Page 7 of It’s Only Love (Citrus Pines #1)

That evening Dean sat in a booth across from Beau at The Rusty Bucket Inn.

He stared at his best friend who had turned up on his doorstep with a six-pack and a suitcase.

Something had happened, this wasn’t like Beau.

Dean didn’t know what it was, and he didn’t want to pry.

He was just glad his friend was back in town.

Beau had moved to L.A. about fourteen years ago.

He became a hugely successful personal trainer and started his own gym company called Beau’s Bodies .

He mainly worked with actors, keeping them in shape, helping them bulk up or slim down for new movie roles.

As a teenager, Beau had his own body and fitness battles which he had worked hard to overcome.

Dean was so proud of everything his friend had achieved.

Dean and Beau used to visit each other regularly, but it had been a while due to how busy they both were. He was happy to see Beau at his door, no matter the reasons for his return, and was thrilled to have him stay as long as possible.

Beau took a swig of his beer. “You and Tay still doing your dinners?” he asked.

Dean nodded. “Yeah, not quite every week but often enough.”

As the song on the jukebox ended and quiet descended over the bar, Taylor’s dark chuckle echoed around the building. He watched as Beau’s eyes flicked over to her. His gaze tracking her body and his face flushing before looking away.

“Anything new with her?” Beau asked, sounding bored, but Dean knew better.

“Nope, no boyfriend if that’s what you’re asking.”

“It wasn’t.” Beau rolled his eyes. “Seriously, we gonna do this again? I’m not interested, okay?

We can’t stand each other.” His eyes found Taylor again and lingered in a way that made Dean feel like he needed to be her protective older brother.

He grabbed a handful of nuts from the bowl on the table and tossed them at Beau.

“If you say so, bro.”

“Real mature,” Beau muttered, brushing them onto the floor.

Dean chuckled but got distracted as the door opened and Justine came in carrying her guitar, followed by Christy.

A bolt of lust punched Dean straight in the chest as he took Christy in.

Fuck, she looks good . The ends of her curls teased her neck and bare shoulders.

The lush tops of her breasts peeking out over the edge of her silly little pink sundress.

The dress nipped in at her waist and flared out over the curve of her rounded hips before stopping mid-thigh, her creamy skin on display.

Little white sandals wrapped around her feet.

Dean’s mouth ran dry, and his pants started to tighten.

“You okay, buddy?” Beau asked, drawing his attention.

“Huh? Uh, yeah,” Dean replied, voice slightly husky. Beau smirked at him.

“Who’s got you looking like you need a cold shower, or fifty?” Beau glanced around the bar and spotted Justine who was standing in front of Christy, shielding her from view.

“Ah, you're still trying to date Justine, huh?”

“Justine? Oh yeah, um, she’s still turning me down,” Dean replied, trying to inject some disappointment into his tone. They both looked back over as Justine moved, and Christy came back into view.

Beau whistled low. “Damn, who’s the blond?”

Dean’s stomach dipped slightly. This is what he had been afraid of. “It’s Christy Lee,” he gritted out.

“No shit! Christy?”

As though she heard them, Christy turned in their direction, spotting Dean.

She headed over. As she walked towards them her eyes moved to Beau and widened, her step faltered slightly and the pit in Dean’s stomach grew.

Shit, he needed to get Christy away from Beau as quickly as possible before the inevitable happened and Beau asked her out.

His friend was clearly going through something and the last thing he needed was a brief fling with Christy that was sure to end in heartache.

Dean was just trying to do his friend a favor, that’s all, he was good like that.

“Beau, is that you?” Christy gasped when she reached them, ignoring Dean completely. He watched as her baby blues roved over Beau, she looked like she was ready to start panting. Dean bit the inside of his cheek in annoyance .

“Is that me?! Is that you , Christy? You look amazing!” Beau gushed, standing up to greet her.

Beau towered over her, making Dean realize just how petite she was.

Beau bent down and gave her a lingering kiss on the cheek and Dean noticed twin spots of pink brighten her cheeks which made him feel— nothing.

Nothing at all. Absolutely not one damn thing.

“Oh, you charmer!” she chided lightly, smacking Beau’s solid chest. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be training all those gorgeous movie stars in L.A.?”

“Well, I’ve got to give them a break sometime, don’t want to work them too hard,” he replied smoothly, winking at her. Christy giggled and Dean rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath. He finally caught her attention.

