Page 14 of Deadly Waves

James narrowed his eyes, dubious. “I don’t think that’s true.”

“Oh, it’s totally true,” Grady said. “Luckily for me, though, Sophie doesn’t have brothers.”

“She just has armed uncles,” Mandy said, causing Grady to scowl. “Sven and Rodrigo will always be around to protect her virtue.”

“You really know how to brighten my mood, kid,” Grady said, flicking her ear. “You’re a real wet blanket when you want to be.” He’d been friends with Mandy almost as long as his sister so he could tease her and get away with it. Even though his relationship with Mandy was one of jabs and boasts, when the chips were down, she often found herself running to him for comfort.

“I’m sorry,” Mandy said, holding up her hands. “That was uncalled for.”

“Don’t worry,” Grady said. “I have every intention of making you pay with a strategically placed armpit. I’m going to shove your head in it the second we get in the pool.”

Mandy made a disgusted face as Ally snorted.

“Leave her alone,” James said, shaking his head. “She’s being good. You’re the one being a pain.”

“You always take her side,” Grady groused, shifting Sophie’s legs so he could settle beside her on the lounger. “It stopped being fun about two years ago.”

James grinned as he sipped his beer. “Well, wife trumps sister, after all.”

Now it was Jake’s turn to smile as Grady scorched everyone with dark looks.

“He said that because your hair makes you look like a girl,” Ally said, making sure Grady understood the dig.

“I’m going to make all of you pay,” Grady said. “Mark my words. Be prepared for payback.”

“Yes, we’re all quaking in our flip-flops,” Ally said, shifting her eyes to a group of nearby chairs where a small gathering of teenagers kept staring in their direction. It was an even split of boys and girls, and she couldn’t help but giggle because a multitude of eyes kept slipping in their direction. “Look, we have fans.”

“It’s because you’re wearing that tiny bikini,” Jake complained. “Teenage boys cannot be expected to ignore that bikini. It’s unfair and impossible.”

“No one cares about this bikini but you,” Ally said, tapping his chin. “Let it go.”

“Oh, I’m not going to let it go until you put on a muumuu or something,” Jake said, resting his hand on top of her head. “You’re giving those poor boys ideas.”

Mandy smiled as Ally rolled her eyes.

“The only one I’m giving ideas to is you,” Ally countered. “I promise to make all of those ideas into reality if you get me another drink.”

Jake licked his lips as six sets of curious eyes landed on him. He didn’t want to appear weak in front of his boss and co-workers, but everyone knew he was prone to doting on Ally at least seventy-five percent of the time. “Why can’t you get your own drink?”

“I can,” Ally said. “If you would prefer I do it, I will. I will be leaving the swimsuit cover-up behind if I do it, though.”

Jake scowled when he realized the meaning of her words. She was essentially saying she would flaunt herself in front of everyone if it meant getting a free drink. It was an interesting threat. “Do you really want to play that game?”

“What game?” Ally asked, faux innocence flitting across her features. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, she’s totally messing with you,” James said, snickering. “I wouldn’t put up with that. Put your foot down. Men should never capitulate needlessly to their women.”

“Oh, yeah?” Mandy arched a challenging eyebrow. “Those are bold words, husband.”

“Come over here and I’ll show you how bold,” James suggested, opening his arms.

Mandy didn’t care in the least that they were pretending to have a war of the sexes. She stood from the chair and shifted so she was on top of James and could rest her head against his chest. He petted the back of her head as she sipped her piña colada through a straw. The ice felt good thanks to the beating sun. Her head resting on the spot above his heart felt even better.

When James shifted his eyes to see where Ally and Jake’s fight landed, he found everyone staring at him. “What?”

“You two are something else,” Grady answered, shaking his head. “We’re trying to start a perfectly nice fake argument and instead of playing along you two are going to paw each other in public. How is that supposed to work?”

James shrugged. “You guys are free to fight all you want,” he said, shifting lower on the chair so he could get comfortable. “My wife and I are going to nap while you do it.”