Page 72 of At First Catch

The second she’s gone, Hadley covers her face with both hands.

“I’m moving.”

“You say that a lot for somebody who clearly loves this town.”

She peeks at me through her fingers. “You’re enjoying this too much.”

“Absolutely.”

Hadley’s brows furrow, her focus intense, until she takes in the coffee cup, and then her face relaxes.

“You got the coffee.”

Her giggle drifts warmly across the dock between us, just loud enough that suddenly all the noise around us fades again. None of it feels as loud as the awareness building between our bodies.

Rook chooses that exact moment to shove his head directly between us.

Hadley sighs dramatically. “You were Holt’s dog first.”

Rook ignores her in favor of leaning against my legs.

“He’s been replaced,” I tell her solemnly.

“You busy today?” she asks after a moment.

“Mostly contractor meetings.”

“Sounds thrilling.”

“Painfully.”

“I’m going to help Bailey with inventory later,” she says. “But I could stop back by this afternoon.”

The words are said with a hint of vulnerability, as if she’s looking for reasons to come here now too. She glances toward the water like she’s suddenly fascinated by boats, which is interesting. Because thirty seconds ago she’d been looking directly at me.

“You don’t have to invent excuses to see me, Hadley.”

Her gaze snaps back to mine, desire flickering low in her eyes.

“That sounds dangerously close to confidence.”

“Should it?”

Her gaze lifts back to mine.

“Yes.”

The single word purrs between her lips, and all I can think about is kissing her. Right here on the dock where everyone could probably see.

Six months ago, that would’ve been enough. That’s the problem. Now I want her to stay after.

By one o’clock, I’ve accomplished almost nothing productive.

Which is becoming a problem.

Miguel has explained the revised electrical plans twice.

Walter has asked me the same question about piling permits three separate times.