Page 52 of Through the Water

For reasons I couldn’t explain, my pulse slowed considerably as I read it, restoring my vision to its factory settings. “Thank you. You look—well, you look different.”

Her soft smile fell into a wince, and I belatedly realized what I’d said hadn’t come out sounding like much of a compliment.

She pressed a hand to her chest.

Is this not okay? Would you prefer I wear something else?

My mouth went dry. I lowered my gaze to where Ari’s fingers had settled along the swell of her breasts. The dress was as modest as it was hideous, giving absolutely no indication to the woman underneath. Was this the real her, or was she buried somewhere underneath the layers of polyester?

I squeezed my eyes shut as images of Ari flooded my brain, the byproduct of years of visualization exercises. I’d start by swiping the lipstick off using my thumb before planting a soft kiss to the dimple beside her mouth.

It wasn’t enough.

I needed her naked and sprawled out before me like a feast. My fingers threading through every strand of her long hair until fanned out around her face like an auburn halo. I wanted to see those green eyes blaze with need as I tasted the salt on her skin, bringing her to pleasure again… and again… and—Goddammit.

She had me all over the place.

“Wear whatever you want,” I snapped, ignoring Bailey’s amused stare as I ran a hand over my face and tried clearing my head.

I bet she’d taste like the ocean.

Great, and with that, my dick was scrambling to get out of the dugout and into the on-deck circle.

Who was the bigger asshole now?

Ari suddenly exhaled several short bursts of air, sounding as though she was trying to fog up a window.

Good one. You are so funny.

My mind went ninety to nothing as I studied the words and her seemingly fake smile, trying to figure out what it was I’d missed. Nothing about any of this seemed humorous.

Bailey leaned in, shockingly unaffected by the fact that we’d gone back in time. “It’s pretty clear you went to a lot of trouble for tonight. I hope you didn’t do this for him. Trust me, he’s not worth this level of—” He gestured toward her face. “Whatever you’re calling this.”

A woman should always look her best for a man.

O-o-o-okay…

So, Ari had gone a bit cuckoo since lunch. But, on the bright side, I could scratch the cold shower off my to-do list.

Bailey tried stepping in as a pinch hitter, but when his hand moved to cover Ari’s possessively, I was no longer considering how to make it up to him. No, in a completely irrational turn of events, I began imagining how I could ruin his pretty-boy face.

“Got a minute, pal?” I clipped out, the muscle in my jaw twitching.

“Nope, sorry,” he responded easily as he raised the menu, not sounding the slightest bit remorseful. “I haven’t decided what to order yet. I could do the chopped steak, but then again, there’s chicken parm. Decisions, decisions. Do you know—can we speak to the chef beforehand?”

I tensed, feeling my pulse in my eyelids. “You aren’t staying for dinner.”

Before things could devolve into further chaos, a woman I didn’t recognize leaned over from the table beside ours, gesturing to Ari. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if I might have a quick word with you, dear?”

Ari nodded and pushed back from the table, clearly just as eager as I was to call it a night. Maybe it was for the best we end this before things got any worse.

“Now, you two boys make yourselves comfortable. We’ll be right back.” Even though she had to be pushing seventy, the woman tapped her index finger against my nose, a smile dancing on her lips.

I watched Ari teeter out of the cafeteria, resembling a drunk trying to pass a field sobriety test before turning my attention back to Bailey.

He absently chewed on his bottom lip while frowning down at the menu. “I don’t see the drinks listed. We’ll have to ask for that menu. Right now, I’m leaning toward the chicken parm, but I really want to ensure they have something that’ll pair nicely with it, you know—like a golden lager, maybe?”

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I snarled.

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