Page 51 of Catch You

Pulling my purse up higher on my shoulder, I open the door and close my eyes for a beat in an attempt to prepare myself for what’s waiting for me.

“Oh my God,” I breathe, repeating Brooke’s reaction. I can honestly say that this was the last thing I was expecting to see.

I step from the house as Corey drops down from the driver’s seat of the vintage Volkswagen camper. But the second he emerges, the vehicle vanishes into the background. All I can see is him. He’s wearing a skintight white T-shirt that stretches across his wide shoulders and shows off his pecs and abs to perfection. My mouth is watering long before I drop my eyes to take in his denim-clad thighs.

When I find my way back up to his eyes, he seems to be looking at me with a familiar heat in his blue depths.

“Hey,” I say, dragging his attention back to my face.

“Hey yourself. You look stunning.”

My cheeks burn at his compliment. “T-thank you. You don’t look so bad either.” He smirks, and I swear his cheeks heat a little. “So, what are we doing?”

“Fancy a little drive?”

Excitement races though me. I’ve always wanted to have a camper vacation but never had the chance. The trips we had when I was a kid were usually abroad in fancy hotels. I’ve never done anything like this—well, aside from passing out somewhere random in my former years that I’d rather not think about.

“Yes,” I squeal, moving for the passenger door.

“Let me,” Corey says, reaching for the handle and opening it for me like a gentleman.

“Thank you.”

I strap myself in as he jogs around to the other side. Movement in my bedroom window catches my eye, and when I look up, I find Brooke still watching us. She makes a heart gesture with her hands before blowing me a kiss.

He backs out the drive, turning the music down a little so we can talk.

“Does she interfere with every part of your life?” he asks with a laugh.

“She just wants me to be happy. Have you had a good week?” I ask, not wanting to talk about Brooke and her best intentions right now. Wanting to know why it took him until Thursday night to message is much more pressing.

“Yeah, really busy.” He chats away about some of his clients. The passion and enthusiasm for his job is infectious. “I had dinner with Milo and his parents last night. Seemed he knew all about us.”

My heart thuds in my chest. Does he think there is an us?

“I’m not surprised. I’m sure we were the hot topic of conversation at the arena.”

“Fantastic,” he mutters lightheartedly. “What about you? Any epic fundraisers on the horizon?”

“Yes, actually. I have a ball coming up. Black ties, ballgowns, silent auction, the whole shebang.”

“Sounds impressive.”

“It’s my first big event. I’ve only done a few fun runs and some work with the local schools so far. I’m kind of terrified.”

“It’ll be amazing.”

“Reese is supporting me, and she’s incredible. It should raise a lot of money for the Foundation, if it goes to plan.” I tell him about the team having to attend along with longstanding season ticket holders and other wealthy figureheads in the community, as well as the entertainment for the night as he drives to wherever it is we’re going. I don’t bother asking; I trust him.

We approach the ocean at roughly the same time we did on Sunday night. The sun is beginning to set, casting a gorgeous orange glow across the bay.

The beach is almost empty, just a couple walking along the water’s edge and the odd surfer attempting to catch the last of the sunlight.

Corey drives the length of the parking lot before continuing onto the sand.

“Are we allowed to drive out here?”

“Do you always follow all the rules?”

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