Page 25 of Something Blue

She nodded as she stepped in front of him to spray his chest. “Mm-hmm.”

She’d added a tinge of makeup, and her pink sundress was one he’d personally chosen. Actually, he’d chosen all the clothes, but he wasn’t going to tell her. She would’ve made him take them back and that wasn’t happening. She looked perfect. But if he was honest, she didn’t look the same, and he missed her more innocent look.

He caught her eye and the words came out before he could stop them. “I miss your curly hair.”

The spraying stopped, and she touched her ponytail. “I thought you hated the way I looked.”

He grimaced. “Hate is such a strong word. It was a cute look as opposed to a refined one.”

“Refined,” she repeated to herself. “I’m sure my curls will come back by the end of the week with all the swimming and humidity. I hope Rolando won’t be too upset.” She put her sunscreen away and then led the way to the beach.

He smiled at the thought of being able to see her curls by the end of the week. Then maybe he’d stop picturing them in his head.

They walked past the condos, past a grassy area, to the pool and hot tub area. A few beach-goers lounged around, but the place was practically empty.

When he commented on it, she said, “We’re a day early, so the people from week eighteen are packing up and leaving. The last day is always the worst.”

She headed away from the resort and down a sandy walkway. Basically, a barefoot hop, skip, and a jump over the hot sand to the prettiest waters he’d seen since the Maldives beaches.

“Tomorrow the place will fill up quickly while the next week’s owners check in. Chase and his family always check in early so we might get to meet them soon.”

Her eager gaze lingered anywhere she looked, and it bothered him. All this time she’d been searching for a taken man.

“Should we order some chairs and umbrellas for the week?” he asked as they passed a stand at the edge of the boardwalk. “It’s not like we brought anything to sit on.”

She lifted her towel from the bag he’d bought her. “They’re kind of expensive. I’ve always sat on this.”

“Hmm,” he said, looking around. “That doesn’t sound relaxing. It’s on me this time. Let’s get a set.”

She gave him an uneasy look. “You really don’t have to.”

He thought of laying on sand for hours. “Sand is basically rock, right? Yeah, I really have to. Go put your things down where you’d like to be, and I’ll join you in a second.”

After he ordered a set of chairs, he followed the guy to where Sadie’s bag was. He watched her as the guy set up the chairs, umbrella and table. She smiled brightly as the tide ebbed and flowed against her feet. So adorable! He couldn’t help returning her smile as she glanced over and gave him an enthusiastic wave. It was going to be a good week.

By the time the guy was finished drilling a hole for the umbrella pole, he was ready to join her in the ankle-deep water. “It’s so warm. I imagined it would be too cold to swim.”

She shook her head. “Not at the Gulf of Mexico. You’ve got a lot to learn.”

Dipping his hand into the water, he splashed her legs. “Look at you, little expert.”

She screeched and splashed him back which started a full-on splashing war. Soon they were soaked and both raced into the salty water. When they swam past where the waves crested, he was barely able to stand while her chin bobbed above the water.

He reached for her and pulled her to him. “You’re so short.”

She laughed. “Being short has nothing to do with my swimming ability.”

He chuckled and led her to a place where she could stand but kept his hands resting on her waist as they faced away from the incoming waves.

Suddenly her attention was stolen by something—or rather someone—on the beach. The man was as tan as coffee and wore a cocky smile. A sinking feeling pitted itself in Andy’s stomach as she locked eyes with him and smiled.

“That’s Chase,” she said, pointing to the guy.

He tightened his grip around her waist, but she pushed away and headed toward the beach. The water felt empty without her next to him.

Just as he was starting to enjoy her company, he’d lost her attention. Only an hour into their vacation, and she was already setting up their fake relationship to fail.

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