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He straightens to his full height and inches back. I immediately miss his proximity. Miss the feel of his breath on my lips.
“Where’d you go?”
A fresh layer of heat blankets my skin as the memory from six months ago wiggles back to the surface. I bite my lower lip and shake my head.
“Nowhere. It’s nothing.”
Curious eyes roam my face in search of answers. As his eyes traverse my expression and skin, I feel every fiery glance on my eyes, my cheeks, my lips, my neck. Hour-long seconds pass, and then the corner of his mouth tips up.
“Do you do that often?” he asks, a cheeky smile now firmly in place.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie then look over my shoulder at everyone.
God, how long have I been over here?
He licks his lips and chuckles. “Playing coy doesn’t suit you.” The small berth he gave me, the one I missed… he takes it back. “You were thinking about the night of the festival.”
At least he didn’t outright ask if I was thinking about sex with him.
I purse my lips and shrug. “Whatever.” I look back over my shoulder. “Do you want to meet my friends or not?”
Light laughter echoes through the trees. “Sure.”
Braydon steps to the side and we walk toward the group. Everyone but Mags is carrying on a conversation. She shifts from foot to foot, waiting to see who the new guy is.
A few steps away, Braydon leans in and whispers only loud enough for me to hear. “You’re not alone. I’ve thought of that night too. Daily.”
Not a second before I introduce Braydon to the gang, my skin is an inferno.
Great. Just fucking great.
CHAPTER7
BRAYDON
Meeting Alessandra’s friends was interesting.
She’d introduced me to the two women first. Magdalena and Helena—her lifelong friends. From the moment we stepped up to the group, it was easy to see their connection. The three women gravitated toward each other without effort.
The men were new to the inner circle.
Geoffrey, Logan and Owen were business partners and owned Architectural Crimson, the only architects in a fifty-mile radius. I mentally added their firm to my list of businesses to visit.
Geoffrey and Magdalena started dating around the time Alessandra and I met. Part of me itched to admit as much, but I’d kept my mouth shut. Through Geoffrey and Magdalena’s relationship, Logan and Owen joined the quirky crew.
We’d chitchatted less than ten minutes before I’d excused myself—not that I wanted to leave. I’d waved as I ambled toward the lake. All but Alessandra returned the sentiment.
And I hadn’t felt myself the rest of the day.
Which is why I plan to steer clear of her today. Again.
Today, the goal is to talk with some of the shop owners on Main Street. The town bakery, bookstore, diner, and ice cream shop. Strategically planned so I can also grab lunch and a couple treats. After a little research, I discovered the town has an even balance of new businesses and ones that opened not long after the town was founded. Thrill fills me at learning more about the town’s rich history. History that will undoubtedly have readers eager to visit this gem.
After a quick shower, I dress and head downstairs for breakfast. The food and coffee are dull compared to what I had at Java and Teas Me, but it will suffice.
“I’m here to write a story, not gain creeper status,” I mutter as I step into the bed-and-breakfast dining room.
With a full belly, I trek back to my room, toss on a hoodie, hook my camera over my head, and stow pen and paper in the front hoodie pocket.
