Page 39 of Break Out

We ended up seeing quite a few schools of fish along the reef. I wish I knew what they all were, or had an underwater camera, but at least I have the memories. Brody relaxed once we got into the water and started swimming. Or if he was still nervous, he didn’t say anything, although I asked him a couple of times. Now we’re heading to watch the sunset before going back to the marina.

Brody smirks at me. “Told you this was the way to do it,” he says before taking a sip of beer from the bottle in his hand.

“You were right,” I agree.

I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows, and my gaze drifts to his lips, shiny with beer. My face heats as I think about his lips on me a couple of hours ago. How did we go from being friends, close friends, to kissing? Multiple times.

Oh, yeah, I remember. Because I finally found out who my New Year’s Eve kiss was, and he’s sitting across from me with a grin on his face.

Isn’t it ironic?

I find out that the best kiss of my life came from my best friend, and it’s repeatable, but—because there’s always a but, isn’t there—it comes when I’m on the cusp of moving thousands of miles away for a job.

Why couldn’t we have had this revelation a few years ago? At least then we could have possibly had a chance. Now, we’re screwed.

“It’s so nice out today. The weather is perfect,” I finally say, breaking the silence.

“Yeah, it is. Today’s definitely a day I won’t forget.” There’s something in the way he says it that makes me turn toward him, and I catch him staring at me. He shifts closer to me on the bench seat and I hold my breath, wondering what he’s going to do. “You got a little red.” He runs a finger along my shoulders and collarbone.

A trail of goosebumps follows his fingers as they trace across my skin. He sucks in a deep breath. I open my mouth to ask him to kiss me again, but the first mate interrupts me.

“We’re almost to the place where we’ll drop anchor for the sunset.”

“Perfect. Thank you,” Brody says, sliding back to his spot.

I wish he’d stayed closer to me but I don’t say anything, letting the moment pass. It’s probably better this way. We’ve already blurred the lines between fake and real with the kisses we shared this morning, probably best not to blur them even more.

Ten minutes later, we’re pulling up to the spot where we’ll watch the sunset. We’re surrounded by a bunch of other boats, including a couple of larger catamarans, probably the tour boat companies I found earlier, with live music and groups of people on them. The first mate comes back, bringing us another round of drinks, and asks if we need anything else. I could get used to this.

“It’s beautiful,” I murmur, watching the sky turn orange as the sun sets over the sea. I pull out my phone and snap a few pictures. We stay for a while longer, watching the sun disappear over the horizon, before the captain pulls up anchor, and we go back to the marina.

“Incoming,” Brody hisses, grabbing my hand and lacing our fingers together as we walk through the lobby of the hotel. Not thirty seconds later, Clara is striding over to us, Chet trailing behind her.

“Sister.” She beams at me, coming to a halt in front of us. “Brody. Can I borrow Aubrey for a moment?” She flutters her eyelashes at him and beams at him. I furrow my brow. She’s up to something. Brody lets go of my hand.

“Over here,” Clara says, marching over to a couch set in an alcove off the lobby. Brody mouths you good at me, but all I can do is nod.

“What’s up?” I ask her.

“Sit. Sit,” she says, smoothing down her dress and patting the cushion next to her.

“I know it’s all a ruse,” she says with a gleam in her eyes once I’m seated.

“What’s a ruse?” I ask, my heart racing. I try to school my features, hoping she’s not talking about what I think she is.

“You and Brody.” She gestures toward him leaning against a pillar across the lobby, staring down at his phone. “There’s no way someone like that”—she checks him out, and it takes all my restraint not to snap at her—“would date someone like you.” She turns her gaze back at me.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, crossing my arms. “I hate to break it to you, but we are dating. So I guess you’re wrong,” I say hoping my voice is calm, trying not to act like I’m freaked out.

“Pshh,” she says with a shake of her head, her perfectly curly blonde hair bouncing over her shoulders. “Come on, Aubs, be serious.”

“I don’t know what to tell you, Clara.” I glance over at Brody and notice he’s staring at me. When I meet his gaze, he pushes off the wall and walks our way.

“Mom is going to love this,” Clara says, putting her hand on my arm. “I can’t wait to tell her.”

I shake her off and stand as Brody reaches us.

He slips his arm around my waist and pulls me close. My hand lands on his chest as he leans down and kisses my cheek. “Are you about ready, babe? We should probably change out of these swimsuits.” I sag against him. “I got you,” he whispers in my ear, his hot breath tickling my neck, and I shiver. “Yep, come on beautiful. Let’s go upstairs and take a hot shower. Bye, Clara.”