Page 51 of No One Wants That (Blitzen Bay)

I lay my head on her shoulder and close my eyes as we start out onto the lake. We’re only on the water for about ten minutes when Nash yells.

“Butch! Tie us up.”

“Good Lord,” I whisper, ducking into Elle’s lap. “Did Nash ask Butch to tie us up?”

“Shh,” Elle says, pushing my head farther down. “Oh my God. Don’t look at him. He’s only wearing swim trunks and a baseball cap. It’s almost pornographic. Stay down.”

“Elle,” I say, slowly peeking over her shoulder. “He’s going to see me. I can’t hide all day. Holy fuck. I just saw him. I think I got pregnant from just looking at him.”

“Hey Kit,” Butch says, smiling over at me as he ties our boats together. “I looked for you at the hotel. I thought you were coming out with me.”

“Hey, uh,” I say, stammering. “Uh—”

“Butch,” he says, his smile spreading into a wide grin. “My name’s Butch.”

“Oh yeah. Sorry. I think I’m still a little drunk. I drank way too much. I don’t really remember anything about last night.”

“Is that right?” He chuckles. “Okay. I brought a bottle of the no-hangover wine if you want some.”

“Maybe later,” I say, holding up my glass. “Elle and I are still on breakfast mimosas.”

“Mimosas!” Millie raises up from where she and Raine are lounging on the front benches of their boat. “Do you have extra?”

“We have plenty.” Elle holds up our thermos. “Babe, will you give Millie a mimosa?”

Nash grabs the thermos and a cup and leans over to their boat. Butch gives me another quick smile before he looks away to deliver the cup to Millie.

“How was that?” I whisper to Elle. “I already forgot what I said to him.”

“Honey, it was so good,” she whispers, taking my face into her hands. “The part about not remembering anything from last night was perfect.”

Nash walks back over and tops off our glasses. “Pretending to forget his name was maybe a step too far.”

“I wasn’t pretending. I actually forgot it for a second. Like I totally blacked out when I saw how good his ass looked in those trunks—”

“Damn it!” Nash says, slapping the back of his chair. “Why do I keep engaging? Out. I’m definitely out.”

“Ladies,” Raine says, pointing to the rolled-up raft tied to the roof of their pontoon. “We brought one of those floating island thingies. Do you want to go cruising with us? We can leave the guys alone to fish.”

“Yes, please!” I say, jumping up.

Millie looks from Butch—who’s staring at me again—to my panicked face. She grins. “Cool. Mase, will you get our ride ready?”

I turn my back to Butch as Elle and I take off our cover-ups and start slathering on sunscreen. “Is he still staring at me?”

“Yep,” Elle says, peeking over at him. “You want to tell me again how he’s not into you? He looks like he’s about to jump over and take you right here on the floor of our boat.”

“I’ve got to get in the water or I’m going to self-combust,” I say, standing on a bench.

“Kit!” Nash says, trying to grab my arm, but I’m already over the side.

“Holy shit!” I say, surfacing quickly. “This water is freezing.”

Nash reaches into the water and pulls me out. “I tried to stop you, crazy. We’re in the mountains. The water doesn’t warm up that much—even in the summer. You have to ease into it.”

“I don’t think easing into things is Kit’s strength,” Butch says, looking over at me as he baits the hook on his fishing poll.

“Shut up,” I say, glaring at him. “Quit criticizing and do your fishing thing.”

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