Page 19
Chapter seventeen
Naomi
I let Robbie lead me across the sandy court to the outdoor patio of Sunny’s.
Just past the group of umbrella-clad tables and under the neon-yellow sign is a door that leads to the inside dining area and bar.
Sunny’s on the Lake is widely known as the best place for tacos within the tri-city area—something we’ve taken advantage of more times than I can count.
As we climb the creaky wooden stairs toward the table our friends have already claimed, I tighten my grip on Robbie’s hand and let my mind drift.
What if we actually gave in to this newfound chemistry between us, and this whole thing wasn’t fake?
What if he wasn’t just holding my hand to prove a point but instead because he wanted to?
What if we really were two friends who happened to fall in love?
My mind slips easily into a daydream, imagining that, in another universe, we were dragged here by our friends for a surprise engagement party inside the bar, where everyone we know is hiding in the corners to jump out and congratulate us.
They will, of course, gush over the sweet and intimate proposal that Robbie executed, complete with a heart-shaped flower display in the middle of the bridge overlooking the river.
We told everyone of the engagement immediately—all the details except for our secret plan to run away and elope in Vegas before spending a solid three weeks on a houseboat on Lake Tahoe for a honeymoon.
“First round is on me,” Toby announces. His voice brings me back to reality, where I’m, in fact, not engaged to the love of my life, but am, instead, pathetically pretending to be attached to my friend.
Clearly, I’m allowing this facade to mess with me as the lines between reality and pretend are getting much too blurry.
The tension that had been slowly building after my illness seems to have only been further cemented after our kiss at The Squirrely Bear.
I’ve been living in this continuous limbo state, not knowing what any of it means or what he’s thinking.
My mind has been absolutely swirling with possibilities, and if I’m honest, it’s getting a bit exhausting.
“Thank you,” I say to Toby as I grab a spicy margarita from the tray he sets on the table.
Wasting no time, Charlie bounds down the stairs heading toward one of the sand courts near the lake. “Boys vs. girls. Who’s ready to get demolished?”
Luke hops over the side railing, falling to the sand while the rest of us file down the stairs.
“Good luck.” Robbie winks at me before jogging to the opposite side of the court.
“For what it’s worth”—Rachel nudges my arm with her elbow—“I think you guys are adorable together.”
“Thanks, Rach.” A slow smile tugs at my lips as I watch the guys perform a ridiculous team handshake to pump themselves up. “It definitely wasn’t expected.”
“Sometimes the best things aren’t,” she says before taking her place at center court. For the next half-hour, we play a rowdy game of volleyball, getting sufficiently coated with sand. It ends with the girls beating the boys by one point, much to my delight.
“I still think you cheated,” Charlie accuses as we head back to our table, each one of us sufficiently out of breath and sticky hot from playing in this heat.
“Because that’s the only way girls can beat you?” Rachel challenges.
“He’s just a sore loser. You are absolutely the alpha sex,” Owen says through staggered breaths.
“Especially after a few too many drinks,” Toby says, patting his stomach.
“I need to use the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back,” I say to the group as I pass by our table. I’ve only made it about two steps when Gabby interrupts me.
“Hey, on your way back, can you grab me another margarita?”
I slow, stopping in my tracks completely. The old me would have said yes immediately, but I feel a small wave of resistance to giving in. Still, my throat feels stuck, and I can’t quite force the words out. I glance over at Robbie for moral support.
His eyes are already on mine, and he eagerly gives a tiny nod of encouragement. Apparently that’s all it takes to stand a little straighter and look Gabby dead in the eyes, the resolve within me growing stronger.
“Why don’t you come with me?” I suggest, my voice calm and direct. “We can get the next round together.”
I don’t miss the flash of surprise in her eyes, but it’s quickly covered by an obnoxious eye roll as she reluctantly stands to follow me.
“Whatever,” she grumbles under her breath.
A surge of pride rushes through me as we walk inside. I know, without even looking, that Robbie is also watching me with the same look of pride. Once inside, Gabby heads straight for the bar without so much as a word in my direction.
I meet her there after freshening up in the restroom, passing by the dart board and pinball machine on the way.
“Got ‘em ordered?” I ask, leaning over the bar top next to her. I make a point to have a friendly tone. Just because I’m learning to set boundaries doesn’t mean I need to lose my ability to be nice. I can be a respectful person who also has limits.
“Yup.” The annoyance in her tone isn’t lost on me. “You can carry it out.”
She’s almost all the way to the door before I have a chance to respond. So much for being friendly. I watch the bartenders as they work, feeling more defeated by the second. This is exactly why I don’t want to ruffle any feathers and why I always say yes to people.
I hate seeing anyone upset—especially at me.
With a sigh, I grab the tray of margaritas and head back outside, pushing the door open with my hip.
“Round two, anyone? I need to redeem myself,” Charlie calls, already bolting to the courts. I slide the tray carefully onto the table while smirking at him.
“I’m out this round.” I wave them off, watching the rest of the group follow behind him. Robbie’s the only one who stays in one place, leaving us alone again.
“This seat’s open,” he says, patting the top of his knee. I suppose we are within eyesight of the group. I assume that’s the sole motivation for the invitation, but it doesn’t stop my stomach from swooping all the same.
I slide sideways onto his lap, zeroing in on his hand that immediately wraps around my waist. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that my first thought is wondering what I can do to convince him to kiss that spot under my ear again. The sheer memory of it sends a shiver straight down my spine.
“Nice job standing up to Gabby,” he murmurs quietly.
“Yeah…except now she’s mad at me,” I grumble.
“Let her be.” He shrugs, tightening his grip. “You’re not responsible for her emotions.”
I sit with his words, allowing them to comfort me the same way his touch does as his hand slides across my hip. Before I can get too distracted by his touch, my phone trills with a message notification from inside my boat bag.
“It’s from my mom,” I tell Robbie as I skim the message. “She invited us to dinner tomorrow night. We don’t have to—”
“Let’s go,” he says instantly.
“Really?”
“Absolutely. My flight out is the morning after tomorrow, so that’s perfect timing.”
“You know my dad will be insufferable,” I point out, hoping I can somehow get him to be on the same page as me and we can avoid going at all.
“We can handle him…together,” he says close to my ear.
The confidence in his voice sends a surge of something exciting to my core.
Whether it’s a rush of courage or something more like attraction, I’m not so sure anymore.
I’m finding at this point, I don’t really care.
Either way, it’s something I’m enjoying.
“Alright,” I say hesitantly, still not convinced he understands what a dinner with my dad entails. “If you’re sure?”
“I’m sure,” he says firmly.
“The girls beat us again,” Owen announces, bounding back up the stairs.
“That’s because we suck,” Robbie says, handing him a margarita.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I worked up a sweat,” Charlie says when everyone is back at the table. “Let’s go anchor at the sand bar and swim for a bit. What do you guys think?”
“Yes!” Rachel agrees enthusiastically.
Robbie’s hand grips my hip to guide me reluctantly off his lap, and I immediately feel the absence of his touch when we part. Greedily, I put on my best doting-girlfriend act and grab his arm by the elbow, attaching myself securely to him as we walk through the sand back to the boat.
Pushing the looming thoughts of dinner with my parents out of my head, I decide to make the most out of today, soaking up as much of the sunshine and these stolen moments with Robbie while I can.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19 (Reading here)
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46