Page 31 of Chasing the Sun

“Really? You like all these crazy prints?” Chloe asked as she followed Elle up the steps and into the shop.

“They’re all the rage here.”

Chloe rolled her eyes and trailed Elle around the store.

“Anyway, I’m impressed at the way Victoria and Bryce have handled things, and no, I don’t think they get together for sex.”

“Shhh!” Chloe hissed. “What if somebody in here knows them?”

Elle pulled a pink and purple paisley dress off the sale rack. Lowering her voice, she said, “Besides, she’s dating somebody.”

“I know, and Bryce is his dentist!”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“It’s weird!”

Elle laughed again. “I’m going to try this on. You should pick something too.”

“I’m not sure this is my style.”

“When in Naples…”

“Okay, fine.” Chloe rummaged through the sale rack and found a floral dress in a pattern that wasn’t too crazy.

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,” Elle said from behind the closed door of her fitting room. Then she howled with laughter.

Chloe laughed too, and then she remembered last night when she’d thought the same thing about Bryce. She hadn’t expected him to be in the hot tub that late, but she’d been reluctant to turn around and leave.

When she’d first spotted him through the window, he’d looked so relaxed with his head leaned back, his eyes closed, and his chest expanding with every breath. She’d almost hated to disturb him—almost. She’d also been curious about what he’d do if she went inside, though.

She’d expected him to leave right away, and he almost had, but then she’d convinced him to stay. She smiled at the recollection and how his brow had furrowed while he’d debated what to do.

Once she’d gotten past how gorgeous he’d looked half-naked and soaking wet, she’d enjoyed talking with him. For a moment or two, especially when they’d been discussing Molly, she’d forgotten her inappropriate attraction to him and simply become engaged in the conversation.

All too quickly, it had come to an end—thinking of ends, his was sublime, especially when his trunks had slipped down and she’d seen a glimpse of those sexy indents above his hips.

She was pretty sure he’d checked her out too, though he’d done a good job of hiding it. She might have felt bad about coming downstairs in her bikini, but she truly hadn’t thought he’d be up. Then she’d relaxed into it and decided to stop fretting. This is me, and this is my body, she remembered thinking. He can either walk away or stay here and deal with it. And he’d stayed.

“Are you dressed yet?” Elle called.

“Yep.”

They opened the fitting room doors at the same time and stepped out.

“That looks great on you!” Chloe said.

“You think so? Does it make me look too hippy?”

“I would kill to have curves like yours.”

“That’s why I love shopping with you. Thanks, friend.”

“What about this? Is it me?” Chloe turned around to show her the back. The cut of the dress was simple. It was sleeveless with a demure V-neck, and it nipped in at the waist before flaring out at the hips. She’d been skeptical at first, but now that she’d slipped it on, she liked the way it made her feel.

“Yes. You have to buy it!”

Chloe had blanched at the price tag, but at least it was on sale. Given her current pay rate, she could afford this one splurge. “Sold! You really should have been a salesperson,” she teased.