“Alright, you’re all done,” he says, shifting again behind me, and I thank the universe that with all that, he didn’t notice that I haven’t put sunscreen on my uncovered ass.Small victories.“Can you take care of mine?”
“Sure,” I say, starting to turn and bracing myself for the sight of his chest, only to exhale in relief when I notice he’s already showing me his back.
Hisbroadback. Damn, I’m not even sure I have enough leftover sunscreen to cover all of it.
He tilts his head to the sides, probably stretching, and the movement makes the muscles from his shoulders and neck ripple.
I swallow through the dryness of my throat and lift my hands to place them on the surface right in front of me: the spot between his shoulder blades.
His skin is warm. Soft. Damn, it might be only his back, but it does bring up memories… And all those lean muscles moving every time he just shifts slightly?
This’ a hot back.
I let my hands wander lower, making sure to cover every inch of the golden skin, until I reach the dimples above his swimsuit—Oh. My. God. Dimples.
I catch myself the moment both my thumbs slide closer in wonder, and pull my hands back abruptly.
“All done!”
I turn around and almost run the two steps towards the long chair—yes,run, as ridiculous as it sounds to run six feet.
“Okay, we’re going in the water,” Jack says, taking Ikram’s hand to stand up from the low chair. “And before you freak out, don’t worry we won’t go too far, and if the pain becomes too much, we’ll come back and rest,” he adds, giving me a pointed look.
I lift up my hands in surrender. “I didn’t say anything.”
He only narrows his eyes in response before Ikram and him start to walk towards the ocean, just about sixty feet from us. I can’t help but smile in admiration. Even if Ikram is supporting him at the waist, Jack walks almost without leaning into him.
And that small miracle is one we owe to Nate. Nate who’s now standing next to me and watching Jack walk away. Nate who looks like he’s not planning on going in the water nor soaking in the sun.
28
I THOUGHT I DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN
Prudence: Where are you girls?
Nuri: I want to buy a hat.
Nuri: Evie is with me, making sure I don’t get lost.
Prudence: Why not askme?
Nuri: You looked so focused on your work, we didn’t want to stop you.
Nuri: And before you start to go all insecure on me, no I’m not replacing you with Evie.
Nuri: Although, she’s kind of amazing.
Nuri: Can I ask her to come to girls’ night with us tonight?
Prudence: Absolutely. I was going to ask you the same.
Nuri: She said yes.
Nuri: We’ll also buy wine on our way back.
PRUDENCE
Nate was right.
