Page 45

She cocks her head in confusion. “I thought that blonde and you were through?”

“We are. It’s someone new.”

“Oh, really. Anyone I know?”

I smile. The lies leaving my tongue feel sweeter the more I say them. “No.” I down the rest of my beer in one gulp and toss the empty bottle in the makeshift recycling bin. “I have a few people to see. Take care, Hayley.”

Before she can respond, I’m across the beach and heading straight for the only person I want to speak to tonight.

“That’s great, Luna. I’m so proud of you,” is the first thing I hear as I sidle up alongside her and Luke. He’s got his hand planted on her back as he refills her wine.

In the soft light of the flames, I can see her eyes are slightly glazed. She’s had too much to drink. Concern rips through me; she never drinks much. How many times has he refilled her cup?

“Hey,” she says as a dazed smile breaks out across her face.

“Hey. You having a good time there?” I ask in the lightest tone I have, tipping my chin at her drink.

“Yep,” she replies, popping her p.

“Luna was just filling me in on her promotion at work,” Luke interjects, and I don’t miss the tinge of smugness to his smile, like he’s revealing something I don’t already know.

But does he know all the ways she can come undone for me? Does he know when she comes hard that the tips of her ears turn a cute crimson? I wonder if he knows she’s my date to the gala on Saturday night?

“Yeah. Luna mentioned it. It’s awesome.” I reply.

Silence stretches between us. Perhaps if I hover here for long enough, he’ll stop touching her and fuck off.

Luke’s eyes narrow slightly at me. “Back to Seattle tomorrow then, buddy?”

I side-eye Luna, who’s staring down into her wine. A cloud of guilt settles over me. I don’t want to be the reason she feels awkward, and my asshole behavior is doing just that.

I work to keep my tone light. “Yeah, the place is finished, so I’m all set to head back and start pre-season.”

Luke nods and turns to Luna, his hand traveling down another inch on her back. My blood boils, knowing she won’t like it. I also know she won’t want me to call him out—she likes to do that herself. “Speaking of renovations. I can still hang those prints if you want me to.”

“Oh, she’s got that down herself,” I cut in.

Being an asshole again, Zach.

Luna’s eyes twinkle at me in amusement, and fuck if it doesn’t trip me out. “Thanks, but Zach’s right, I’ve been layingfloorboards all summer. Me and a hammer are like this.” She holds up a hand and crosses her pointer and second finger over.

Luke balks slightly, clearly not liking her response. “Huh, okay. But if you change your mind, I’m not working tomorrow—day off. I can come over and sort them if you need. You’re probably swamped with schoolwork now.”

Shit. He doesn’t know she’s out of town with me for the next few days.

Luna quickly throws me a look that screams “please don’t say anything.”

I got you, Rocket.

Shoving his hands in the pockets of his shorts, Luke finally relinquishes his hold on Luna’s back. “It’s getting late, and I guess we’re finished up with the food.”

He begins clearing everything and then grabs a bag, striding down the beach to toss it in the trash.

I reach over and take Luna’s wine and set it on the table in front of us. “Walk with me?”

The urge to take her hand in mine threatens to overwhelm my entire thought process as we make our way down the shore. She looks gorgeous in a pale pink tasseled dress and a cute turquoise clip pinning her long hair up.

It feels like forever passes when she finally speaks. “Everything feels weird between us.”