Page 20 of Thin Ice

I blink and take a step back from the smiling bear of a man, one of those stupidly handsome half grins on his face that makes me believe he knows I was assessing his handsome features.

I pull my bag back onto my shoulder and clear my throat, hoping my cheeks aren’t pink like I think they are. “Sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?”

What am I sorry for, ogling him? It’s not like I can tell him that. “For running into you.”

He places his hands in his burgundy board shorts, the action emphasizing his massive bare arms shown off by the loose cream tank top he’s wearing. His skin is tanned from the sun, and a black-and-gray tattoo of what I think is some kind of bird sits on his left bicep.

“Don’t be; it was my fault. I know not to cut that corner for this exact reason, but I thought I saw a red-tailed hawk and got distracted.”

Okay, I was not expecting that to be his reasoning for not paying attention. “Are you a birder?”

He chuckles, the sound a deep rumble that makes my toes curl. “No, but last year, I rescued a red-tail and released him after he was healed. Sometimes I wonder if it’s him when I see one nearby.”

Warmth spreads through my chest at this sweet story, and I wonder if his tattoo is of said hawk. “Oh.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Well, I hope it was him.”

“Me, too.”

There’s a lull in the conversation, one where the man studies me. My skin buzzes, and much like Hazel, I feel like he’s reading me somehow. Given his story and the vibes he’s giving off, I’m guessing he’s one of the mentors here.

“I’m sorry again.” His eyes dart to my bag before meeting my eyes once more, a wider smile on his full lips. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

He walks away, the scent of suntan lotion and spice—a similar spice to the deodorant Noah uses—left in his wake. My chest twinges thinking of my husband, who is currently running away from his problems at the gym.

I inhale a breath then exhale to gain my bearings and expel all thoughts of men from my mind. I came here to enjoy the sun and relax, and that’s what I’m going to do.

The pool is fairly empty. A couple at the other end sunbathes face down in lounge chairs, and two women are chatting in waist-deep water. At the bar, a male bartender is speaking to two men who must be the partners of the women in the pool.

I grab a towel from a stand nearby and find a chair in the sun but close to an umbrella if I need shade. A small table between the chair I chose and another holds a half-empty glass from whomever was there before. I look around but see no signs of anyone, so I decide it’s safe to sit.

I lay out my towel. Everyone is in their own world at the moment, and nobody stares at me like I expected them to. I remove my cover-up and situate in the chair, resting back and pulling out my book.

I’m halfway through a chapter when a presence next to me has me lifting my gaze, and I’m met with the same brown eyes and half smile of the man from before.

“I told you I’d see you around.”

I place my book down and laugh. “You did.”

He picks up the glass I saw when I sat down with all of the ice nearly melted and takes a sip before settling back in his chair. “I had to reapply my sunscreen.”

“Oh, do you want me to find a different chair?”

He shakes his head. “There’s no assigned seating.” He takes another sip of his drink. “But I can move if you’d like privacy.”

“I don’t mind the company.” The words are out before I can think them through, but it’s not a lie. If I had my choice, Noah would be with me, but he chose the gym, and there’s nothing wrong with making friends while I’m here. And this man seems like he could be a good friend. He rescues hawks, for goodness’ sake. Bad people don’t rescue birds and nurse them back to health.

“Good. I’m Beck, by the way. I work here.”

Happy with the confirmation that I was right, I smile back at him. “I’m Quinn, and I don’t work here.”

He chuckles that low rumble again. “I figured that. Is your partner nearby?”

I shake my head. “My husband is in the gym.”

“I see. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Quinn.”

I wet my dry lips. “It’s nice to meet you, too, Beck.”