“Are you?”
“Kind of.”
“Okay.”
She let out a breath, not sure if she was more relieved or disappointed. He’d agreed so quickly. It was for the best. Now she didn’t have to worry about getting involved when she might be heading out to Hollywood with Claire. And her heart was safe.
“You’re worth waiting for,” he said.
Her heart literally stopped and then lurched to life, pounding against her rib cage. Not even her fantasy prince could have topped that.
10
When she and Ethan arrived back at the lake, all of their friends were already there, except for a few who couldn’t make it. Josh Campbell had gotten a fire started in a ring of stones that hadn’t been there before. He must be a pro at the outdoors stuff like Ethan. Several people were cooking hot dogs on long metal skewers held over the flames. Others were sitting in beach chairs, drinking beers or holding red Solo cups most likely filled with wine, and chatting. She let out a happy sigh. This was her favorite way of enjoying the outdoors—food and drinks with friends. She just wanted to hug everyone.
“We’re here!” she exclaimed. “Sorry to be so late. We fell in the lake and had to get cleaned up.”
Everyone laughed.
“How’d you fall in the lake, man?” Josh asked.
“Ally stood up when she got a fish on her line.” Ethan mimicked balancing in a rickety canoe. “Tipped us right over.” He whistled and gestured in a dive.
“And I didn’t even get the fish!” Ally exclaimed. She turned to Ethan as a thought occurred to her. “Where’s my rod?”
He smirked and she jabbed a finger of warning at him. He grabbed her finger and held it, making her flush with heat. “Fish probably swam away with it.” He leaned close, lowering his voice to a husky tone that gave her a hot shiver. “I’ll get you another rod if you want to try again.”
Her mind instantly turned his words dirty. “Yes,” she said immediately with no thought at all beyond getting that rod and riding it. Who knew fishing could be foreplay?
Someone let out a low whistle and Ethan dropped her finger. She looked to where the sound had emanated. Both Logan Campbell and Ben Wright were hiding grins behind their lifted bottles of beer.
So-o-o, okay, maybe it wasn’t just her that noticed the chemistry between her and Ethan.
“I’m going to get some wine,” she told Ethan.
He jerked his chin. She headed over to where Missy, Lexi, and Sabrina were gathered. Missy held up a bottle of chardonnay. “Want some?”
“Yes, please.” Ally looked around. “Where’re the cups?”
“I’ll get you one,” Sabrina said, heading to a small folding card table, where plates, cups, and utensils were stacked.
“You and Ethan looked pretty cozy,” Missy observed.
Ally smoothed her hair, fighting back her blush. She wasn’t ready to talk about whatever this thing was with Ethan. “He taught me how to fish, that’s all. I’m trying new stuff, you know that.”
“Uh-huh,” Missy said and took a sip of wine.
Sabrina returned with a cup and Missy poured in a healthy serving. “What’s the deal with Ethan?” Sabrina whispered.
“Nothing,” Ally said, her cheeks flushing. “We’re friends.”
“Friends don’t check out friends’ asses,” Lexi put in.
Ally whirled. Ethan was clinking beer bottles with a couple of the guys. “Shut. Up. He is not.”
“She meant before,” Sabrina said. “When you turned and came over here to see us.”
Ally took a long swallow of wine. “How’s the sologamy stuff working out for you ladies? Feeling empowered?”
