Page 20 of Best Frenemies

A giddiness sizzles in my chest that’s wholly unfamiliar. Sad as it sounds, I haven’t been this excited about the idea of something in a long time.

Careful to be casual, I shrug one shoulder. “I guess I could come down to the beach and read. I was thinking of doing that anyway.”

“Yeah?” he asks, and if I’m not imagining it, I could swear he almost sounds hopeful.

“Yeah,” I agree. “It’s not like you’re going to be chatting my ear off while you’re in the water.”

“Even if I tried to chat your ear off, you won’t be able to hear me.” He smirks and lifts his eyebrows playfully. “So…the beach?”

It takes me a surprisingly small amount of time to respond.

“Sure. I’ll come.”

“Fantastic. Let’s go,” he responds, jumping up from the couch with a spryness I can only dream of.

“Now?”

Mack laughs. “Yes, now.”

“Oh.”

“What? You need time to prepare or something?”

“No, I just didn’t realize when you asked that you meant now.”

Mack grins so big, the tops of his cheeks touch his bottom eyelashes. “Well, since today’s already half gone, I figure there’s no use in wasting any more time, you know?”

It will take me less than five minutes to get ready and I almost agree, but there’s something inside me that forces my mouth to pump the brakes. I’m not a jump-and-do person. I’m a plan-and-plot person. Since this wasn’t my idea, it’s feeling a little out of control in a way I’m not used to.

“How about you head down there now, and I’ll be right behind you after I get in my swimsuit and put on sunscreen.”

“You don’t want me to wait for you?”

“No use in you losing any more daylight hours while I’m doing girlie things.” I hop off the couch and head toward the master bedroom. “I’ll see you down there!” I call over my shoulder.

And then, I shut the bedroom door and lean up against the wood, even letting the back of my head fall against it with a soft thud.

I’ve got girlie things to do, all right.

I’ve got to freak the frack out.

An entire week with Mack Houston. In the same condo.

Holy hell.I’m in trouble.

By the time I get to the beach, Mack is already out in the water, paddling across the surface with precision. I hate to say it, but even from a distance, he looks good.

Reallygood, actually.

It’s like the sun’s whole purpose today is to highlight every tight and toned surface of his body.

In all the time we’ve worked together, I’ve never seen him without his shirt on. Barely even seen any skin below his collarbone, to be honest. But today, I’ve seen his bare ass and his impressive chest and abs, and if you put it all together, that’s almost an entire peep show.

If I’m going to survive this vacation, I’m going to have to make a pact of epic proportions with myself—I donotneed to see the…ahem…missing puzzle piece.

Sure, he’s attractive. Like, beyond attractive, but archnemeses normally are. It’s a whole part of the story arc or something.

I won’t let myself get distracted by his perfect chest and flexing biceps.

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