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I slap him on the arm and laugh. “Don’t you dare. You’re not cutting my food, nor are you feeding me. And I’m not filling out anything.”

He wiggles his eyebrows. “We’ll see about that.”

“No, we won’t,” I say, still laughing. “I mean it, no funny business.”

He squeezes my hand again and grins at me. Gosh, how I’d love for him to squeeze my hand like that every single day.

“Walk you home?” he asks.

I get up and brush the sand off my clothes. “Sounds good.”

“The long way?” he asks.

I nod. I’d walk this entire beach back and forth fifty times if it meant spending more time with Colton.

Later that night, I’m tucked in bed, yet can’t sleep. I’m wide awake, going over my conversation with Colton. The fact that he wants to figure out if we’re right for each other feels exhilarating, but I’m also kind of confused. Are we a thing now? Like an exclusive couple? Or are we just testing the waters? What if he decides I’m not as amazing as he thought I’d be?

Oh my God, he’s going to realize I’m not worth his time and end this thing before it’s even started. I’ll have to move houses, find a new job, maybe new friends. What am I going to do?

I take a deep breath in. I shouldn’t think like that. He told me he likes me, mere hours ago. Surely that must mean something. The thought of his soft lips, his strong hands, his words, and his smile make me feel incredibly warm and happy. I can’t wait until we’re completely alone again.

Wow. I’m free-falling into the most massive crush ever.

Chapter Twelve

Colton

I don’t know what came over me yesterday, but Elle and I shared the most amazing kiss ever. It took everything I had to stop it. I didn’t want to, but I felt I needed to. After what happened a few years back, I owe that to Maggie. I can’t risk her friendship with Elle. Losing one friend thanks to me was one too many.

Elle and I decided to stay friends for now and go on a few dates to see where this will lead. But man, do I want to be with her… It’s almost unbearable. I don’t even know how I was able to utter that word. Friends. It’s not enough.

“Don’t you agree?”

“Huh?” My fantasies about Elle are cut short and I’m catapulted back into reality. It’s only now that I remember I’m at work—not an ideal place to be daydreaming about the girl I like.

Sarah levels me with a look and laughs. “Dreaming about a girl, Prince Charming?”

I shake my head. I’m not ready to tell her. If one person around here knows, everyone else will as well. “Sorry, what were you saying?”

“Don’t go changing the subject, mister. Please tell me all the goss. And then I’ll share a little secret with you too.”

I get up and we start our daily walk to the park’s castle. “I was just thinking about fitness equipment,” I lie.

“Really?” The way she furrows her brow tells me she doesn’t believe one word of it.

“Yeah, you know what they say about guys and their toys,” I answer with a grin. “I’m having new equipment delivered later today.” I’m not. In fact, the only workout equipment I own is my punch bag and a bench to do weights, but Sarah doesn’t need to know that.

She laughs. “Oh, Colton, this is too relatable. My husband keeps hauling in these outdoor cooking supplies. They’re taking over the house! Everywhere I look I find a new pair of skewers or bags of charcoal. You’d think outdoor cooking supplies should be outside but he says they need to be kept in the best possible condition, which, apparently, means being indoors.”

I’m glad she believes me, even though it doesn’t feel good to lie to her. I don’t have a choice, though. Elle and I agreed to keep everything between us a secret, and I’m not going to break her trust.

“What about you?” I ask. “What secret are you hiding?”

She smiles, her eyes sparkling. “I’m hiding it under my shirt. Well, my dress.”

I look at her dress, but don’t see anything out of the ordinary. She looks at me as if I’m supposed to know what she means.

“You’ve got food under there or something? Did you bring me a candy bar or are you keeping everything to yourself?”