Page 15 of Loving the Sinner
“Because I actually likeher.”
“You love me and you know it.” She chides.
“Yeah, I do.” He sighs as he places a dramatically loud kiss on her cheek, making Robin gag in faux disgust.
There’s definitely something more than friendship there, right?
But I’m not jealous.
I clear my throat, “I think I’m going to go change, where’s the bathroom?”
“Oh! Sorry about that, second door on the right, down that hall.” Robin says cheerfully.
I nod in thanks, and quickly find the bathroom and take some deep breaths. As I put on my plain black one piece, I can’t help but compare myself to Savannah, who is all curves for days, and Robin., who looks like a Victoria’s Secret Model.
I look…not like that.
I’ve got a ‘B’ belly that pokes out a bit in the tight polyester, cellulite all up my thighs that haveneverhad a thigh gap. My arms jiggle, my boobs are weighed down by gravity, and my back has rolls.
“You are more than what you weigh.” I tell myself in the mirror. This day is about making new friends and letting Izzy have fun. I can’t be a downer because I’m having a bad body day.
Steeling my nerves, I walk through the now empty kitchen, out the back door, and over to where my bag is -right by Wes and Matt- to drop off my clothes.
“Izzy! Sunscreen!” I yell, holding up the yellow bottle.
“I already put it on!” She yells back, rolling her eyes.
“If you burn, I’m not going to feel sorry for you.” I chirp. I know she didn’t apply sunscreen, and I will not be listening to her complain about it later.
Izzy stomps her way over to me like a petulant child, but lets me lather it on her back where her tankini top dips low. She applies it to her arms and face while I do her back.
“Happy now?” She grumbles.
“Much.” I say with an exaggerated kiss on her cheek.
“Ewww.” She pretends to wipe it off, then leans closer to me and whispers, “Go kiss Matt or Wes on the cheek. They’re the ones who can’t stop staring at you.” Then she saunters off like she didn’t say anything.
I pretend that she didn’t say anything. I pretend I don’t feel the gazes of two of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen staring at me while I apply sunscreen on my arms. I can’t fathom why either of them would be interested inme,so it’s better to pretend they don’t. Then I don’t get my hopes up.
I feel the presence of someone at my back and look up to see Matt standing over me.
“Do you need any help putting sunscreen on?” Matt asks me, his tongue swiping his bottom lip.
“Oh, um. I can get everywhere but my back, so I would appreciate the help actually.” I say pulling the bottle from my bag.
“I’ll help you with that.” Robin plucks the bottle from my hands and waves Wes and Matt off, the two of them rolling their eyes and grumbling.
“Thank you.” I say over my shoulder as she starts to rub the sunscreen gently onto my back.
“Don’t mention it, it’s what friends are for. Besides, I don’t think Wes would let Matt do this without someone getting a right hook to the jaw.” Robin mumbles.
What does that mean?I want to ask her, but I’m momentarily distracted by Wes taking off his shirt and…ooooh boy.
Wes’s fair skin tone is deliciously contrasted by dark lines of tattoos littering his body. I thought he just had some on his left arm, but he has some type of script over his left peck, some type of potion looking bottle that I can’t make out on his right side, and something else that’s peeking up right above his swim trunks on his right hip next to a dark happy trail. He’s all lean muscle, trim waist, and strong thighs. When he turns around to say something to the kids, I take in his perky butt that looks so squeezable. I avert my gaze, embarrassed, as soon as Wes’s eyes lock on mine.
Just because I think he’s probably the most attractive man I’ve ever talked to in my life, and he makes my belly flutter, doesn’t mean he reciprocates the feelings.
Chapter 7
