“It doesn’t work. I’ve tried.”
“Does she have a magic—”
“No.” Reed chuckles, cutting me off before I’ve finished my sentence. “It’s nothing like that. She’s just…”
He trails off but he doesn’t have to explain. “Sometimes we just want what the heart wants,” I say for him. ”No reason behind it.”
“Exactly. Because fuck if I know why I still want her after all these years.”
“I like your honesty, Coombs.”
“Well, Jackman, I value your lack of judgement.”
“Who says I’m not—” He cuts me off with his fiery stare and I smile. “Trust me, I am the last person who should be judging anyone about their love life.”
“Or lack of it.”
“Or lack of it. I’m here to commiserate.”
Reed smiles and it’s one of those “melt your panties” smiles that has the girls next to us practically drooling. “I appreciate it,” he says, once again oblivious to the attention. Something he and Bria have in common.
We fall silent for a beat, people watching until Reed shivers. “Okay, Hayls. This has been fun, but my balls are officially numb.”
“I knew it! What happened to ‘I’ve felt cold like you couldn’t comprehend’?” I put on my best Reed accent and while he laughs, it’s clearly pained. He’s struggling.
“I’ve obviously become accustomed to the warmer weather since I’ve lived here.”
“How long have you lived in Cali?”
“Since I was seventeen.”
“Eleven years? Of course you’re used to warmer weather now.”
“How come you’re not cold?”
“I’m freaking freezing.” I stand up and point to my nipples standing at attention, visible through the thin material of my bikini. “This would never happen if I was warm.”
Being the gentleman that he is, Reed looks away as soon as he realizes what I’m showing him and shakes his head. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I’m no quitter. But since you said it first, I’m getting out.” With that, I run toward our cabana, instantly grabbing my towel, wrapping it around myself as Reed arrives.
“Here.” I pass him the extra one I brought with me since he assumed he wouldn’t get wet, and he shivers again, curling it around his shoulders, using the end to dry his hair.
“Fuck. It’s colder out here than in there.”
“It usually is.”
“Why couldn’t you have chosen this activity in August?”
“Because I only thought of it this week.”
“And you always do things as soon as you think of them?”
“Absolutely. I’m impulsive like that. Consider yourself lucky I waited until today. I’ve been thinking about this since Saturday.”
Reed hits me with that genuine smile of his and it brings out one of my own as my chest heats. “What’s that for?” I ask curiously.
“What’s what for?”
