Page 61 of One Golden Summer

“High five?”

Kirsty gave her a look. “Let’s just walk to the bar, shall we?”

Saffron did as she was told.

Kirsty tried to regulate her breathing. It wasn’t easy. “By the way, you look incredible, too.”

Chapter 20

Saffron continued to sneak glimpses of Kirsty as they walked—no, strolled to the bar. Damn, the woman was the definition of smoking hot and it was going to take a lot of self-control not to keep saying that.

Kirsty cranked her head, looking at Saffron, with a raised brow that meant business.

Uh oh. Think, Saffron.“This is nice, isn’t it? Two friends, lackadaisically making their way for a friendly night out.”

“I-it is.” The words escaped Kirsty hesitantly, as if waiting for the punchline. “Was that your way of saying I’m walking too slowly?”

“Not at all.” Saffron bumped her shoulder into Kirsty. “I might be getting the hang of this.”

“Of what?”

“Enjoying the moment, not rushing from one place to the next. And, with you, which makes it extra nice.” Saffron flinched. Kirsty had been clear. This didn’t qualify as a date, so it was paramount not to utter statements like that. Was there a way to suck those words back into her mouth?

Kirsty stopped in her tracks. “Do we need to define what this is again?”

“It most definitely isn’t a date.” Saffron ground her thumb into her palm but couldn’t stop herself from grinning like a fool.

“Your smile says differently.” Kirsty also seemed to be losing thewhatever you do, don’t grinbattle.

“This is just how I am when I’m totally relaxed. It must be the sea air. It’s done more for me than three years of painful massage treatments.” Saffron shook her arms out and rolled her neck, the smile still firmly affixed.

“You kind of look like a creepy doll.”

“Your digs aren’t going to work.” Saffron briefly clasped a hand around Kirsty’s, but quickly dropped it. “Here we are. Let me get the door. Not because it’s a date. It’s just the right thing to do.” She yanked it open, expecting it to be much heavier than it was, smashing it into her forehead, nearly knocking herself over. “I’m okay. That was totally planned.”

“Yeah, right. I never would have guessed an action star would actually be so clumsy.” Kirsty chuckled.

“If you could keep that morsel to yourself, I’d greatly appreciate it. I’ve got a rep to protect.” Saffron pressed a finger to her lips, delighting in seeing Kirsty’s gaze skim along the finger and landing on the lips. Kirsty visibly swallowing.

Inside the Harbour Bar, Saffron spied a high table with two stools, and placed a hand on the small of Kirsty’s back, guiding them, pleasantly surprised Kirsty didn’t break the contact. That had to be a good sign, but probably best to keep playing it cool. Or Kirsty would continue to call Saffron out, and she hated hearing how they were only friends.

Saffron pretended to hold an order pad. “What can I get you, Ms?”

Kirsty, though, stared past Saffron as if she’d seen a dead relative spring back to life.

Saffron stood closer. “You okay?”

“It’s Anna.”

Saffron started to turn her head—

“No, don’t.” Kirsty held Saffron’s chin in place, their eyes locking for a blissful second, before Kirsty’s hand dropped like a stone.

Saffron froze before regaining the ability to speak. “Anna, Anna? Your ex?”

“Yes.” The blood seeped out of Kirsty’s thinning lips.

“Do you want to go somewhere else?”