Page 7 of The Friend

She’d been surprised to see him earlier. He looked good, better than his latest photos online when he’d shown definite signs of travel fatigue.

He’d acquired a bronze tan that accentuated the gold and green flecks in his hazel eyes and the brightness of his smile, andhe’d let his hair grow, the thick dark waves curling at his collar. He could turn heads, not that she’d ever let the big oaf know.

“Which bikini is mine? And please don’t say it’s the thong.” Tara Lindman grabbed the tiger print two-piece Abby handed her and held it up for inspection. “I knew it. Time to head back to the gym for another hundred lunges.”

Abby smiled at the model and raised an eyebrow as she stared pointedly at her rear. “Yeah, the butt that inspires a nation needs to be more toned.” She rolled her eyes. “Give me a break. If those buns were any firmer you could bounce a dollar coin off them.”

Tara wiggled the piece of anatomy under scrutiny. “Hey, it’s not you that has to expose herself all in the name of work.”

“Thank goodness,” Abby said, joining in Tara’s laughter.

She’d worked with the model on and off for the last year and admired her professionalism mixed with a good dose of reality. Most models she knew strutted around with their noses ten feet in the air but not Tara. They’d bonded over the shoots they’d done together, a fact that surprised Abby. What did she have in common with the lithe goddess who had men falling at her feet?

“Have you seen the new photographer?” Tara continued sorting through the bikinis, her eyes lighting up at a sleek black one-piece cut daringly low in front. “He’s absolutely scrumptious.”

Abby smiled and agreed to the understatement of the year. “Yeah, he’s cute.”

“Cute? Are you blind? He’s drop dead gorgeous.” She wiggled her ring finger under Abby’s nose. “And if I’m not mistaken, he doesn’t have a marital noose around his neck.”

“You’re right about his looks but how can I confess that a guy I’ve known since second grade is gorgeous? If he ever found out it would go straight to his head.”

“Youknowhim?” Tara grabbed Abby’s arm. “Tell me more. How well do you know him? Do you know him or do youknowhim?”

“We’re good friends and I’d like to keep it that way so stop with the inferences.”

“Hey, who’s inferring anything?” Tara snickered. “I simply put two and two together.”

Abby picked up a magenta sarong and draped it against Tara’s fair skin. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Tara grabbed the sarong and twirled it around her head, leaving her twinkling green eyes peering out of a gap in the material like a fortune-teller.

“It means I can tell the future and yours is looking up, sweetie. You got this glow when you mentioned your friendship with Captain Australia.”

“That’s because he’s my best friend and I love him. As afriend.”

Abby made a grab for the sarong and Tara dodged, her chuckles doing little for Abby’s peace of mind.

“Don’t look now but yourfriendis heading this way. Girlfriend, is he hot or what?”

Abby chuckled as Tara fanned her face, her gaze following the model’s line of vision. Sure enough, Judd headed their way, and in his navy shorts, white T shirt, and crumpled, just-out-of-bed hair courtesy of the stiff ocean breeze, he did look hot.

From a friend’s purely objective viewpoint, of course.

When Judd reached them, he gave a salute. “Here I am, reporting for duty, Weiss.”

“It’s going to be more fun than I thought ordering you around. Now, how about you can set up over near that palm tree?

“Great,” he said, his smug grin indicating he’d give as good as he got over the next week. “Don’t let the power trip go to your head or anything. Otherwise I might have to take you down.”

“Is that right?” She raised an eyebrow, loving how quickly they’d slipped back into familiar teasing mode, knowing this job would be a blast courtesy of his quirky sense of humour.

“Ahem.” Tara cleared her throat. “I think introductions are in order?” She thrust her hand out. “Hi, I’m Tara Lindman.”

Judd’s grin widened and Abby rolled her eyes. She’d seen this same reaction from every red-blooded male who came within two feet of Tara.

“I know. I’m Judd Calloway, photographer extraordinaire, at your service.”

“Don’t you shoot wildlife?”

---