“Hey, Dean,” she said softly. The flirty smile disappeared as she took in his frown, which annoyed him.

Did he not deserve her flirty smiles too?

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Beau check her out, which ticked him off even more.

He needed to get rid of her quickly before Beau could make a move.

“I just wanted to say thank you for fixing my car and not charging me. You didn’t have to do that, especially after the way I behaved earlier today.” Her eyes shifted away like she didn’t want to face him.

“Don’t mention it,” he said abruptly, needing her gone.

“No, really, you didn’t deserve that and I...”

“Seriously, don’t mention it,” he interrupted, panic rising in his chest.

Beau shot him a questioning look.

“Oh, well thanks anyway,” she said quietly, and he felt like a jackass. She shifted from one foot to the other .

Beau continued to stare at him as if he grew another head.

“Well, see you around. Was real nice to see you again, Beau.” She offered him a shy smile.

“You too, sweetheart,” Beau drawled as she walked away.

Dean breathed a sigh of relief as they managed to avoid Beau asking her out.

“Asshole!” Beau hissed, punching his arm.

“Ouch, what was that for?” he asked, rubbing his arm where it started to burn.

“Were you actually just rude to that beautiful woman for no reason whatsoever?”

“She’s not that beautiful,” Dean mumbled, instantly regretting the lie.

“Are you kidding me? You blind as well as stupid? She’s beautiful.” Beau looked over at Christy as she joined Justine and Taylor at the bar. Dean saw a gleam in Beau’s eye and his heart sank.

“In fact, I’m feeling thirsty. I’ll get us some more beers, you sit tight.” Beau flashed him a shit-eating grin as he got up and swaggered over to the women.

*

“He’s gorgeous,” Christy sighed to Justine and Taylor.

“He’s not that gorgeous,” Taylor muttered tartly.

“Who shit in your shoes this morning?” Christy asked, and Justine snorted, both women staring at her.

“What? It’s an expression from the city,” she shrugged, patting her curls demurely.

She glanced over her shoulder back at Dean and Beau, feeling slightly breathless at the sight of them together.

Beau was stunning to look at, but she would be on her deathbed before she admitted to anyone that Dean was gorgeous, and maybe not even then.

That man, judging by his behavior just now, clearly still thought very little of her.

He was rude and completely embarrassed her in front of Beau.

Her eyes shifted to Beau. He had certainly changed since she last saw him.

He had a growth spurt, was likely 6’3” now.

Gone was the baby fat that made him so adorable, hard muscle had taken its place.

His dark hair was just long enough to see a faint curl forming.

He had high cheekbones, with a hard square jawline that was dusted with faint stubble.

A straight nose and full, wide lips, but the pièce de résistance were his eyes.

They were dark, wide pools that curved upward at the edges with thick lashes.

On any other male they would have looked feminine, but they softened his angular features.

“He’s definitely changed while he’s been away,” Justine said, also staring at him.

“Still got that boring, goody-goody personality though. No amount of sexy can make up for that,” Taylor grumbled.

“Oh, so now he’s sexy?” Christy teased, and Justine spun around to face them.

“Ssh! He’s coming over!” she hissed. She and Christy pretended they were deep in conversation while Taylor just ignored him.

“Ladies, looking beautiful this evening,” Beau said, smiling at Justine and Christy before turning his attention to the bar.

“Oh, Taylor, I didn’t see you there,” he continued, Christy watched Justine smother a laugh behind her hand and Taylor smiled sharply at Beau.

“Can I get a couple of drinks?” he asked Taylor, winking at Christy .

“Of what?” Taylor snapped.

“You’re the bartender, surprise me,” he said, still looking at Christy. She thought she heard Taylor mutter asshole under her breath as she turned away to start making the drinks, but she could be mistaken.

“So, Beau, are you in town for long?” Christy asked, she glanced around him and saw Dean scowling in their direction. He probably still thinks I’m not good enough for Beau, after all this time .

“Hopefully long enough to take you out,” he replied.

Christy blinked in surprise.

“ Damn , that was smooth,” Justine whispered loudly.

“You wanna take me out?” Christy squeaked. Could he still be interested in her after all this time? She started doubting herself, and then remembered she wasn’t meant to do that anymore. Of course, he wants to take you out, you’re a smart, gorgeous woman, remember?!