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I nod and begin the countdown. “One—” Before I’ve even reached two, Hazel sprints toward the surf. “Hey!”
I catch her easily, wrapping my arms around her from behind and swinging her into the air. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I’ve never touched Hazel like this before. But she doesn’t pull away. Not even after I put my mouth to her ear and say, “You’re a cheater.”
She looks at me over her shoulder. “I didn’t cheat.”
I lower her back to the ground. “You said ‘on three.’”
She spins to face me, her eyes twinkling with humor. “No, I said, ‘Count to three.’ I didn’t say when to run.”
“You’d have been a shrewd lawyer.”
“You’re an excellent lawyer,” she says, her expression growing soft. “I think it’s wonderful that you’re helping Sean Carey.”
“He’s a good kid at heart. I’d hate to see him end up in jail.”
Hazel chews her bottom lip. “He’s not dangerous or anything? I mean, I know you can’t divulge attorney-client stuff, but he’ll be working closely with Jared.”
I shake my head. “He’s not dangerous. The court has ordered weekly drug tests, but I honestly don’t think he’s an addict. I’d never put Jared in danger.”
“I know. You’re like a second uncle to him.”
Uncle. Oof.Just when I think things are going somewhere, she kicks me right back to thebrother zone.
I spread my beach towel onto the sand and put my shoes on top to keep it from blowing away. “Sean just needs a chance to succeed at something. With Sara Jean and Jake for parents, he’s never had an adult who had his back.”
“Speaking of backs,” Hazel says, reaching into her beach back for a bottle of sunscreen, “will you get mine?” She hands the bottle to me, and I try to not to stare as she shimmies the strapless romper down her body and steps out of it.
My heart rate spikes so high that I feel short of breath. “You’re not going to wear a t-shirt?”
She gestures to her swimsuit, and my eyes follow the movement, taking in her curves in the skin-tight suit. “I need to showcase the merchandise.” Her eyes widen as she realizes the double meaning of what she’s said. “The swimsuit! It’s a Hazel and Honey creation.”
She turns away and pulls her hair over her shoulder, exposing her bare back to me. I take a shaky breath as I squirt the sunscreen into my hands. Then I place my hands on Hazel’s skin, rubbing in the lotion. Her body is warm to the touch, heated by the Georgia sun. It absorbs the lotion quickly.Too quickly.I’m not ready to stop touching her.
Forcing my hands away from her skin, I hand the sunscreen back to her.
“Ready for a swim?” she asks.
I nod, pulling my t-shirt over my head and tossing it next to the towel. Hazel looks away, but not before I notice her gaze linger on my abs a bit longer than necessary. I resist the urge to flex my muscles and say, “Yeah, I work out.”Snap out of it. You’re not an idiotic teenager.
We walk to the water, pausing to let the surf lick our feet. The sea is like glass today and the water is as warm as tepid bathwater. It couldn’t be more perfect for an afternoon swim.
Hazel wades in first, and I follow closely behind her. When we’re waist deep, she leans back to float. I dig my toes into the sand.
Hazel gives me a knowing look. “You’re searching for sand dollars with your feet, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.”
She shakes her head. “Some people never grow up.”
“Please,” I scoff. “I know you’re dying to do a mermaid handstand.”
Her face breaks into a grin. Then she dives into the water, kicks her legs into the air, and crosses her ankles to form a mermaid’s tail.
I reach out to tickle her feet and she comes back up laughing. We swim and splash together like we’re kids again.
Except when we were kids, I never wanted to wrap my arms around her to pull her into a passionate kiss.And now, it’s all I can think about.
I lick my lips “Hazel, I—”
