“Okay, well, I should go.”
Something in his eyes makes a shiver run through me.
“See you around, neighbor.”
I nod and get all the way to the door before he calls out, “Hey. Knock, knock.”
A blush rises to my cheeks, and I can’t hold back a smile. “Who’s there?”
“Benji. From the framers across the street. It’s nice to meet you.”
He slips his hands into his pockets, and I fight the urge to stay.
“You too.”
One thing is for sure: I won’t be forgetting him.
Chapter Four
PAIGE
NOW
As I slip out of the hotel, I’m hit with a flood of heat, humidity and salt sticking to the air. I can already feel my knees melting, but there’s no way I’m going back inside. I don’t care how sweaty I get, waiting for my taxi.
If I see Benji again, I don’t know that I won’t do something dangerous, like yell. Or grab on to those massive shoulders and kiss him.
Which would be a really, really bad idea.
It’s late enough for darkness to swallow the main driveway, but above the muted lap of the shore comes the murmur of couples and laughter. That’s the kind of romance I was chasing tonight.
“Paige, stop.”
Well, that’s just perfect, isn’t it?
When I wanted him to stay, he left. When I want him to go away, he comes running.
I turn to Benji. “What? I’m tired.”
He slides easily into my personal space, curling a hand around my elbow.
I almost forgot how tall he was. Before I met him, if you’d asked me to list the type of guy I was attracted to, I would have described Benji down to his dirt-stained sneakers—tall, great smile, the kind of confidence that feels like a spotlight when he looks at you. And, boy, does helook. I mean, really, really look. Like he can’t bear to tear his gaze away. Like he’s been searching for something his whole life and he just found it.
“I’m sorry,” he says, the words thick and weighted. It sure sounds like he means it.
I wait for more, but it doesn’t come. God, he hasn’t changed.
“That’s it?”
“I was hoping we could go somewhere and talk.”
“I don’t see why. If you have something to say, then say it. You’ve had a year to workshop it; it shouldn’t be that hard.”
The hit lands. Good.
“Or maybe you can go back inside and tell your new friend, Carla.” It’s sour on my tongue as soon as I say it.
It’s not Carla I’m annoyed with; she seemed lovely.
