Page 92 of Austen Persuaded

“Only to you?” I tilted my head, doubt on my face.

Kylan looked around. “Everyone else is far too busy getting drunk and enjoying the pool. I doubt anyone noticed your panic attack.”

“No one but you.”

He nodded.

After a long silence where I couldn’t form any coherent thoughts, I said, “You can go swimming, you know. I don’t need anyone to stay with me and cover for me. I’ll just, like, tell everyone I have my period or something. And it’s a heavy flow day.”

Did I seriously just talk about menstruation with my estranged ex and the hottest guy on the freaking planet?

Unfazed, Kylan stretched out his long, tanned legs, leaning back a bit. “Nah. I didn’t bring my swim shorts, and I don’t feel like swimming anyway. I don’t even like it.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Liar.”

He flashed a grin—and it was just as irresistible as it’d always been. “OK, I like it a little.”

“You did swim team in high school and part of college.”

“Ah, so I’m not the only one with a meticulous memory for swimming-related knowledge about each other,” he said, his eyes twinkling with something unspoken.

He shouldn’t be this appealing. It wasn’t fair.

Look away!

I couldn’t.

But Sofia solved that problem, shouting and waving at Kylan and me from the other side of the pool where she was swimming with her friends.

I sat up straighter. Was that Rainn with Sofia? How odd. I squinted in their direction. Rainn was always so surly toward her.

But they were laughing together in the pool. Standing very close.

“Not in the mood to swim, Sof. I’m just going to relax here for now,” Kylan replied. When Sofia and Rafael called out threats to throw me in the water, he stiffened and shook his head. “She isn’t swimming.” Something in his expression must have warned them away, as no one asked further.

“Kylan,” I said when Sofia and the others had turned their attention to someone else.

It’s now or never.

I need to nip this in the bud now. Before I fall for him all over again.

“Yeah?” he said, meeting my gaze.

My heart was beating erratically now, but I had to say it. “Why are you being so nice to me? It might be … easier if you’re not.”

He stared at me for what seemed like an eternity. “You think … I should be …” He tilted his head in apparent confusion. “Annie?”

I opened my mouth and then closed it, shaking my head. “I just—” Suddenly I spotted a flash of orange coming close, not far behind him. “Your sister?”

“My—” He looked sideways as she came to stand next to him. “Oh, hey.” He looked somehow both happy and unhappy to see her, oddly. “Kelly, this isn’t the best timing, but I really wanted to introduce you to the guest of honor, so—”

His sister raised her eyebrows. “Oh, I can come back if I’m interrupting—”

“No, you’re fine,” I assured her, pasting a wide smile on my face. I needed Kelly to stay, instead of continuing the awkward conversation I’d stupidly started. “Please, sit. I’m Annie York. Kylan’s told me about you!”

“Likewise, Annie, I’ve heard great things about you. I’m Kelly, the little sister. I’m so excited to meet you. I love your fashion sense already—maybe you can help Ky with his! Seriously, congratulations on your new position!” She seemed so genuine. What had Kylan told her about me?

“Thanks, it’s a dream—I’m so grateful for the opportunity. Beyond excited. A few months ago, I was facing a career I didn’t like, a cheating boyfriend and a consistently terrible mother, an ex—er, I mean, a falling out with a great friend, depression and booze … now here I am. I not only found my dream job but I got it. It’s—” I clamped a hand over my mouth. “I am so sorry for the verbal diarrhea. We just met, so much TMI. I think I’ve had one too many of these.” I nodded toward the empty glass on the table next to me.

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