Page 8 of The Summer Fling
"You saw that?"
"Half the island saw that. The only other woman Logan is often seen with is Delilah, and that's because she stocks his favorite beer." Eli's grin is infectious. "What can I get you? It's on the house."
"Shirley Temple for now, and when you say on the house, is Logan paying for that?"
"Yep." Eli reaches for the grenadine and starts building the drink. "He'd have my head if he found out I let you pay."
"But that's bad for business."
"He won't go bankrupt, I promise you." Eli slides the drink across the bar, complete with a cherry and everything. "So, accountant, right? Logan mentioned it."
"Among other things." I take a sip, and it's perfect—not too sweet, not too tart. "What else did Logan mention?"
"That you're funny, beautiful, and leaving in a week." Eli's expression shifts slightly, more serious but still warm. "Two out of three ain't bad odds for my boy."
"He said that?"
"Not in those words, no, but he kept stammering when I asked about you, and when I said you were beautiful, he stared daggers at me until I was sure he would slam me to the floor."
"No way."
"Yes way. But yeah, the only actual words he said were accountant and leaving in a week."
There's something in his tone that makes me look at him more carefully. He's vetting me, I realize, but not in a hostile way. I can't exactly blame him. He's Logan's best friend, and maybe he just wants to make sure I'm not going to break his heart and disappear into the sunset.
The thing is, I probably am going to disappear into the sunset. That's what happens when your vacation ends. But I don't think Logan is expecting anything different. He knows the deal upfront.
"He seems like he can handle himself."
"Oh, he can. Doesn't mean I don't worry." Eli wipes down a glass, still watching me. "He's a good guy. Probably the best guy I know, actually. Just ... don't make him fall in love with you unless you plan on sticking around."
"I think you're giving me too much credit. Way too much."
"Am I?" Eli raises an eyebrow. "Because the way he was looking at you earlier? The way he's been pacing around this bar for the last hour, waiting for you to show up? I've never seen Logan nervous about anything in his life, and he once had a presentation in front of the dean and our school president."
This is dangerous territory. I was already resigned to the fact that I might hook up with him, but staying here at the island? I don't think so. I'm a city girl, through and through.
"Where is he, anyway?"
"Probably changing out of his work clothes. He'll be down in" —Eli's eyes shift to something behind me, and his grin turns wicked— "Speak of the devil."
I spin around, and Logan is walking toward the bar. He's changed out of the shorts and t-shirt from earlier into dark jeans and a white button-down with the sleeves rolled up. His hair is still messy, but there's something different about him now.
The effect on my body is immediate and embarrassing. Heat pools low in my belly, my pulse jumps, and every nerve ending suddenly wakes up. He's not even touching me, and I can feel him.
And if I'm being honest with myself, I want to feel him.
"Hannah." His eyes rake over me in the polka dot bikini, slow and appreciative. "You look..."
"Like I'm about to win a surf contest in 1965?"
Logan smirks. "More like trouble. The very best kind of trouble."
Eli makes a noise that might be a laugh or might be a gag. "Jesus, you two. Get a room."
"Actually," Logan says, sliding onto the stool next to mine, "I was thinking we could dance first."
"I-I don't dance. And why aren't you on theme?"
