Page 65 of The Summer We Lie

"It is amazing, isn't it?" I gesture toward the breathtaking panorama stretching before us. "I literally pinch myself every single morning when I wake up to that view. It doesn't seem real sometimes."

"I bet," she says with a warm smile that reaches her eyes.

Reed scans the expansive beach with an appraising glance. "I hear the old guys are coming too."

"Yeah, well, I didn't want my dad to be bored all day, so I figured he could invite your dad and Logan to hang out," Harper explains with a casual shrug. "Plus, I think Skye actually gets along with them pretty well." She throws me a knowing laugh that makes me want to disappear into the sand.

"Hey!" I protest, feeling heat flooding my cheeks that has absolutely nothing to do with the blazing sun overhead. "They are pretty cool to talk to, but all that flirty stuff is just joking around."

"Oh, I know. They're both total playboys," Harper says with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"Speaking of playboys," Reed says, nodding somewhere behind us.

I turn to see Dom walking toward our little group, arms loaded with fluffy beach towels and an ice chest. "I'll go help him," I announce before making my way over to him. He's wearing nothing but navy swim shorts hanging low on his hips, and my mouth goes completely dry at the sight. He's so damn perfect—tall and muscular with just the right definition across his chest and abs. Not bulky like a bodybuilder, but powerfully lean in a way that makes my fingers itch to trace every ridge. When we reach each other, I realize I'm practically drooling, my lips parted in silent, embarrassing appreciation. I snap my mouth shut and frantically try to compose myself.

"Here, let me help you with some of that," I offer, desperate to appear normal.

"Thanks," he says with a knowing chuckle that sends electric vibrations straight through my core.

"I brought sunscreen and towels for everyone," he adds, his voice dropping noticeably deeper when speaking just to me.

"Thanks," I manage lamely, taking the stack of towels from his arms, our fingers brushing momentarily. "Are Logan and Ethan still planning to come?" I ask, grasping for any conversation that won't make me spontaneously combust on the spot.

"Yeah, they should be here anytime now," he says, his dark eyes briefly dropping to my bikini before deliberately snapping back up to my face.

"Cool," I reply as we walk over to rejoin the others.

"We need to get you another bathing suit," he says unexpectedly, voice low enough that only I can hear.

"What? Why? Is something wrong with this one?" I look down at myself, suddenly self-conscious about my body in a way I hadn't been moments before.

"Yeah, it's too small, and I have to constantly avoid looking at you to keep from showing just how much I like it to everyone here," he murmurs. "Plus, I don't like everyone else seeing this much of you."

I laugh, the tension breaking slightly between us.

"Oh, my boner problem is funny to you?" he asks with one eyebrow raised in mock offense.

"Just a little," I admit, biting my lower lip to keep from grinning too widely.

"Well, don't think I didn't notice you practically drooling just a minute ago," he counters, eyes dancing with amusement.

"Oh, you caught that, huh?" I feel my cheeks flaming again.

"Oh, I notice everything," he says, voice dropping to a register that makes my insides liquify.

"Hey Dom, come over here and meet my girlfriend Wren!" Reed interrupts our moment with perfect college-boy timing.

"You actually found someone willing to date you?" Dom asks dryly.

"Hey, I got game," Reed protests indignantly, which makes both Dom and me burst into laughter. Dom's eyes catch mine for a breathless moment, sharing the private joke, before he turns his attention back to the introductions.

"Dad, this is Wren, and Wren, this is my dad, Dom."

"It's very nice to meet you, Wren," he says smoothly, professional charm sliding effortlessly into place. "You live in Michigan too?"

"Yeah, I go to college with Reed, but I'm originally from Georgia," she explains, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Georgia sounds significantly better than Michigan winters," he observes with a slight smile.