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“We don’t have to make this weird.” Keaton clamped a hand on her shoulder in a way that was probably intended to feel platonic, but it still sent a tingle of awareness down the length of her spine, therefore making it...weird. He withdrew his hand, frowning. “It’s weird, isn’t it.”
“Yep.”
“Shit.” He scratched his head. “Maybe you should find another room tonight.”
August narrowed her eyes. Oh, they werestillplaying this game? “Why should I move rooms? I’ve already unpacked.”
“So have I,” he replied stubbornly, folding his arms over his chest.
Molly swung her head between them like she was watching a tennis match.
“How about you be a gentleman and take one for the team?” she suggested, matching his stance by folding her arms over her chest. Two could play at this game.
“If you’re the one who’s not comfortable, then it’s on you to do something about it. I’m sure the staff would be happy to turn over one of the other rooms for you.” His eyes met hers in challenge.
Why did they do this? Ever since they were kids there’d been this push and pull between them, this competitive have-to-prove-myself energy.
The worst thing of all was...she liked it.
“That way you can have all the private conversations with as many of your dial-a-man options that you want. Don’t let me get in the way of finding true love.” He smirked. The walls were up again, that was for damn sure.
Goddamn Keaton and his too-sexy smirk and his amused green eyes.
“You’re just jealous that I don’t want to date you.” The words shot out of her, fueled by shame and other prickly emotions, rather than any shred of sense. Poking the bear was not a good idea.
“You wantsomethingfrom me, that much I know.” He didn’t look ruffled at all, the bastard. “Tell you what, you can stew on it while I take a shower.”
He headed toward the bathroom and didn’t even bother to look over his shoulder before he slipped inside. Heknewshe’d be looking.
You’re pathetic.
The sound of a zipper being lowered cut through the quiet air. He’d even left the door open just a crack, not enough that she could see anything—and therefore, he could claim he’d closed it—but enough that the sound trickled through. And the sound of Keaton showering was a low-key form of torture. Because now she knew what he looked like totally naked and the combination of fantasy and memory was a potent one. As a lover...
Holy smokes.
He made her feel all the things. Sexy yet respected. Cared for yet an object of desire. Desperate yet safe. It was perfect...which was a huge problem. What other guy stood a snowball’s chance in Florida of living up to that? A guy she’d known most of her life, whom she’d crushed on thatentiretime and whom she now knew had the route to Pleasuretown tattooed onto his brain.
Nobody could match him.
“I think he ruined me, Molly.” She sighed and sat on the edge of the bed.
The dog came over, tail swishing back and forth, and her head cocked to the side in sympathy.“Roaooow?”
“I’msoattracted to him.” She groaned. “And I hate myself for it.”
Molly snorted and gave a little shake.
“Iknowhe’s unavailable. You don’t have to tell me that.” She reached out and ruffled the husky’s fur. Molly came closer and plopped her head on August’s knee, her icy blue eyes looking up lovingly. “I wish I could just get a dog as awesome as you and be happy with that.”
Molly made a noise as if to say,I am pretty amazing. Too bad you can’t clone me.
“That would be a good solution, wouldn’t it?” She found tears gathering in her eyes—frustration? Sadness? Regret? She wasn’t sure. “I need more. God, I’m so clueless. If I’d just kissed him back that night, then I know we’d be together right now. I know I’d be happy with him, because back then he was so determined and full of light and...he wanted love.Cravedit, even. I could have had that with him.”
A tear dropped onto her cheek and she whisked it away. Molly sat down and tipped her face up, letting a long, mournful howl into the air.
“I can’t change the past and I can’t change how he is now—that’s not right. You have to love a person as they are, flaws and all.” She smoothed her thumb between the dog’s eyes, smiling as they fluttered shut in enjoyment. “You’re such a good dog, aren’t you? I know how much Leah loves you and how much you love her. You’re doing such a good job in this competition. How about we kick some butt tomorrow, huh? You and me and Keaton, we make a good team.”
Molly let out a bark of agreement.
