dani. She grins and darts back inside.
"Chrissy,” Ace says slowly, dragging out the syllables.
Jesus, my name sounds good when he says it.
I clear my throat. "Congratulations. You know my name. Now you can stop bothering me."
A slow smile spreads across his face. “But am Ireallybothering you, Chrissy?”
The doorbell chimes again, and a couple of Ace’s friends walk in. I recognize his buddy Joel, and Joel’s pretty girlfriend, Rayna. The second Rayna notices me talking to Ace, her whole face lights up.
I suppress a groan. I recognize that look. It’s the look of a girl in love who wants everyone else to be in love too. I can practically see the gears turning her head as she figures out how to play matchmaker.
“Ready to eat, Ace?” Joel says, holding up a pizza box. “I’m starving.”
“Not so fast, Joel,” Rayna says. “Ace is clearly in the middle of something.”
“Actually,” I say quickly, “He was just leaving.”
