“I won’t be a guest for much longer. What’s the harm?”
A quick glance around the boat tells me everyone else is occupied, mingling about, finishing their drinks or deep in conversation about how there is only one golf course within twenty minutes and next year they’d like to pick a place with a few more options. Chloe’s friend is standing on the dock snapping selfies, while her brother has his nose in his phone. Josh is picking up trash and trying to get around the guests taking up space on the boat.
Fuck, I’m on my own here.
“I really think?—”
“Please, Luke. Youknowwe have a connection. Let’s explore it.”
Her hands trail along my chest, and I place my hands on her waist to gently guide her backward and out of my space. Except, it seems she takes that as an invitation. In a blur of movement, she pushes up on her toes and wraps her arms around my neck, planting her lips against mine.
I reach up and tug her arms away. She pulls her face back and eases back down to the floor while I place my hands on her hips, moving her away from me. I need to be so careful how I do this—any wrong move could be the difference between a happy guest and an enraged one. If her parents see me being forceful, that’s a problem. If Chloe feels me being forceful, that’s a problem. At the same time, I can not give her the wrong impression. Dad would say,“You’re between a rock and a hard place, son. What are you gonna do?”
“Chloe—” I drop my hands from her waist when she’s far enough away for me to feel safe.
“Chloe, dear, let’s go. We have reservations,” her mother calls over her shoulder, never quite looking to where Chloe is.
“I’ll see you tonight then.” She smiles up at me. “Let’s meet on the dock at ten.” She reaches up and touches the base of my neck, dragging her pointer finger down the center of my chest. She bites her lip and doesn’t wait for my response before taking off after her parents.
“Bro.” Josh climbs back into the boat having set the garbage bag and towels on the dock. He looks back to see that Chloe’s family and any other guests are out of earshot.
“Did you see that?” I ask, running my hand through my hair. “That girl is relentless. She thinks we’re meeting here at ten to look at the stars!”
“Yeah, I saw.” He rubs the back of his neck.
“Nice. Thanks for the help,” I say, rolling my eyes. “You couldn’t have tried to help me out?”
It’s not Josh’s fault that Chloe can’t see that there is nothing happening between us, but I’m frustrated all the same.
Josh’s eyebrows are furrowed. His eyes dart to the house, to me, and back again.
“Luke—”
I follow his line of sight to the house.
My heart begins pounding so loudly in my ears I almost can’t hear Josh when he says, “Liv saw it all too.”
Shit, shit, shit.
“Josh…”
“It didn’t look good from where I was standing. I know, I get it, but what if…” He doesn’t finish his sentence. I know what he wants to say.What if Liv doesn’t?
My skin prickles and my breathing comes out in shallow pants. I hop over the side of the boat and jog up to where Liv and Viv stand on the patio—Liv with her arms crossed and looking at Chloe who is giggling with her friend as they enter the house.
I have to make this right.
“Liv!”
She holds up a hand. “I’m going to bed.” She runs her hand down Viv’s shoulder and retreats inside.
I move to follow, but Viv stops me with a hand firmly planted on my chest.
“You fucked up,” Viv says, frowning. With her arms crossed and a scowl marring her face, the warm, carefree Viv I’ve gotten to know this week is gone.
“I can explain what happened.”
Beside me, Josh chimes in, “Seriously, that girl is a lunatic.”
