“Fine. I’ll go. When are we meeting?”
The loud squeal on the other end of the line causes me to pull my phone back from my ear.
“We’ll pick you up in an hour. Wear something hot. We’re going to make these boys pant.”
I smile at her positive energy. It really is contagious.
An hour later, I slide into the back of Keaton’s Bentley next to Tinsley.
“Damn, M, you took what I said to heart.” Tinsley’s teasing causes Keaton to look back and take a closer look at me.
I’m not wearing anything special. I threw on a yellow sundress that falls midthigh with a pair of my favorite black flats. I considered wearing heels, but with as much abuse as I have put my feet through over the years, I decided to take it easy on them. Well, that and I don’t want to twist my ankle again.
The heat of Keaton’s gaze as he studies my body makes me uncomfortable—but in a good way, as if my body is heating just from his stare.
“What do you think, Keaton? Is Morgan rocking it tonight or what?” Tinsley leans forward to nudge his arm.
He clears his throat. “You look gorgeous as always. Let’s get going.” He faces forward and engages Finley in conversation, leaving me and Tinsley to our own.
“Did you see his stare?” Tinsley whispers.
“Any red-blooded American male would look when a girl is showing some leg. It was nothing special.”
She shrugs before jumping into listing everyone she knows who will be at the party. That’s when I realize this isn’t a normal party. This was a public party, meaning I won’t know very many people there. Not that I really cared. I only came for Tinsley anyway.
As she tells me all the latest gossip, my eyes wander. I let myself drink in Keaton while he’s distracted. Enjoying the way his forearms looks with his sleeves rolled up to his elbow, allowing me to view each muscle as he maneuvers the car. Those firm arms would have no problem picking me up, allowing me to wrap my legs around his waist.
I shake the thought off and try to refocus, but after a moment, I let my gaze find him again, taking in the side of his face, the slight stubble from the day-old growth that he didn’t shave. Mindlessly, my fingers reach up to trail across my lips as I think about how the stubble would feel between my thighs. He turns then, laughing out at something Finley says. My heart catches at the pure joy on his face.
Then he glances back, meeting my gaze. His eyes soften as he gives me a smile before turning his eyes back to the road.
“Earth to Morgan.” Tinsley nudges me.
“What?” I look over at her and see her knowing smile. “Sorry. What were you saying?”
“You’re a goner, girl.” Her smile dims slightly. “Just like me. I hope you get a different reaction than I did.”
I pat her hand between us. “Don’t worry, Tin Tin. If it’s meant to be, it will happen. If not, then you know there’s a bigger plan out there for you. Something that will be better for you.”
“I hope so.” She zones off then, staring out the window.
Letting her have the moment to herself, I turn forward, catching Keaton’s gaze in the mirror. He gives me a questioning look. I send him a smile and shake my head slightly, letting him know to leave it alone. His look of understanding flickers before he looks back to the road.
The rest of the ride is filled by the boys’ boisterous laughs as they discuss whatever antics they’ve been getting into. It’s not until we pull up to a small house off the beach that they quiet down.
Keaton opens the door for Tinsley while Finley does the same for me. As he helps me out, I can’t help but make a comment to him. “Take it easy tonight. It breaks her to see you with someone else”
His shocked gaze meets mine, but it only lasts a moment. He doesn’t respond, but I feel like he understands what I mean. He walks away from me, up to the house, leaving me behind with Keaton and Tinsley.
“What was that about?” Keaton asks.
I shrug, not willing to divulge this particular piece of information.
“Let’s go get a drink.” Tinsley grabs my arm, pulling me away from Keaton.
“Only a couple and only from Rocky. Got it?” he calls after us while trailing behind.
“Yes, sir,” Tinsley yells back.
I can’t help but glance at him. He shoots me a wink.
✽✽✽
“Hey there.”
I jump as the voice from behind me comes suddenly.
“Hey.” I turn to meet the brown eyes of a boy—a boy that’s not Keaton. I let the disappointment hit me for just a moment before I push it away. So what, it's not Keaton. He’s probably off hitting on some girl, looking to get his dick sucked. Why am I still thinking about him again?
Then I realize I missed whatever the boy said.
Shit.
“I’m sorry. What was that?”
He gives me a huge smile, one that I have to admit is attractive. Taking a closer look at him, I realize he’s handsome. Standing a little under six feet, his T-shirt stretches over his broad chest, showing that he’s athletic. His brown hair is a little shaggy, but in an adorable boyish way. Then there're the dimples. They are cute.
“I asked what was so interesting out there.” He points to Lake Michigan.
“Oh. I don’t know. The water has always calmed me. Something about the way the waves come and go sometimes, while other times it’s still. It speaks to me.”
“Very deep. My name is Ethan.” He reaches his hand out.
I take it, intending to shake it, but he pulls it up to his lips instead. I can’t deny that it makes me feel special.
“Morgan,” I breathe out.
“Nice
