Page 107 of Just Act Natural

“Nope.”

Itispretty cozy. I actually like?—

I shriek when the cold water hits my feet and calves, but he keeps stalking deeper. I cling even tighter to him, as though the heat from his back can offset the chilly water. Thankfully, the shock doesn’t last. Soon, we’re shoulder-deep, swaying in the waves.

“This isn’t bad.” Understatement, but I’m stuck to his back like a level-five clinger. Not a lot could be better.

His fingers lightly squeeze my thighs. “I’m fond of it.”

We watch Tess and Wren tread circles around August’s hippo float. He’s grinning and shouting something about pirates. Hopefully the distraction is working.

“What do you know about that Ian guy?” I ask softly.

“Only what’s publicly available. I met him a couple of times through his old guiding business, but we don’t know each other. Seemed like a good guy.”

“I hope he’ll fight for Tess and August.” She needs somebody who’ll step up and show her that he wants to be in their lives, no matter what.

“If he’s smart, he will.”

I think for another minute about this supposedly famous climber. “Think he’d be willing to be involved in a future event as a special celebrity guest?”

I can already imagine scenarios to put his fame and expertise to good use. Maybe we could partner with Horizon Hikes somehow.

Grant laughs. “Pre-injury Ian would have done it in a second. Now? Hard to say.”

“Sunshine doesn’t have many celebrities to choose from. We’ve got Leo Dalesandro, but I don’t think he lives in town.”

“Leo Dalesandro’s from here? The NFL center?”

“Yup. Although, he got injured, too.” That bone-snapping injury was the talk of the town for a solid month. “Maybe our celebrities are cursed.”

“Probably best not to include the curse on your tourism website.” He aimlessly moves us around in the water, taking in the views. “Are you ready for tomorrow?”

“I hope so.” I’ve done everything I can expect to do short of giving the presentation.

“You’re going to do great. Just be yourself, and I know you’ll get it.”

“If I don’t, I’ll look like a dummy in front of everyone.” The whole town knows I’m trying for this job, and half of them expect it to be handed to me with a bow on top. I don’t know how I’ll show my face in Delish or Perk Me Up if they opt to give the job to someone else.

Grant turns his head but can’t look at me when I’m clinging to his back. “Hey. You refer to yourself as ‘dumb’ a lot. MaybeI’m wrong, but I have some guesses why. Don’t let him stay in your head. He doesn’t deserve the real estate.”

I lay my cheek against his shoulder. I’ve let Josh live in my head way too long. He’s the kind of “genius” that needs everyone around him to look stupid in comparison. Even with me, he had to come out on top over the smallest things. I hate that the self-talk I learned from him is still hanging around in my brain.

“You are smart, dedicated, and capable. You’ve got this down, princess.”

“Thank you.” I rest my chin on his shoulder and hug him tighter. “I’m nervous. It has to be perfect.”

“You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be…genuinely Lila.”

I hold out two whole seconds before bursting into laughter. “That was so cheesy, it hurts. How do I like you so much?”

“I’m serious.”

Oh, I love it when he gets firm with me. My tough cinnamon roll.

“I know you think you need to have this perfect veneer for social media, the job—maybe even around town.”

Hmm. I’m rethinking my praise for his toughness. He doesn’t have to see me quite so clearly.

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