See Me(35)

“Too busy doing real workouts?”

“Too lazy,” he admitted.

She smiled. “How about you? Are you working?”

“No,” he said. “I’ll run, do some yard work, change the alternator on my car. It’s still not starting right.”

“Maybe it’s the battery.”

“Don’t you think I would have checked that first?”

“I don’t know. Would you?” He heard the teasing in her tone. “So after the manly yard and car work, what’s on the rest of your agenda?”

“I’ll hit the gym. There’s a class that meets on Sunday mornings, and I’ll probably do some sparring and ground work, hit the bags, things like that. A guy named Todd Daly runs the gym, and he tends to work us pretty hard. He’s a retired UFC fighter, coaches like a drill sergeant.”

“But if you had to, you could probably take him, right?”

“Daly? Not a chance.”

She liked the fact that he admitted it. “And after that?”

“Nothing, really. I’ll probably do some studying.”

By then, they’d turned onto another street, around the corner from Crabby Pete’s. He recognized her car up ahead from the night he’d changed her tire, and when they finally reached it, neither seemed to know what to say. Instead, he felt her eyes zeroing in on him, almost like she was really seeing him for the first time.

“Thanks for walking me to my car.”

“Thanks for the walk on the beach.”

She lifted her chin slightly. “I have another question.”

“Okay.”

“Were you serious about wanting to try paddleboarding?”

“Yes.”

She lowered her lashes, slipping him a sidelong glance. “Would you like to join me tomorrow?”

“Yes,” he said, feeling a dart of unexpected pleasure. “I’d like that. What time?”

“How about two o’clock? And we’ll check out Masonboro Island? It’s kind of hard to get to, but it’s worth it.”

“Sounds great. Where should we meet?”

“The parking isn’t ideal. The only way to get there is to head down Wrightsville Beach, right to the very end of the island. Just park on the street. Bring some quarters because you’ll have to feed the meter, but I’ll meet you there.”

“Can I rent a board somewhere?”

“You don’t have to. I have two of them. You can use my beginner board.”

“Great.”

“It’s hot pink, though. With stickers of bunnies and flowers on it.”

“Really?”

She giggled. “I was kidding.” Then: “I had a strangely good time tonight.”

“Me too,” he said, meaning it. “And I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

After she unlocked the car, he opened the door, watching as she slid in. A moment later, she was backing out and then pulling away as Colin stood in place. It might have ended there, but she suddenly stopped the car and rolled down the window, leaning out.

“Hey, Colin?” she called out.

“Yeah?”

“When you’re in your sparring class tomorrow morning? Try not to get hit in the face.”

He smiled, watching as her car sailed up the boulevard, wondering what he was getting himself into. He hadn’t expected her invitation, and as he made his way back to his Camaro, he replayed the evening, trying to figure it out. Whatever her reason, he couldn’t deny the fact that he’d been pleased.

He wanted to see her again.

No question about it.





CHAPTER 6





Maria





“I

knew you’d like him!” Serena crowed. “Was I right or what?”

It was Sunday morning, and as usual, Maria was with her sister on the back porch while their mom was finishing up breakfast. Their father was walking Copo, who was fluffed and clean, with a pink bow near her ear.

“I didn’t say I liked him,” Maria answered. “I said he was interesting.”

“But you also said you’re meeting him today. In your bikini.”

“I’m not going to be wearing my bikini while I’m paddleboarding.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m not you, okay? It would make me uncomfortable.”

“Well, you better show some skin, because believe me, you’re going to want him to take his shirt off. The whole sneaking-a-peek thing needs to work both ways.”

“I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.”

“You’re right. You should probably wear some baggy sweats or something like that. And no matter how you’re dressed, I’m just glad you’re finally going on a date.”

“Don’t try to make this into something that it isn’t. It’s not a date. We’re just going paddleboarding.”

“Uh-huh.” Serena nodded. “Whatever you say.”

“I don’t know why I even try to talk to you about these things.”

“You talk to me because you know I’ll tell you the truth. Which is why, of course, the two of you hit it off so well. Because Colin is just like me.”