Page 19 of Tequila Lime and Sunshine

“Did you send me the redlines?”

“Yep. They’re in your inbox.”

“Ok, let me pull them up.” I open my email and get to work. This is just the distraction I need to get my mind off the gorgeous, shirtless man sitting on the balcony.

* * *

After some work and a short nap, I get ready for dinner. We’re doing another family group dinner, so we have to be on time.

I do my hair and makeup in the room while Hawke showers and changes in the bathroom. I try my hardest not to picture him naked on the other side of the wall. Yes, I’ve seen him in his bathing suit every day, and he only sleeps in shorts, but the thought of him completely naked—and wet from the shower—makes me clench my thighs.

I’ve got to pull myself together. I can not be thinking dirty thoughts about him. Asher suggested a random hookup, but that’s not for me. I’m not built that way. I need to have a connection with someone before jumping into bed with them. Hawke and I have that connection, sure. But nothing good could come from us hooking up.

When Hawke opens the bathroom door, his scent rolls into the bedroom with the leftover steam from the shower. He must’ve shaved, too, because his stubble from earlier is gone. He’s wearing khaki shorts and a light pink T-shirt that perfectly clings to his back and shoulder muscles. I mindlessly wonder how often he works out. It has to be more than my zero times a week.

I grab the shorts and tank top I’m wearing for dinner and push past him to get to the bathroom to change. My shoulder grazes his, which knocks me off balance a little. His hand lands on my waist to steady me, and when his fingertips barely graze my stomach, it feels like an electric current runs through my body. I freeze for a second and try to regain control of my traitorous body,

“You good?” he asks.

Without looking at him, I respond, “Yeah. Just tripped over my own foot, I guess.”

I step out of his hold and continue into the bathroom, finally releasing the breath I was holding.

CHAPTER 10

Hawke

I know what she’s doing.

I know why she skipped out so fast after dinner.

I know why she said no when I asked if I could come.

I know why she wants to be alone.

But it doesn’t stop me from following her. Naturally, I wait a few minutes so I don’t look like a complete stalker. Although, I could probably add that skill to my resume at this point. Summer makes it impossible for me not to want to follow her everywhere. She wants to swim with sharks? Sign me up. Parasailing? Sure, why not? Cliff diving into the ocean? Not exactly how I wanted to die, but if she’s going, I’m going.

The point is, this woman has me in a chokehold, and she has no fucking clue.

I spot her down the beach in a secluded area. After being an avid follower of her social media since she started it, I know what kind of picture she’s about to take.

She’s setting up her tripod in the sand when I walk up next to her. “Hey.”

She jumps. When she realizes it’s me, she scoffs. “Hawke. What the hell are you doing here? I told you that you couldn’t come.”

She did tell me that, and I chose to ignore it. “I know. But I was worried about you being out here alone at night. It could be dangerous.”

“I’ve been alone in much more dangerous places.”

Yeah, that doesn’t make me feel any better. “Don’t tell me that, Sum. Even though I know you can handle yourself, I hate the thought of you being alone. It only takes one asshole to take you off guard.”

She sighs. “I know. But you really can’t be here right now.”

“I know what picture you’re about to take.”

She eyes me suspiciously. “I’ve followed your Instagram from the beginning. I know you have pictures where you’re topless with your back to the camera. I can help you take the picture. I promise I won’t even try to sneak a peek.” It’s the worst promise I’ve ever made.

She hesitates a minute before bending down and taking her phone off the tripod to hand to me. “Thank you. . . for offering to help. But I swear to God, if you try to look at my tits, I’ll kick you in the balls.”