Page 15 of One Unexpected Gift

“What’s next on your list of projects for us?” he asked Brooke before taking a long drink of his lemonade.

“We need to get the docks out of the water. Everybody’s least favorite job.”

“Turtling isn’t what I’d call a good time,” Owen joked. He placed his hands on Charlie’s shoulders. “Grub’s ready.”

He held out his hand for Charlie and then Gina and Brooke, helping them off the bench. Nick swung his legs over to do the same but accidentally kicked Skylar in the shin as she swung her legs at the same time.

“Ouch.”

“Sorry.” He rubbed the dirt off her leg he’d kicked up trying to ignore the heat and sizzle burning his hand even through the thick denim.

They sat facing each other, both straddling the bench. The rest of the crew had already headed over to the food tables.

“Are you okay?”

“I’ve been hurt a lot worse,” she teased.

Nick wondered if there was a double meaning to her words. Being in the military, he figured she’d had her share of bumps and bruises along the way. Or was she referring to mental and emotional hurt? Normally, he stayed clear of opening up to a woman and listening to her baggage, but he found himself drawn to Skylar in a different way.

The sex was fan-freaking-tastic, he knew. What he didn’t know was what made her tick. What her favorite ice cream was. If she preferred winter to summer, beach or lake, mountains or city. All things he never cared to learn about a woman before.

“Hot dog or hamburger?” He might as well start now.

“What?”

Nick scooched back and stood awkwardly, holding onto the table for support while he lifted his right leg from under the table. He offered her his hand. “What would you like to eat?”

“Oh.” She took his hand and got to her feet much more gracefully than he had. “Hamburger.”

“Good choice.” He kept his hand in hers as they made their way to the food line.

When Gina looked over her shoulder from the front of the line, Skylar dropped his hand and shoved hers in the front pockets of her jeans. He grabbed two paper plates and handed one to her, ushering with his hand for her to go first.

He couldn’t help it if his gaze kept dropping to her backside. Her butt looked damn good in her jeans. Someone snorted a laugh and Nick glanced up. Busted. Bryce nodded his approval before joining Gina at the picnic table.

There were at least thirty volunteers spread amongst the picnic tables. With six already at the table he and Skylar had been at before, it meant they’d be cramped, especially with Owen and Bryce’s shoulders taking up half the space.

Gina scooted over closer to her husband and patted the seat next to her. “You guys, there’s plenty of room.”

Bryce slid further down the bench and Brooke, Drew, Owen, and Charlie slid on the opposite side.

Charlie tossed him a wink. “I’ve got a spot right here for you, big guy.”

“Who you calling big guy? I can bench Nick in my sleep.”

It was true. Nick had been Owen’s spotting partner at the gym for the past two years. The man was a beast. He’d motivated Nick to up his weights as well, and while he couldn’t bench or deadlift half of what Owen could, he’d made significant gains.

Only to have to back down and stick to cardio the past few months. He’d told Owen it was because bulking up would slow him down on the slopes, and he didn’t want to weigh down his dirt bike, but really, it was doctor’s orders.

“We know, honey. We know.” Charlie patted his arm as Nick slid next to her.

He stretched his legs and pulled them back an inch when he bumped into Skylar’s.

“I’ll be done in a sec anyway. I promised Olivia I’d relieve her of baby duty.” Charlie scraped up the last of her pasta salad.

“Have you met Gabriella yet?” Gina asked.

Skylar’s head shot up and her hand knocked over her water bottle. It spilled onto Gina’s plate, and she scrambled to move her food out of the way. There was a bit of commotion as everyone offered napkins to blot up the spill.

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