Page 25 of The Friend

“Chill out, dude. Looks like you’re about to have a coronary.” Tom finished his soda in three gulps and toasted him with the empty bottle.

“I’m fine,” Judd muttered, wishing he could have a fortifying pint—or ten—to calm his nerves. He should be behind the camera where he belonged, not trussed up in some monkey suit playing at being a groom.

“Have you rechecked the equipment? The girls will be here any second.”

“No worries,” Tom said. “Relax, I’m a professional. Everything’s under control.”

“That’s what you said a second before that elephant charged us in Thailand.”

“Were you trampled to death?”

“No.”

“Quit your whining then.”

Judd shook his head and glanced at his watch for the hundredth time in the last few minutes, wishing he could get this over and done with. “Where’s Abby? She’s taking forever.”

“She’ll show, don’t worry. Personally, I can’t wait to see her all dressed up.” Tom wiped his brow. “She’s hot.”

Tom watched him closely for a reaction and Judd deliberately kept his tone cool. “Too right.”

Tom guffawed. “Quit acting like you don’t care. You want her.”

Was it that obvious? If Tom could see through him, little wonder Abby had picked up on his interest. What Judd still couldn’t get his head around was the fact she returned it. What had happened to them? Was it the old ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ adage?

How could two perfectly sane people who’d been friends for so long want to get down and dirty all of a sudden? It didn’t make sense. Then again, nothing he’d been doing lately made much sense, hence his planned change of career, change of location, and change of lifestyle.

“We’re good friends, which is why I’m helping her out of a tight spot and why you need to keep your mind focussed on the job and not talking drivel like you usually do.”

Tom’s raucous laugh bounced off the palm trees surrounding them. “Keep on kidding yourself, man. And when you have your first baby, don’t forget to name old Tommy as the godfather.”

“Get back to work.” Judd pointed at the stack of cameras lined up on a nearby trestle and scanned the beach for Abby, wishing they could get this over and done with.

The sooner this shoot was complete and the photos emailed to Mark, the sooner they could continue their interesting discussion earlier, with less words—and less clothes.

“Wowee.” Tom wolf-whistled. “Feast your eyes on that.”

Judd turned and time stood still.

He couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, as he watched Abby walk towards him, a simple strapless dress outlining every curve of her tempting body, her hair twisted into an elegant roll that drew attention to her high cheek bones and expressive eyes.

Those eyes…She fixed them on him, steady, unwavering, and for a long, loaded second he swore he could read raw, honest passion in their glittering depths.

I want you, too,he wanted to say, his churning gut making him shift his weight from foot to foot. She took his breath away and if he had any doubts about his intentions to keep his hands off her, the kick in the guts at the sight of her floating across the sand towards him with desire in her eyes dispelled them in a second.

He wanted her.

More than he’d wanted anything or anyone in his entire life.

Abby stopped in front of him and her coy smile clutched at his heart.

“Don’t pass out on me now,” she said, the slight tremor in her voice belying the twinkle in her eyes as she reached out and smoothed the lapels of his tux.

He took a deep breath, placed a hand over hers, and winked. “Not a chance. You’re stuck with me for better or worse.”

“In your dreams.”

His smile widened as his gaze drifted slowly down her body before returning to focus on her face.

---