Ask Me Why(59)

I almost slap a palm over her mouth. “Will you keep your voice down?”

“Why hide the truth?”

“Jeez, no pressure.”

She bumps her hip into me. “Okay, fine. This is a fun family outing. No need to panic.”

“Friendly,” I correct. “We’re just friends.”

“With hella good benefits.” Her grin stretches wide.

“You’re one to talk. How’s Jordan?”

Sadie’s attention snaps forward. “Oh, look! They’re here.”

Brance, Ollie, and Jordan are huddled in a small circle. She conveniently avoids my question by racing off toward the group of guys. I follow behind at a leisurely pace. There’s zero need to hurry in any part of me. I have every intention of relaxing my scantily clad butt.

My flip-flops fill with warm sand as I narrow the distance. The sun is high in the cloudless sky, bathing us in glorious vitamin D. Ollie splashes into the water, leaving Brance standing off to the side alone. My heart gallops at the sight of him in those sinfully low swim trunks.

As if he senses me approach, he twists around and traps me with his piercing gaze. His eyes trace across every part of me. Regardless of the summer humidity, I break out in goosebumps. I’ve never felt so exposed. But that’s not unpleasant under his focus. In two strides, Brance closes the remaining distance between us.

“Well, look at you.”

I bite my lip. “Hey yourself. Sorry about not returning your texts.”

His lifts a broad shoulder. “No worries. You’re here now.”

I flutter my lashes. “Miss me?”

Brance grunts. “Maybe.”

A zing of something sharp shoots through my chest. “Oh?”

He wipes over his mouth, hiding a grin. “Don’t make it weird.”

I bite my tongue and try keeping the giddy butterflies in check. “M’kay.”

“Whatcha hiding under here?” He pulls at the collar of my dress.

“This ridiculous bikini Sadie bought for me. It belongs on a porno shoot.”

He bends lower toward my boobs. “I’d love to see it.”

I shove him off. “I’m sure you would.”

Jordan wanders over and claps Brance on the back. “Ready?”

I look between them. “Going somewhere?”

“We’re gonna play volleyball. Wanna watch?” Brance wags his brows.

I suck in a sharp breath, imagining him diving all over the court. My ovaries couldn’t handle it. “Uh, what about Ollie?”

He seeks his son out in the lake. “He can join us.”

“No, he’s having too much fun. I’ll hang back and keep him company.”

He bops me on the nose. “Good call.”

In a move far too calculated, Brance whips off his white tee and tosses it at me. I swallow the lust billowing up my throat. Brance has the furthest thing from a stereotypical dad-bod. With chiseled abs and defined muscles, he puts others to shame. For me, he’s a total standout. I’ll never tire of staring. Hopefully he doesn’t mind. Based off his wicked smirk, this man appreciates my gawking.

Good grief, he’s sexy. I’m certain a collective sigh rings out from every woman lining this strip of beach. My seat is front row, and hot damn, I’m enjoying the show. Should I clap? He gently drags a finger down my arm. “See you in a bit, babe.”

With that parting shot, he struts off in all his cocky glory.

“Miss Braelyn!” Ollie races up to my side. “You’re finally here! Now we can build a sandcastle.”

His words sound lost in a tunnel, barely a low whistle. I’m still tracking Brance’s retreating form, a golden beacon glowing in the sun. He’s too damn hot.

“Miss Braelyn?” Ollie taps my arm.

I blink out of my Brance-haze. My eyes flicker to the sweet boy in front of me. I comb through his wet hair. “Sorry about that, buddy. I’d love to help you. We’ll make the biggest castle ever.”

He hauls over a heaping bucket full of toys. We find the optimal area and get to work. Time passes in a sweaty blur. Ollie’s exuberance keeps me digging long after my biceps feel like pudding.

With the use of several molds and tools, we have quite an impressive fortress. The castle is taller than my knees and covers several feet of beach. I dust off my hands, stepping back to admire our project.

“This is quite a fancy castle. I’d totally live here if it wasn’t made of sand.”

Ollie plops down and points to one of the corners. “This is my room.” He carves a square in the front, making a window. “And you can stay here.” He drags a finger to the indent next to his.

I tap my chin. “What about your dad? Where will he sleep?”

“Right there.” His thumb jabs at the space allotted for me.

I want to pout about being displaced so easily. “But that’s my room.”

“So? You can share.”

I make it a point to scan the expanse of our sand creation. There’s plenty of other options, make-believe or not. I wrack my brain for a viable reason why this living situation wouldn’t work. A different solution is on the tip of my tongue.

Ollie bulldozes through my silence. “Daddy always says it’s nice to share. I’m sure he won’t mind.”