Page 32 of How to Deal

She picks it up and answers, Tathan’s eyes shift to mine so I look over at Oliver and pet his ears. Immediately he’s trying to drink my wine. Damn dog is an alcoholic already.

“Buddy, no.” I tap his nose to keep him from drinking the spilled wine.

“It’s Bryan.” Casey grabs his leash and holds the phone away from her ear for a second. “I’ll take him up with me.”

“I’ll come with you.” I go to get out, but she waves me off and gives me that look like don’t be rude.

“You stay.”

I do, but I don’t like it.

Well, I don’twantto like it.

Truth is, I want to be around Tathan, I just don’t want to admit it to myself.

“Tell me the truth.” He looks at me once Casey’s gone. “Did Casey tag me down here and that’s why you came down?”

“I wouldn’t know.” His tone seems off when he replies, but I can tell he’s not lying. Honest eyes never lie. “Didn’t look.”

“Why did you come down here then?”

He shrugs. “Long day.”

“I bet.”

He seems hesitant to look at me, his eyes on the palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze. “I never meant for that to be a lie. Just didn’t think it mattered.”

“I guess it didn’t,” I say, knowing it doesn’t. If he wants to go by a different name for the sake of maintaining privacy, that’s up to him.

The only reason I was mad was because I was caught off guard by it. At least I’m telling myself that tonight. It’s also the wine in my hand telling me that.

For now, I’m going to try not to stare at him, let the warmth of the hot tub calm my Tathan/Elliott frazzled nerves, and do my best to not dream about hot tub sex with him sitting this close.

He moves closer to me to the point where I can feel his breath on my shoulder.

Leaning in, he whispers in my ear. “Don’t be mad, please.”

I turn my head, ready to say something, but he’s so close that I could kiss him. I want to. He’s beautiful and tempting and it’d be so easy.

Just lean in.

I’m about to when I finally gather my senses. “I gotta go.”

I jump up out of the water, reaching for my towel and run away for the second time today.

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