But the roofing process is freaking loud, and they don’t hear me.
By the third call, she’s rolling her eyes. “They’re idiots.”
“One more try? If not, we’ll float out far enough that they’ll notice us.”
She groans. “Fine.”
I try to wait for a break in the noise, and I scream, “Slowski!”
He turns our way and waves to Danny and Matteo to stop what they’re doing. Even from the dock, I can see Slowski’s face, the way he’s taken aback, the smile as he walks across my roof. And I can also see how his demeanor changes when we drop down to our bikinis and crawl into the floaties. It’s a good change, as he’s now speechless and staring and ogling. And maybe seeing Mary Ann in a new light. Like maybe she’snotone of the guys after all.
Danny thumps Slowski’s chest and calls out, “Well, morning, ladies.”
“Morning,” I reply.
“What are you girls up to?” he asks wryly because he totally knows.
“Thought we’d go for a swim,” I say nonchalantly. “Maybe make you lunch later, if you’re interested.”
“Oh, I’m definitely interested,” Danny shouts back.
It takes a hard second for me to reply. “And is Slowski interested?”
We both look at Phil, and given that he is frozen in place, his stare transfixed on Mary Ann, I’d say he is.
“I’m gonna confirm that we’re all in,” Danny assures me with a laugh. And before the three go back to removing tiles, Danny points at me. “So. Not. Subtle.”
“But it worked, right?” I yell.
“Yeah.” And he doesn’t even try to hide the way he looks me up and down in my barely clad state. “But it was already working.”
I hold his look for a moment before I turn away. It’s warm out today, but the way I’m shaking is undeniable and embarrassing. It doesn’t matter that Danny and I haven’t spoken today. Some long follow-up on the other night isn’t what either of us wants—I can tell. I don’t want to talk about anything else deep or real or insightful. Neither does he. Not right now.
Matteo gives me a thumbs-up when the other two aren’t looking.
After Mary Ann and I both kick and float for a while, she paddles toward me and grabs my floatie until we bump together.
“Holy crap. Okay, holy crap!”
“It seems you got his attention, girl.”
“You got his attentionforme.” Her smile is everything. “Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. That was going to happen at some point.”
We spend the next few hours sunning ourselves, getting to know each other, swimming in the chilly water, and periodically gazing at the boys on the roof. It’s definitely not a bad morning. I catch Danny’s eye on me more than once. It’s flattering, but I try to enjoy it for what it is.
In a measured whisper, Mary Ann says, “You and Danny should come by soon. The farm is well in season. Pick some corn. And strawberries. Arugula, spinach, and asparagus.”
“I’d like that. But you should be there too. Don’t act like you’re setting up a date, okay? Unless you ask Slowski and need buffers. It’s not as though Danny and I are a couple.”
“You could be!” Mary Ann excitedly spins her silly sloth tube.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Well, why not? You’re single; he’s single. You’re both super hot and awesome.”
“Mary Ann.” It takes effort, but I reach a foot out and stop her spinning. “I’m not here forever, and I don’t want a random hook-up. So, let me enjoy the view.”
