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Diamond
“Lexie, no!”
I know my yelling was pointless from the moment the pool swallows the golden retriever whole. I should’ve seen this one coming. Of course our spontaneous game of fetch would result in Lexie jumping headfirst into the water.
The wind knocked the Frisbee we’ve been playing with straight into the pool, and Lexie didn’t think twice.
“Lex, what did you do?” I fake-scold, the laughter in my throat drowning out my lecture.
Lex paddles in my direction with the Frisbee in her mouth, quick to jump out of the pool and run to me with a wagging tail. Soaking wet, she drops the Frisbee at my feet, then shakes the water off her fur vigorously.
I shriek in between chuckles, not even flinching at the water flying all over me.
“Look at you.” I fall to my knees to pet her. Lexie holds up her paw as if to show me she expects a treat, and I laugh even harder. We spent most of the morning out on the patio. I went for a quick swim, then played with Lexie to tire her out.
“Come here.” I peck the top of her head, and she reciprocates the affectionate gesture by planting sloppy kisses all over my mouth.
“Let’s get you dry for the vet.” I scratch her under the chin and rise to my feet. “I’ll be back with some towels.”
She’s got an appointment at the vet in an hour for a regular checkup, and I’d rather she didn’t drag that wet-dog smell in with her.
Lexie barks as I amble to the glass door, following me, and I have to tell her to stay a few times so she doesn’t flood the first floor. I don’t make a habit of walking around in my bikini—the one time I did it, the guys looked at me like I had two heads—but the house was empty when I woke up, so I thought screw it.
The crazy part is, I was slightly bummed that Finn was nowhere to be found this morning. I wanted to talk to him. Thank him for getting back the only thing I have of my mom’s.
I’ve just stepped out of the downstairs bathroom with two towels in my arms when I hear the front door slam. The sound of footsteps travels through the main floor, and anxiety claws at my stomach.
I take it back.
I don’t want to talk to him.
Please let it be Theo.
I consider sneaking into the bathroom to avoid him, then remember that the clock is ticking, and the vet is in the next town over. I asked Vee to drive us, and she should be here any minute. To make it worse, I haven’t even changed yet.
Be brave, Dia.
Clutching the towels in my arms a little tighter, I turn the corner and spot Finn texting in the kitchen. He’s wearing a low-cut black gym tank, the curves of his biceps and veined forearms drawing my eye. The gaps under his arms give me a clear shot of his defined oblique muscles, and I swallow hard.
I can tell he just worked out by how sweaty he is.
For fuck’s sake, he’s glistening with sweat, and I still find him insanely attractive. He also has a gym bag strap draping down his shoulder and a water bottle in his other hand.
He notices me the next second, his eyes lifting from his phone and catching mine. We don’t speak or acknowledge each other’s presence, the same way we did in the kitchen last night.
Giving me uninterested vibes, he starts to look away, only to do a double take almost immediately.
Every inch of my skin tingles when he drinks me in.
I’m still wearing nothing but my bikini but find comfort in the towels in my arms. They’re covering part of my body, shielding me from glances I can’t translate.
Does he like what he sees?
Does he hate it?
Beats me.
“Hey,” I manage to say.
