Asking each other what we were thinking about had become our thing over the last few weeks. I liked having something that was ours. I didn’t talk about my thoughts much—it wasn’t easy for me—but I enjoyed letting her in. Even if I did have to twist the truth slightly every now and then. Because if I was completely honest, I’d just be telling her that I was thinking about her. Each and every time she asked.
Like right now.
I couldn’t tell her what I was actually thinking about. No fucking way.
I couldn’t tell her how the image of her in the red bikini was forever engraved in my brain. How I wasstillthinking about her in that yellow bikini from earlier in the summer. Or how thedenim shorts she had on hugged her ass like they were made for her. About how fucking hard I’d almost gotten at her comment from earlier—about her walking around naked.
I knew Juliette was a beautiful woman the moment we met—I wasn’t fucking blind—but the more time we spent together, the more the attraction grew. The more I couldn’t look away. Her long, tan legs. Hips I could easily sink my fingers into. Plump, pink lips that I knew would taste so damn sweet.
We were out on the water—my favorite place besides my house and Lake Ridge—and all I could think about was her. Normally, I was taking in the scenery, the clear water sparkling in the sun, the line of trees in the distance, the clouds in the bright blue sky. But as soon as Juliette stepped onto my boat, none of that mattered. She took all of my attention.
Needing to respond, I settled on, “I’m glad you came out here with us.”
A genuine smile bloomed across her full lips. “Me, too.”
Her smile was so damn infectious, and I was proud to be on the receiving end of it for once. Earlier today, when I saw her upset and with red-rimmed eyes, it was like I’d been punched in the stomach and got the wind knocked out of me. I had a primal urge to make her feel better, to fix whatever was bothering her.
The way Juliette looked right now—smiling and happy—was exactly how she deserved to always be.
“How about you? What’re you thinking about?”
She twisted her lips to the side. “How I forgot to bring sunglasses. I guess it doesn’t matter now since we’re almost done being out on the water.”
I tsked. “Thought you’d have a million pairs of those, city girl.” The nickname didn’t have the usual bite behind it.
Juliette playfully rolled her eyes. “I have my million pairs in the cabin. I forgot to bring them on the boat.”
“Should’ve said something sooner.” Without giving it a second thought, I swiped the Lake Ridge cap off my head and set it on hers. I reached around to carefully tighten it so it wouldn’t fall off with the wind. Satisfied, I leaned back, taking her in. “That should help at least a little bit.”
She looked damn good in my hat, and she looked damn good on my boat.
Juliette gingerly reached her fingertips up to touch the fabric, almost as if she didn’t believe she was wearing it. “Yeah, this…works. Thanks, Wes.” She chewed on her bottom lip as she glanced around, taking in our surroundings as Lily’s playlist crooned in the background. “It’s truly beautiful out here. I can see why you like spending time out on the water so much.”
“I’ve always felt most like myself when I’m out on the water. Normally, I don’t like to be alone with my thoughts. I’m always thinking aboutsomething, what the bar needs, how to help my parents…” I faltered. “Second-guessing if I’m good enough. If owning the bar is enough. If I’m successful enough. But something about this scenery lets me just…be. Lets me appreciate what I have and really puts it into perspective.”
Juliette reached over, setting her soft palm on top of my knuckles. “Of course, you’re enough, Wesley.”
“You don’t have to?—”
“Let me finish,” she interrupted, giving me a look. “I’ve seen how people in this town respect you, how they look up to you. I know I haven’t been here long, but I noticed that right away. You are more than enough, but you’re also more than what you’ve accomplished. It’s so easy to get caught up in it all, in comparing yourself to others and wondering if you’re on the right path. I know I’ve struggled with it, and part of the reason I’m here is to get on the right path. I’m glad you have a place you can go to quiet those concerns, because this town wouldn’t be the same without you.”
I rubbed my chest, right over where my heart was.Fuck.No one had ever said something like that to me, especially after only knowing me for a month. Somehow Juliette knew how to speak to my soul. I didn’t deserve it, especially not after how I had treated her when she first got to town.
“I’m glad you found yourself in Golden Falls,” I said truthfully. “Hopefully this can be the place for you to figure out what you need. Get you on your right path.” I still didn’t know exactly what she was running from, and while I didn’t have a right to know—we weren’t friends—I was more curious than ever.
“I hope so. I really like Golden Falls. I’ve never felt this way about a place before,” she said wistfully, her voice quiet.
“Did that neighbor of yours stop giving you trouble?” The lighthearted teasing in my voice surprised even me.
“Gosh, he really is the worst, isn’t he?” She looked back at me, trying to keep a straight face but failing. She burst into laughter.
“Ha, ha. Very funny,” I deadpanned.
“Actually, you’re not so bad, Wesley. I think this town might be big enough for the both of us. For the summer, of course.”
“Yeah, I think it might be.”
It didn’t take long after that for Juliette to doze off. With everyone napping, I took my time getting us back to the dock. Plus, with Cooper asleep, it meant he couldn’t flirt with Juliette. And that was fine with me. I knew he was doing it to get a riseout of me, and he enjoyed every second of it. He’d make Juliette laugh and then goddamn wink at me.
