Page 86 of Dancing in the Rain

“Haven’t actually talked to him yet,” Drew admitted. “I’ll try again Monday.”

Dougie nodded. “So howarethings with Chloe?”

Drew filled him in on the recent birthday party and in-line skating, and Chloe’s struggle to deal with her mom’s situation.

Despite his chirping, Dougie was a good friend. He set a hand on Drew’s shoulder and squeezed. “What a fucked-up mess.”

“Yeah.”

“I’ve been riding your ass about doing something with your life. But you’ve got a lot on your plate. You know if there’s anything Lisa and I can do, we’re there. Maybe bring Chloe over for dinner someday and she can meet the kids.”

Drew nodded. Dougie and Lisa had three kids ranging from four to ten. “Thanks, man.”

He looked up to see Peyton watching him and Dougie. She smiled.

The party began to wind down as some of the other couples who were staying overnight made their way to their staterooms and Peyton made her way over to him. “Okay if I say good night now, too?” she murmured. “I’m a bit tired.”

“Of course.” He paused. “I’ll, uh, stay and have one more drink with Dougie while you get ready for bed.”

She tipped her head to one side. “Such a gentleman.”

“That’s me. Don’t seem so surprised.”

“You do surprise me, Drew,” she said quietly. “Thanks.”

She disappeared and Drew turned to Dougie, who was regarding him with a cocked eyebrow. “Nothin’ there, huh?”

“Shut the fuck up and get me another beer.”

He needed the distraction now as he imagined Peyton getting ready for bed—undressing, putting on some kind of pajamas…what? What was she wearing? Christ, he had to share a bed with her and it was going to fucking kill him to not touch her.

Chapter 17

Peyton closed herself into the small but luxurious stateroom and stood still, looking around. The boat rocked gently. She’d never been seasick, so she wasn’t worried about that, but the motion reminded her that they were on water. On a boat.

What could happen? Other than the engine blowing up and catching fire and the boat going down before everyone could get off.

Her chest tightened and she forced herself to take some deep breaths as she grabbed her purse and used the head. She washed her face and changed into the leggings and long-sleeved T-shirt she’d brought to sleep in—not exactly pajamas, but she’d had no idea what the sleeping arrangement was going to be. Somehow she’d thought maybe she’d share a room with another female guest, but no…she was sharing a room (and a bed) with Drew.

She licked her lips nervously as she pulled back a puffy duvet and slipped into the double bed. It wasn’t even a big bed…and Drew was a big guy. She left the wall-mounted lamp on for him when he came to bed and snuggled into the covers to try to sleep.

The sheets were soft and clean-smelling, the pillow perfect, but despite being tired, her eyes refused to stay closed, hyperaware of the movement of the boat and every little noise.

She’d enjoyed the evening, meeting new people, and seeing Drew with his friends. They all obviously liked and respected him, despite the good-natured insults. Seeing him with his friend Dougie just at the end of the evening had made her heart tilt in her chest—the serious conversation they’d apparently been having, heads close together, then Dougie’s hand on Drew’s shoulder in a kind of male reassurance.

She liked that he had people in his life who cared for him, even though he maybe didn’t turn to them as much as he should. Which was probably typical of many men. He didn’t want to admit weakness. She knew he’d been struggling, but he’d also been struggling to hide that.

The door to the stateroom opened and her head lifted off the pillow. Drew.

“Hi,” she said quietly.

“Still awake?”

“Yeah.” She sighed and rolled to her back.

“Are you okay with this?” he asked, unbuttoning his shirt. “I can go sleep on a couch in the salon.”

She considered that for a moment, but the truth was, she wanted someone with her. “No. It’ll be cold there. And weird. And…”

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