Page 65 of At First Catch

Nolan steps closer. Close enough that every nerve ending in my body wakes up anyway.

“Maybe I’m tired of pretending I don’t want to take you on one. Besides...” His shoulders lift in an easy shrug. “If we’re going to scandalize your hometown...” He smirks. “We should at least get sandwiches out of it.”

My brain supplies approximately zero useful thoughts. Which feels like a problem considering I usually have seventeen.

“Nolan.”

His eyes stay locked on mine.

“You keep looking surprised every time this gets harder,” he says. “I’m starting to think you’re doing it on purpose.”

I swallow hard because he’s right. Part of me still expects this to disappear.

“What happens if someone sees us?” A hushed gasp escapes my lips before I can catch it.

Nolan glances toward the marina.

“Walter?”

“He’ll probably start planning our wedding.”

The giggle escapes before I can think better of it.

“I’m serious.”

“I know.”

“Holt?”

His features shift.

The fact that he understands says far too much.

I exhale. “He noticed something last night.”

“Yeah, I figured as much.”

I glance toward the marina workers farther down the dock. “My brothers are insane, by the way.”

“So I’ve gathered.”

“I’m serious. Rowan nearly tackled Crew through a screen door once because he thought somebody flirted with me.”

Nolan’s brows lift. “Did someone?”

“No.”

“Then honestly that feels excessive.”

I shriek brightly despite myself.

Nolan’s voice is low as he says, “I’m not scared of your brothers, Hadley.”

His words shouldn’t bother me so much, yet the calm confidence in his voice makes my chest hurt.

The tension’s thick between us as the marina bustles in the bright afternoon sun, then Nolan holds out his hand.

Not for touching exactly, but for the folder. Still, my pulse jumps anyway when our fingers brush.