The night before Kelsey’s fifth lesson, he lay awake and admitted avoiding Rowan wasn’t making things easier. He might as well go. He could show up, watch his daughter surf, and confirm that the fleeting impulse to kiss her was long gone. Besides Rowan not being his type, he didn’t need any extra stress this summer.
You’re one wave away from it, Suit.
Muttering a curse, he turned on his side. Fuck it. He’d show up at the beach tomorrow to watch Kelsey. It had nothing to do with Rowan. He’d never run from conflict and didn’t intend to start now. She was probably gleefully laughing at his retreat, smug that she’d managed to Bagel him and keep him away.
It was time to get back in control of the whole situation.
With that thought in his mind, Everett finally fell asleep.
He was back.
Rowan blinked in the slanting sun at the figure moving toward her.
She’d spent the rest of the week trying to pretend nothing had happened inside the shop. No electric heat or reckless staring match. No moment where Everett Hale had looked at her like he wanted to ruin her against the counter just to shut her up.
She’d almost convinced herself she imagined it.
Almost.
But then a familiar stride cut across the sand. Crisp. Purposeful. Like the beach had personally offended him by being made of grains instead of spreadsheet columns.
Rowan’s stomach dropped. She straightened Kelsey’s board and reminded herself his presence meant nothing. Today’s ensemble consisted of a dark purple suit, gray shirt, and light purple tie. The bold color was unexpected, but he managed to make it seem polished and businesslike. The only thing out of sorts was his hair, which looked wind-tousled instead of boardroom-tamed.
She wondered what he looked like in regular clothes. Probably not as good. A suit could hide tons of imperfections, especially a soft gut. Rowan kept her voice neutral. “Back for round five?”
He paused. “I’m here for Kelsey’s lesson.”
She lifted a brow. “Figured you’d officially skipped out of those. Props for attending the first lesson, though. Did you return to the office and find you lost out on a million-dollar deal because of an hour on the beach?”
His jaw tightened. “I don’t lose million-dollar deals. My schedule happened to shift.”
“You have a schedule for ignoring your kid?” she asked sweetly.
His eyes flashed. Good. She wanted to annoy him today. It helped her feel better about the almost-kiss. “I didn’t ignore her,” he said, low. “I worked.”
“Same difference.”
“Not to me.” His brows snapped into that grouchy frown that made her want to push harder. “I see you don’t start your lessons on time.”
Oh, he hadn’t just said that. Had he?
She deliberately stretched as if enjoying her free time, noting his gaze suddenly drop to her breasts. Was that a flush on his cheeks? “We’re on island time, Suit. You ever do anything that’s not on a schedule?”
“You ever show up on time?” Everett fired back.
“You ever break a rule?”
“You ever follow one?”
His nostrils flared. The air pulled taut between them again—hotter this time, edged with something sharp. Kelsey jogged up then, saving them both. “Dad—you made it!” Her face beamed.
Everett’s voice warmed. “Yeah, I didn’t want to tell you in case it didn’t happen. Been looking forward to seeing your moves.”
The giggle made Rowan’s chest tighten. Kelsey was obviously giddy for his attention. “Don’t get too excited. I’m still falling a lot.”
“I bet you’re the most graceful, elegant faller ever.”
Rowan smothered a smile. “Ready to work, Kels?”
