Page 8 of Turn of the Tides
Lifting my cocktail to my lips, I took a long drink, the icy liquid coating my tongue and sliding down my throat.
“Damn,” Colbie breathed from beside me. “Is it just me or has he gotten even hotter?”
My attention darted back to her as she curled her lips between her teeth before shrugging. “Hey, glare at me all you want, but you know I’m right.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “Damn it, you’re right. He’s gotten even better looking. He must have made a deal with Satan or something.”
“Well, Mr. Devil Man is certainly living up to his end of the bargain then.”
That he was, I thought as I chewed on the skinny plastic cocktail straw in my glass, unable to look away.
“You sure you’re good?” Colbie asked, pulling me from my ogling.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I said with a slight pout.
I felt a tingle start at the base of my neck and work its way down my spine. The sensation caused goosebumps to spread across my skin. I let out a shiver as I turned, looking back over my shoulder to find Beau already staring in my direction.
His gaze bore into me like it always had when we were kids, stealing my breath. My cheeks flushed and my heart sputtered and turned over in my chest like an old car engine. I could practically feel his eyes trailing over my bare skin, causing heat to build inside of me.
It suddenly felt like the walls were closing in on me. Even with an entire gym between us, there still wasn’t enough space, and I started to worry that maybe Whitecapwasn’tbig enough for both of us.
It almost looked like there was a smile tilting the corners of his lips upward as he took a step away from his adoring fans, as though he was starting in my direction. Panic streaked through me at the thought of a confrontation just then. I wasn’t properly prepared or nearly liquored up enough for that.
Fortunately, I was yanked from that worry by a tap on my shoulder. I started, ripping my gaze from the last man on the planet I should have been giving any of my attention to.
“Presley Fields. It’s been a while.”
I took in the man standing in front of me and recognition flickered in my mind like a lightbulb turning on. “Oh my god, Mike? Mike Perry?”
“Yeah,” he said with a laugh. “Hi. I wasn’t sure you’d remember me.”
“Of course I remember you.” Fond memories flooded, overcoming all the bad that came with the sudden appearance of Beau. Mike Perry had been my high school crush. The cute, shy, slightly nerdy boy I’d been lab partners with in biology. I’d spent most of my senior year hoping he would notice me in time to ask me to prom, but it never happened. Instead, he took Cinda Carter and I spent my prom night curled up on my couch, feeling sorry for myself with a pile of junk food and romantic chick movies guaranteed to make me weepy. He went out of state for college, and this was the first time I’d seen him since graduation.
I remembered thinking he had a very pretty smile and kind eyes back then, and looking at him now, he still did. I returned the quick hug he gave me and pulled back to take him in.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Colbie’s head bouncing side to side between us, intrigue written all over her face. She knew all too well how much I’d liked Mike back then. I glanced her way and bugged my eyes out in silent communication.
Being the best friend she was, she understood and started to back away. “I’ll go grab a couple refills, let you guys catch up.” She added ridiculous finger guns before realizing she looked like a goober and turning away with a roll of her eyes at herself.
“I see you’re still friends with Colbie.”
“Yeah, I am.” I bit down on my bottom lip nervously while lifting my shoulder in a shrug. “She’s my bestie for life.”
He gave me that polite smile. “I like that.”
“Yeah, me too. Wow.” I shook my head in disbelief that Mike was really there, standing in front of me. “It’s really good to see you. You look great.” And he did, that was for sure. Mike had always been cute in that clean-cut, sweet-boy-next-door kind of way, and that had always worked for me.
“Look who’s talking,” he returned, taking hold of my upper arms and holding me out at arm’s length. “My god, you’re even more beautiful than you were back in high school. Didn’t thinkthat was possible.” A tinge of pink rose up on the apples of his cheeks as he admitted, “You know, I had the biggest crush on you back then.”
My cheeks pinched as my smile widened. “Aw, you did? I had no clue.” I lowered my eyes, feeling my own cheeks flush with heat. “I crushed on you back then too.”
His whole face lit up. “I’m actually moving back next month. If you’re not seeing anyone, I’d love to take you to dinner. You know, if you’re interested?”
“I’m single,” I said quickly and with a little too much enthusiasm. I cleared my throat, trying to regain my cool. “And I’d love to go to dinner.”
“Great. I’m really looking forward to it.”
I could still feel that tingle along my spine, but I refused to look and see if Beau was still watching. “Yeah. Me too.”