“Goddamn, woman. I’m gonna change your name to ball-buster. Do you ever run out of material?”
“How can I when you set yourself up like that?” I shrug as I take a sip of champagne.
“Fair.” He smiles, shaking his head as he looks down at the sand before his deep brown eyes come back up to me.
“Seriously, though. I’m glad you picked me. I’ve gotta be honest, I was a little surprised. I mean, I know you think I’m hot and all, but you’re hard to read. I wasn’t sure if there was more than just attraction here or not.”
I smile at him softly as I take another sip. “You’re a good guy, Shane. There is definitely worse company I could keep on a beautiful day like today at an island paradise like this.”
He laughs. “It sounds like there’s a compliment in there somewhere, so I’ll run with it.” He takes a large sip of champagne.
I smile. “You should.”
Things are so easy with Shane, that’s a big reason why I picked him. The other is that I really don’t have my eye on anyone but Noah, though I’d obviously never say that part out loud.
“So, what brought you out here?”
“Uh, same as you. A boat?” I laugh questioningly.
Shane rolls his eyes, but his smile says he has all the patience in the world. “I mean to the show, smartass.”
“Same as everyone, to find love,” I say, hoping it comes across as genuine as it sounds to my ears.
That semester of acting sophomore year clearly paid off because Shane nods happily in agreement, not even a trace of suspicion in his smile.
“That’s good to hear. How’s the hunt going so far?” he asks.
“It’s alright, and you?”
“It’s going good, if I could get this one sexy brunette to open up a little more,” he says with a quirked eyebrow.
I hold out my arms in protest. “Hey, I’m an open book!”
“Maybe I wasn’t talking about you,” he says nonchalantly.
My mouth parts in surprise as he dissolves into a fit of giggles.
“Not so fun on the receiving end, is it?” he teases.
After setting down my champagne, I shove him playfully, and he does the same until we break out into a full-on wrestling war/tickle fight of sorts. It was all over for him when I found out his ribs are ticklish, though.
“Fuck! Goddamnit, stop!” He laughs as he attempts to snatch my hands.
He’s too weakened by my superior tickling skills, and unfortunately, there’s no end in sight for him. At least, that’s what I thought. Before I know what’s happening, he grabs both my hands and pins them above my head. In an instant, the playful banter and tension evaporates, replaced by something heavier and… well, hotter.
His eyes move back and forth between mine before he glances down at my mouth. My stomach dips as soon as he does, and I know what’s next. Noah’s blue eyes flash into my mind the instant Shane begins to lower himself, so as much as I know the rejection will hurt him, I turn my cheek at the last moment.
Shane’s lips press against my skin tenderly, just for a moment, before he realizes I’ve turned away. Disappointment is written across his face as he releases my hands and slowly eases himself upright. I push myself to sit up, and we both wait in the silence for a moment or two before he speaks.
“Noah?” he questions.
No other words are needed. He knows where my head is. Where, I think, my heart is heading, and honestly, I feel guilty for it.
“Yeah,” I whisper.
Shane nods as he runs a hand over his head and shrugs, as if all his hurt feelings can be shaken off that easily. “Can’t lie, it sucks that he snatched the best girl’s attention night one, but I see the way you look at him, the way he looks at you. You deserve that.”
I try to smile, but it feels more like a frown. “I’m sorry.”
