Page 10 of Chasing Forever

She realized she hadn’t been overly friendly toward him and maybe she should loosen up a little. If they talked more, it might help her story. But she wondered if he was capable of having a normal conversation without flirting.

“I see you’re here with some friends,” she said, motioning over her shoulder.

He tipped his head down and rubbed the back of his neck, almost like he was ashamed. Ashamed? Not her romantic hero. He was a pro with the ladies—smooth, laid-back, confident.

“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t exactly call them friends.”

“Oh?”

“I just met them. What about you? Are you here with anyone?”

“Why do you ask?” She’d wanted to let her guard down, but it was difficult. If he was a player, she didn’t want to play, and she wanted to make that clear.

“Just curious.”

He must have misread her disgruntled expression because he hurriedly added, “Don’t worry. I’m not a serial killer or anything. Just making conversation.”

“I’m here alone,” she confirmed after a beat. He might be a player, but she didn’t believe he meant any harm.

“Ah.”

“But my best friend might come and visit sometime during my stay.”

“How long will you be here?”

“A while. You?”

“Eight weeks.”

“Wow. I guess you’ll have time to make a lot of friends, then.”

He tipped his head back and laughed, and she laughed too, though she felt somewhat embarrassed. She hadn’t wanted him to think she was paying that close attention to him. If she were a detective, she’d fire herself.

“I didn’t really come here to make friends,” he said, his smile receding. “I actually came here to be alone.”

“Me too.”

“Yeah?”

She nodded. “It’s been a rough year…” She hadn’t meant to go there, but it was too late.

Chase studied her closely. “I can relate.” He looked like he was about to say more, but then his gaze shifted to the right, and she followed its path.

Blonde Barbie had finally woken up and was walking toward them. “How’s the water? Is it cold?”

Callie watched her sidle up next to Chase and place a hand on his shoulder in a possessive gesture. She pointed her toes like a ballerina and skimmed the surface of the water to test it. So far, she hadn’t acknowledged Callie’s presence at all, which wasn’t surprising.

She must have looked like a drowned rat compared to blondie, and she ran her hands over her hair self-consciously. She hadn’t budged since she and Chase had started talking, but now she decided to get out of the pool.

Ignoring blondie, Chase said, “Done swimming already?”

Callie nodded. “I just wanted to cool off.”

Blondie ran her hand down Chase’s arm and grabbed his hand, tugging on it like a child. “Come in with me,” she mewled.

Chase shot Callie an apologetic look and then allowed blondie to drag him forward into the pool. As they passed, his eyes roamed over Callie’s wet body, and glancing down, she realized why. Crossing her arms over her chest, she got out of the pool and hurried across the cement to her chair.

While her bathing suit was conservative, it hadn’t hidden her pointy nipples as she’d emerged from the cool water into the warm air. Damn you, nipples!