He’s as magnetic as he was the first time I saw him. And this time, I don’t have to guess at how delicious those arms are. They’re on full display in all their muscular glory under his cutoff, loosely fitted shirt.
“These men, my goodness. It should be a sin to be so good-looking. Have I died and gone to heaven? If so, thank you, oh Lord, for these gifts which I am about to receive,” she murmurs.
“Shut up, shut up!” I mumble, teeth clenched trying not to move my mouth.
Coffee Shop Hottie, who has reached the patio steps, now has his eyes locked on me. A seductive smile of recognition spreads across his face. His friend is ahead of him by a few paces. Of course, instead of continuing on into the house, they head directly toward us.
Every cell in my body is on fire.
“Ladies, welcome! We haven’t met. Did you just check in today?” The man ahead of Coffee Shop Hottie reaches us first, opening his hands out to his sides as he greets us. He’s just as absurdly good-looking with chocolate-brown hair and brown eyes framed by thick lashes. He is taller, leaner, but still sports solid muscle. What is with these people? It’s not normal to have so much sexappeal in one place.
“We did!” Viv flashes her best smile.
“Then let me be the one to welcome you to the Huffman House. I’m Josh.” He places his hand over his heart with a flourish and a tilt of his head. “And this handsome guy behind me is Luke Huffman.”
Luke Huffman.
My insides do a tiny somersault.
“Do my eyes deceive me, Trip, or is that you?” Luke comes to stand beside Josh, giving him a hearty pat on the back.
That stupid nickname.
Of course, he remembers that.
My cheeks heat, and the embarrassment from that morning weeks ago threatens to rise.
“Hi. Yup, that’s me.” I wave awkwardly.Get it together, Liv.
“Well hello, hot guy from the coffee shop,” Viv says.
I blink and turn my head in her direction. “Vivian, are youkiddingme right now?”
Viv turns to me and mumbles, “We are not embarrassed, remember?”
“I am absolutely embarrassed. Fucking mortified, actually,” I mumble into my glass.
My eyes find Luke’s face. He’s watching this exchange between Viv and me, smiling with his hands in his pockets.
“Well hello, friend from the phone,” he says, matching her tone and scratching his chin. “Viv, right?”
How the hell does he know that?
“You’d be correct. And you know that… how?” she asks.
“Trip said, ‘Viv, I’ll call you back.’ So I‘m left to assume thatyouare Viv.”
His voice is just as I remember it. I’ve replayed it over in my mind more times than I’d like to admit. I bet it sounds really sexy in the morning when he’s just waking up. But I’m not curious about that because I’ve sworn off men.
“Impressive.” Viv raises her glass in his direction. “Thisbeautiful lady, who you’ve adorably decided to call ‘Trip,’ is my best friend Liv.” Viv leans back in her chair, elbows on the armrest. The picture of ease. Meanwhile, my cheeks are flaming hot, and I’m pretty sure I’m sweating.
“Viv and Liv?Lovethat. Easy to remember too! How long are you two staying in our fine establishment?” Josh is all charm and easy smiles.
“Ten glorious vacation days,” Viv says, her chair gently rocking back and forth.
Their conversation continues, but I’m having some sort of out-of-body experience and find myself unable to take part. It’s unbelievable.Thisman—I wondered if maybe he was a figment of my imagination—is standing right in front of me in all his gorgeous glory.
What am I supposed to do with that?
