Whatever it was brewing between her andAsher, chemistry or something, it was stronger than any crush she’dever felt. It’s not like she was the type to jump in some guy’s bedbecause he had a reputation and an incredible body. Concealing herfeelings from her friend was downright painful. Foreign.
Pasting on her cheeriest face, Sophie knewshe couldn’t go pout alone like she’d wanted, and instead joinedthe others in the hot tub. She didn’t look back at Asher again,knowing he would be avoiding the crowded hot tub. The four in thetub scooched a bit to make room for her.
Grady made sure there was an open seat rightnext to him. He was perfect for her; maybe she could muster up anattraction. His interest was clear. “Have a nice swim?”
“Yes, that pool is amazing. Swimming hasalways been a favorite outlet of mine.” She tried to ignore his armstretching out on the edge of the tub behind her, his hand grazingthe edge of her shoulder. Why didn’t that create any tingles likeeven a simple glance from Asher? Maybe Pippa was right; her brotherwas a lady killer and would dump her as fast as he had the rest,once he’d gotten her into his bed.
Pippa nudged her with her foot. “I wassurprised you hadn’t been in yet. Asher practically lived in thepool growing up. He’s part fish like you are.” For someone soagainst them being together, she certainly wasn’t helping bypointing out everything they had in common.
Attempting to give Grady a chance, shepolitely turned towards him. “You swim much?” Please say yes. Itmight make him more appealing.
Distracted, his eyes poorly tried to stay onher face, but unmistakably glanced down her top. He hesitatedbefore responding. “Huh? Oh. No, not really. I can, but I preferrelaxing in the hot tub. Horseback riding, or even golf or hockeyare more my outlets.”
Great. She hated all three. Not only that,for a decent guy, he sure didn’t seem to realize a woman could tellwhen he was checking out her boobs. She could tell he was trying tobe subtle; he just was failing at it. Didn’t help she was nippingthrough her swimsuit, transitioning from the refreshingly cold poolto the sweltering tub. And she couldn’t deny the fact that she’dworn her top that hinted she may slip out of it with a deep breathto torture Asher.
She nodded politely, having no idea what moreto say. Her eyes wandered in the direction of the pool stairs,where Asher was just coming out and drying off. He looked asmiserable as she felt, his movements dragging and lethargic.
***
Pippa hollered to her brother, “You comingin? We’ve got room. I think these boys have the bachelor partyplanned without you.”
Throwing the towel over his shoulder, hewalked over, but didn’t get in. Standing awkwardly at the side, heput his non-towel hand on his hip. “I’m tired, think I’ll hit therack.” Looking to Lincoln, he managed to smile and a wink. “Wehiring a stripper or flying to Vegas?”
Lincoln pulled Pippa closer and kissed herloudly on the cheek. “Hell no. A round of golf at the club–aslawyers we are mandatory members. Then, thought we’d join theladies at Ahab’s, as neither of us really have any friends outsideof you losers.”
Asher spared a glance for Sophie, clearlynoting her keeping the maximum distance from Grady, yet Grady’shand lightly brushed her shoulder. He just barely managed to hidehis wince as he restrained himself from hauling Grady’s ass out ofthe tub and kicking it.
He gritted his teeth to hide the vivid,violent picture forming in his head. So, this is what jealouslyfelt like. A very new sensation when it came to women. He didn’treally care for it.
Poor cavemen were judged rather harshly; nottheir fault they dragged their women off to where other cavemencouldn’t see them… And drove them wild with pleasure after peelingoff their little cavewoman skimpy scrap of leather clothes… hourafter hour.Down boy.“Sounds great. I’m a terrible golfer,if it helps. Will there be beer involved?”
Hand now fully on Sophie’s shoulder, Gradypretended he wasn’t doing it on purpose. Asher watched as Sophiestruggled to find a polite way to let Grady know she wasn’tinterested. She was too dang nice, never wanting someone to feelbad. Of course, she didn’t realize she was torturing the poor guyby not telling him outrightly how she felt.
Lincoln chuckled, “Is there another way toplay golf?”
Sophie slowly inched away, but clearlycouldn’t figure out how to do it without making it look like a verypublic rejection. “Why don’t you boys go finish planning in thepool or inside while we girls plan in here?”
Eyebrows scrunched together, Pippa looked ather like she was nuts. Thankfully, she seemed to finally catchSophie’s dilemma and agreed. “Good call. We’d hate for you to hearabout our plans for the stripper we’ve hired for our party beforewe join you at Ahab’s.”
Lincoln kissed his fiancée sweetly beforeclimbing out. Grady gave Sophie a friendly wink and followed theother guys out. Freya eyed the interaction with curiosity.
***
Watching the boys dry off and wander backinto the house, Pippa waited until the door was closed before shedrilled Sophie. “What gives?”
Chest rising out of the hot water as she tooka deep breath, Sophie didn’t want to completely lie to the bestfriend she’d ever had. “I’m just not sure I’m interested inGrady.”
Shifting across the tub, Pippa put her handon Sophie’s forehead. “No fever. You’re not any paler than usual.”She shifted back into her own seat. “What’s wrong with you? You andGrady would be great together. I thought you were into him.”
Sophie pouted pitifully. “He’s gorgeous andfunny and decent… if perhaps a bit forward. I’m working on beinginto him but it’s just not happening.”
Finally, Freya piped in, floating just abovethe jets at her back, her eyes closed peacefully. “You can’t forcethese things. If the pheromones aren’t there, it just isn’t goingto happen.”
Pippa splashed across the tub, almostreaching Freya. Magically, the spray stopped a few inches beforeher relaxed, jetlagged face. “Don’t encourage her. Sophie will stewand procrastinate and overanalyze every little detail and wind upeternally single.”
Smug grin on her face, Freya didn’t botheropening her eyes or even looking at her cousin. “Maybe it takes anoutsider to see, but Sophie doesn’t need any help in the romancedepartment. She’s picky because she’s not settling for anythingless than remarkable.”
Pippa rolled her eyes, “You’re a hopelessromantic. You haven’t heard about the many, many broken heartsSophie left in her wake. All very attractive, good guys that shewouldn’t give the time of day.”
