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“What are you talking about?” Mac challenges. “Look at you, fab job, fab travel, fab new friends,” he clinks his glass to mine. “You’re living the life.”
I blink slowly. “I guess I am.”
I look around at the gorgeous, palm-trimmed pool. Just a few weeks ago, I could never have imagined my life would look like this. Looking at the scene enviously on Other Jennifer’s Instagram page? Absolutely—while I spot-treated my couch for salsa stains and ran an extra load of laundry.
But here I am, having an adventure that would put Other Jennifer to shame.
“So,” Mac says, fixing me with a look. “Settle a bet between me and Lanie. Are you and Austin, uh, strictly professional?”
I choke on my margarita. “Yes!” I blurt.
Damn, did he see something? Have I been drooling over Austin so much that even total strangers have my number?
“I mean, he’s my boss. I wouldn’t… He never—”Oh my God, Jenn. The lady doth protest too much. I take a deep breath. “We’re friends, and coworkers. That’s all.”
“Hmmm, there’s really not a little spark there?” Mac prods. “Even a teensy one?”
The booze almost lets the “Welllll…” slip out of my mouth. But no. I can’t. “Nope,” I insist…
As fate decides to set my whole body on fire.
Austin walks through the pool gate and spots us, waving over. He grabs a towel and circles the pool.
“Speak of the devil,” Mac says.
“How’s it going?” Austin greets us. “I knew it’d be hot, but damn.”
He drops his things on the lounge bed beside me and casually
strips off his shirt.
The world goes slo-mo, and my ears fill with a plucky bassline, likebow-chikka-wow-wow,as his pants join his shirt on the ground, and he’s left in nothing but a pair of swimming briefs.
Very brief.
Yet again, I praise the lord for my big sunglasses, which can just about hide my stare. But holy six-pack! I knew he was a pro athlete, obviously. And I’ve felt that muscular torso up close.
Butseeingit is a whole different ball game. I didn’t expect the definition of his arms and chest and… thighs.
The man hasthighs.
Austin wades int, up to his waist and then dives under. I lurch to my feet. I have got to get out of here before he comes up for air.
Ineed to come up for air.
I shove my things into my bag. “I need to get some work done! Catch you at the festival!”
I’m gone before Austin even pops his head up. I walk quickly back to my room along the winding, bougainvillea-trimmed pathway. My phone is already in my hand, dialing Millie. This time, thankfully, she picks up.
“How’s it going?” she asks brightly.
“Badly.”
“Oh, no. What’s happened?”
“He has the V things!” I moan. As if Millie can see me, I gesture, making a slash at my hip. “Austin. He got into the pool, and it felt like staring into the sun.”
“Wait a sec,” Millie sounds amused. “You’re doing badly because you saw a man half-naked?”
