Page 61 of Hot Saltwater Kisses

“Me?” She slowed down theBlueberry Seas,Luis’s station already in sight.

“You and Tom,” I said. “What about that?”

“I feel like we’ve turned into an episode ofGossip Girl.”

“You’re ducking the question.”

For a second, she was silent. Then she sighed. “I really like him.”

“Oh my God.” I moved back just enough to stare at her, and she fluttered a dismissive hand in the air.

”Oh, piss off.”

“I’ll do no such thing.” I grinned. “Oh myGod.”

”Sound any more gay, I dare you.”

“Darling.” I let my voice go breathy and enthusiastic. “I amflummoxed. Flabbergasted. Drowning in a fabulous, sparkly ocean of wonder.”

“You are an embarrassment to your people,” she told me, lips twitching.

“I’m aspectacle,” I corrected, then clasped her elbow. “You want to date Tom.You! In a relationship!”

“I don’t want a relationship.” She narrowed her eyes, sunlight catching flecks of amber in her dark irises. “I just want to hang around him a lot. And have hot sex. Also a lot.”

“Sounds like a relationship to me,” I said.

She frowned, slowing down even further as the pier drew close. “No label, though. No... I don’t know. No promises.”

“You said you wouldn’t be fine with him sleeping around.”

Her frown deepened. “No.”

“Are you planning to hook up with anyone other than him?”

“No.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“Labels come with rules, Milo. And expectations.” She squinted at the bright surface of the sea, the shoreline unfurling before us. Lush trees tumbled down to meet the water. “Like checking in on the regular, talking about my feelings and all. I’m not wired to think of myself as part of a ‘we’.”

“You’re still you. It’s not… You’re stillyou.” Fuck. This hit close—Nia wasn’t the only one with hangups here, and if I wanted a future with Logan… God, I did. So unless I was fine with casual... No. Even the thought of him with someone else hurt.

Funny how easy it was to dissect Nia’s love life, but when it came to my own, I got squeamish.

“No, I know,” she said. “Tom’s not the type to turn me inside out. But caring about someone means they’ll have some sway over your decisions and plans. I’m not sure I’m ready for that.” Her gaze focused on me, sudden clarity flashing across her features. “That’s true for you, too. How areyounot running for the hills?”

“I’m seriously considering it.” I inhaled. “But most relationshipsaren’t like Michael and me. They’re not, like, a hostile takeover. More of a merger, maybe. And you get veto power.”

Nia turned the boat to align with the pier. “Since when are you Mr. Yes We Can?”

“I don’t know. Maybe I’m just…” My words fell into a sudden lull when she turned off the engine. I lowered my voice. “Maybe I’m just done with letting Michael define how I live my life. I mean, just becausehewas a manipulative bastard doesn’t mean every guy is.”

“That’s…” Nia glanced at where Luis was heading for us, baseball cap and weathered smile firmly in place. “That’s surprisingly wise,” she finished.

“That’s me,” I said. “Wise beyond my years.”

Nia snorted. “Hardly,” she said, but her eyes were soft.

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