Page 21 of Summer Kisses

The other girls followed her, but the guys hung back.

Brady wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Do you mind that we crashed your girls' night?"

"Not at all." It had become more common since Hudson started dating Elena.

A slower song came on, and Hudson reached for Elena, pulling her into his arms to dance.

"That's our cue," Brady said, tugging me onto the dance floor, which was a space in front of the band. There was no floor, just sand under our feet.

I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have grown up on an island and to be in Brady's arms right now.

"How did it go with the girls? Did they suspect anything?"

"They believe we're engaged. It's weird. It's almost too easy. They didn't protest when I said we were moving in together. No one said it was too soon or we were too young."

"Except for my dad."

"Yeah, but you said he's always like that with you." I was familiar with Brady's complicated feelings about his family. He loved them but felt like his father kept him small. That he didn't trust him to take on more responsibility, much less run any projects.

"I wish he'd respect my decisions and not always assume I'm making the wrong ones."

"Hmm." I curled my fingers in the strands of his hair. He was so big and strong. It was hard to see why his dad didn't see it too. The only reason for it was birth order. I wished his dad could see how much his judgment hurt Brady.

"I thought he'd think I was mature by getting engaged, but that doesn't seem to have worked either."

"You have to make decisions for you, not your dad."

His gaze dropped to mine as we slowly swayed to the music. "I'm starting to understand that now."

His hands were on my hips, making me hyper aware that only a thin piece of cotton separated his palms from my bare skin. My nipples puckered to the idea of his hands moving higher, cupping my breasts, and tweaking my nipples.

I wanted Brady's hands on me. I wanted to know what it would feel like to be the focus of his attention. Not as a friend but as someone he was attracted to.

"You've been a trooper through all of this. I won't forget it."

That had my blood cooling. He was thanking me for helping him. He wasn't thinking about taking this relationship to another level. We were playing a role. "Of course."

"I don't know anyone else who would have gone along with something like this. It's kind of crazy when you think about it. Getting engaged because you found a ring on the floor, now we're moving in together. I keep waiting for someone to say it's a joke."

"I think it's easy for people to believe that we could fall in love. We've been friends for so long." I searched his face for any sign that he felt the same way I did.

"I suppose so. It made everything that much easier." His eyes crinkled at the corners. "By the way, my viewers loved you."

I stilled. "You already aired the show I was in?"

"You were great on camera. You look beautiful, and you were so animated. That's what the kids want."

"Wow. I'm glad that it helped you." I didn't think I would be a hit. I assumed I'd be awkward and stiff.

"You were relaxed and went with the flow. Can you film with me again?"

"Sure." That was the plan. I was supposed to be convincing the streaming gods that we were the real thing so he could get the family-friendly designation. Then he wouldn't need me anymore.

"Good," Brady said, his expression pleased.

"Are you planning on telling your family about your show?"

His nose scrunched. "Not until I'm successful."

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