“Ready?” I ask, my towel folded and the book tucked away.
“Yeah. Let’s do it.”
I head off into the evening determined to leave thoughts of Luke, and the rejection simmering under my skin, behind.
Twenty-Two
THEN DON’T GET CAUGHT
Luke
“Ialmost kissed her,” I say, handing Josh a beer.
“You should have. Screw your rules.” He looks up at me from his chair.
I spin to face the water, forearms resting on the deck railing. Josh stands and props his back against the railing beside me.
“I screwed up.” I drag a hand down my face and tell Josh how I backed away, tried to play it cool, and how the look in her eyes screamed how badly I failed.
“I got caught up in the moment. Wrapped up in…her.She’s fucking gorgeous, man. And cool. She’s so cool. Like… damn. I just got caught up, shouldn’t have gotten so close.” I look out across the lake, wishing it had answers for me.
Josh sighs and turns, leaning his arms on the railing, mirroring my stance.
“I guess I can understand why you’re trying to fight this thing with Liv. I can pretend it makes sense to me, though I think there’s more to it than just keeping the bed-and-breakfast reputation. Like… I don’t know, fear of rejection, a little avoidant-protective behavior.”
“Have you been asking AIChat about me?” I side-eye him.
Josh scoffs, not once, but twice. “Yes.”
I shake my head and pick at the label on the beer bottle.
“Unpopular opinion, but I think you need to let loose a little. Stop trying to control it all. Maybe just see where things go, you know? If you land yourself in another position where she’s wrapped up in your arms somehow, maybe don’t fight it. I know I won’t tell a soul.”
I turn my head and look at him. His expression is serious—well, as serious as Josh can be.
“I’ve only known her for two days. It’s a little quick, don’t you think?” I ask, feeling out of the game.
“Yeah, but you’ve fantasized about her for weeks.” He laughs, shoving my shoulder. “Plus, the clock is ticking.”
He’s not wrong. My pulse picks up as I consider his advice.
“Ma would be pissed if I got caught messing around with a guest.”
“Then don’t get caught.” Josh clinks the neck of his beer against mine.
Twenty-Three
DON’T YOU HAVE SOME ROSES TO WRECK?
Liv
Just a tiny bit…more.
Of course, any mug on a shelf I could have reached is gone. Who puts shelves this high? Seriously, who installed these?
This is the price I pay for coming out here late. Damn this place and the ridiculously comfortable beds.
The great room is empty except for one man, who’s sitting in the oversized armchair by the unlit fireplace, reading the Monday paper. I don’t want to bother him by asking him to grab me a coffee mug.Maybe there is a stool.
