Page 8 of The Friend

“I need a change and this is it.” He gestured at the bikinis and sarongs Abby had sorted. “Of course, it has other advantages. Did Abby tell you we’re old friends?”

Tara smiled and slipped her arm around Abby’s shoulders. “She certainly did. Lucky Abby.”

Thankfully, a loud, tuneless whistle of an old Beach Boys hit drifted towards them from behind a pile of wind-surfers and saved Abby from giving Tara a swift elbow in the solar plexus as they turned to see the new arrival.

Tara lowered her arm and straightened, her hands smoothing her glorious auburn hair in a practiced motion. “Speaking of friends, who isthat?”

“That’s Tom, my assistant. Might be wise to stay away from him, he’s a lady killer.” Judd stared directly at Abby and she wondered why the pointed glare when a moment ago they’d been trading banter.

Tom strolled up to them, laden like a pack donkey with camera equipment.

“Hello, lovely ladies.” He placed his load gently on the sand like a mother placing her newborn in its crib. “Hey Abby. And you, Beautiful, need no introduction.” He took Tara’s hand, kissed it and bowed. “I am truly honoured.”

Judd rolled his eyes. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Tara chuckled, loving every minute of the attention. “I can handle him. You’re a giant pussycat, aren’t you, Tom?”

Tom growled in response. “Does that mean I get my tummy rubbed?”

Abby joined in Tara’s laughter. Coming from any other guy she would’ve taken the line as offensive but there was something endearing about the tall guy.

“Okay, folks.” Abby clapped her hands to get their attention. “As much as I’d love to stand around and chat, we have a shoot to do, so let’s get started.”

As she picked up her clipboard, Judd tapped her on the shoulder. “Watch out for Tom.”

“What?”

Judd’s serious expression had her biting the inside of her cheek to stop laughing. “I meant it when I said he’s a lady killer. I wouldn’t want you getting hurt or anything.”

Judd’s warning confused her. He’d never gone all big-brother on her before. He’d usually wait until she fell for the wrong guy, then tease her about it later with the usual ‘I told you so’.

Reaching up, she tapped him on the cheek lightly. “Thanks for the warning but I’m a big girl now. I can take care of myself, especially with the Tom’s of this world.”

“Okay, I’m just looking out for you, one buddy to another,” he muttered, checking out the camera in his hand, a vertical crease between his brows.

“You’re gorgeous for caring about me,” she said, standing on tiptoes and planting a quick peck on his cheek, unprepared forthe swift, powerful urge to linger longer than necessary as the scent of his faint musk aftershave enveloped her.

This island heat must be getting to her.

“Right back at you.”

Judd’s gaze locked onto hers as she pulled away and for one, long, crazy, loaded moment she wondered if there was more behind his casual comment, if he remembered her using the same phrase on that fateful night a moment before he kissed her…

Rattled by the electricity buzzing between them, she said, “Speaking of looking out for friends, why don’t you tell me about you and Paula? Is it serious?” Abby fiddled with the sarong in her hands, unable to keep the growing grin from her face. “You know, seeing as you two are sharing sundaes and all.”

“We’re friends. That’s it.” He paused and the second she glimpsed the familiar twinkle in his eyes, she knew he was about to fire back. “Besides, models aren’t my thing. Perhaps I’m more into fashion stylists?”

To her annoyance, Abby blushed, heat rising up her neck and into her cheeks. Damn it, she rarely blushed, his constant teasing eliciting fiery verbal responses rather than embarrassment.

“Isn’t it lucky that fashion stylists aren’t into you?” She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Not this one, anyway.”

Her scathing glare would’ve carried more punch if she’d managed to keep a straight face and not stick her tongue out at him like an adolescent, before sweeping up an armful of colourful sarongs and turning towards the beach.

“I think you’re fibbing,” he called at her retreating back, his laughter taunting her every step.

“And I think you’re delusional.”

Judd grinned as he swung his camera bag over his shoulder and followed Abby down the beach.

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