“Who said I loved you now?” But Briar smiled as he turned away.
Maddox smiled too. It was soft and filled with all the unspoken things he kept inside.
“I’m glad y’all were able to take time off today,” I said. Sand stuck to my back since my skin had been wet when I’d plopped down in it. Oh well. I’d swim again after lunch to wash off. It wouldn’t help the sand in my ass crack though. I squirmed.
How did it always find every crevice of your body?
“As am I.” Briar smoothed the salve across Maddox’s broad shoulders, and his hands lingered at our captain’s upper arms before slowly moving to his triceps. “Work is important, but so is rest.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that, Mr. Workaholic.” I placed my hand on Briar’s thigh, loving the prickle of his leg hairs beneath my fingers. Maddox was as smooth as marble, like a sculpted Adonis, not much hair anywhere except for his head and the occasional chin stubble when he missed a day or two of shaving. I loved the contrast between them. “I worry about you.”
Briar lifted a hand to his nose, as if the push his glasses back. He caught himself before doing it though, seeing as to how his glasses were currently tucked away in his satchel.
“I’m hungry,” I mumbled, eyeing the basket. “Time for lunch.”
We had packed turkey and tomato sandwiches on wheat bread, dried vegetable chips, and apples. I had also brought banana nut muffins. They didn’t last long. Once Maddox spotted them, it was game over.
“What?” he asked with his mouth full, crumbs on his cheek. He’d devoured one already and was making quick work of a second. “Why do you stare?”
“I just love you,” I told him, my heart warming with the confession. “So damn much. When we first met, little did I know how much of a muffin thief you were. I should’ve named my café The Gluttonous Muffin in your honor. Has a nice ring to it, don’t ya think?”
Maddox choked on a laugh. With his black hair wet and falling into his face and the hard lines of his usual stern expression smoothing as he smiled, he looked younger. Carefree. Like the weight of the world wasn’t on his shoulders as we sat together in that cove, eating, swimming, and basking in the warm summer day.
Briar seemed lighter too, his hazel eyes shining with new vigor. He still looked tired—he’d need more than one day off to make up for his tendency to forgo sleep and meals in order to further his studies—but he was better. More relaxed.
Movement from the trees behind us caught my eye, and I saw a flash of silver before it vanished. Shortly after we’d arrived at the beach and settled in, Lake had found us. But he stayed in the coverage of trees, unwilling to venture out.
It hurt my heart. I wanted him to have fun too.
“I wish he’d join us,” I said.
Maddox followed my gaze. “The wolf’s fine right where he is.”
“Oh, stop being a grump. I’m going to take him some food.” I grabbed the picnic basket, ignoring Maddox’s heavy sigh, and walked toward the trees. “Lake?”
He stepped out from the nearest tree, his white ears perked up. His green shirt fell open at the top, revealing his collarbone and a peak of his toned chest. “Apologies for intruding on your day. I can leave.”
Was that why he thought I’d come over? Because he thought I was mad about him being there? God. I just wanted to hug him.
“You’re not intruding,” I said. “I’m glad you’re here. I’d be even happier if you came over and sat with us.”
Lake glanced at the section of beach where Maddox watched us with a scowl. “I… I shouldn’t. Someone could see.”
Maddox had taken us to a cove with white powdery sand, trees, and a formation of rocks off to one side. It was mostly secluded, but ships could be seen from the harbor a short distance away.
“At least eat something.” I handed him a turkey sandwich from the basket and an apple.
Softness touched his eyes as he accepted the food. “Thank you, Evan.”
“Will you come back to the café later?”
He hesitated. “Maybe.”
It was better than an outright no.
“Just think about it, okay?” Slowly, I stepped toward him. As I wrapped my arms around his waist, he tensed but quickly relaxed. “I’ll make us an awesome dinner, and we can talk more. Get to know each other better.”
Lake leaned his head against mine. “If you want me to, I can stop by for a little while at least. I…” He reached for my hand but didn’t take it, only brushing our fingers together. “I’d like to learn more about you too.”
