Page 2 of Take the Bait
And yet, I have no idea who she is."Well, you've got me at a disadvantage."
She smirks. "Good."
I can’t help but grin.She’s a sassy one."So, you’re not going to tell me your name?”
She dips her paddle back into the water, already turning away. "Maybe if you ever beat me fair and square."
Then she takes off, and she’s several lengths away before I find my voice.
“I did beat you!” I yell.
“Not a chance,” she yells back, her laughter echoing across the lake as she leaves me behind.
I can’t help but laugh too.
So much for a peaceful workout.Now I’ll be looking for her every day when I hit the lake.
Chapter Two
Chrissy
Byteno'clock,LakeMercury is officially awake.
Pontoon boats drift past the marina loaded down with coolers and sunscreen-slathered children. Somebody is already blasting country music loudly enough that I can hear it from halfway across the dock. The line outside Mercury Slice wraps around the side of the building already.
Summer in Mercury Ridge really is something.
I grew up on this lake, working at my uncle’s bait shop every summer as a kid, so most of it barely registers anymore—the noise, the crowds, the constant smell of sunscreen and gasoline and pizza crust baking together under the sun. It's just the background of my life from June through August.
What does register is the fact that Ace is standing at the end of the dock talking to a couple of the guys from the marina, looking entirely too pleased with himself.As always.
He's also looking in my direction. His eyes widen in surprise when he sees me through the window of Lake Mercury Bait & Tackle.
I immediately look away, but I know it’s too late. He’s spotted me.
"Well, look who it is,” my cousin Dani says beside me, following my line of sight. "Your new boyfriend."
"He's not my anything,” I mutter.
"Mm-hmm. Tell it to the court, sister.”
I busy myself straightening a row of tackle in a display case. "I mean it, Dani.”
"You kayaked with him at sunrise. That’s pretty damn romantic, if you ask me.”
I roll my eyes. “We were both exercising in the vicinity of each other. That’s all.”
“You’ve had a crush on Ace practically your whole life… and you’re finally old enough for him to notice you back. Don’t waste the opportunity.”
I sigh. There’s no arguing with her. The first time I noticed Ace, I was eleven years old. He was sixteen or seventeen. All lean muscle, cockiness, and a charming but mischievous smile. He tugged on one of my braided pigtails and that was it. I fell right then—hook, line, and sinker. When he left that day, I told Dani he was the guy I was going to marry someday.
And my cousin never forgets a thing.
Dani opens her mouth to say more just as the bell above the front door chimes.
Saved by the bell.
I paste on a smile, turning to look at the customer. Then I freeze. Because it’s Ace.
