Page 15 of Overachiever

We only have a few minutes until quitting time, and I’m happy to spend it talking to him. Evan’s one of the only reasons I don’t completely dread the work days. He’s been nice despite my nonexistent skills, and lately he’s been flirting with me. He has a rough look that’s sexy. Tall and leanly muscled with tanned skin.

“Here, hold this, will you?” he says, stepping up onto a ladder to install a recessed light.

His ass is just tooright therefor me not to admire. It’s nice, especially for a thinner guy. Round and grabbable. I haven’t been too interested in sex the last year or so, but something has gotten into me this summer. Maybe it’s Serena and her advice that’s reawakened the urge. A rough clearing of a throat brings me back to a reality I’d rather not be in right now. Considering I was just standing here ogling the guy’s ass.

“Sorry, what did you say?” I mumble, my face flaming up.

His knowing smile just makes things worse. “The screws?” he repeats, and I hand them to him. “Are you going to The Sand Spot tonight?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve never heard of it.”

“It’s a beachside bar. The whole crew is getting together there tonight for some drinks.” He grins down at me. “You should come.”

Yeah, I should definitely come, and I’ll bet he could get me there. He isn’t exactly asking me out, just informing me of a group gathering where everyone’s invited, but I know I’m not misinterpreting those looks.

Be cool and casual, Remee. “Sounds good.”

“Great.”

“Remee! Come on! It’s quitting time!” Owen bounds in like a hyper puppy.

Evan holds his hand out for the last screw, and I hand it over. “See you tonight,” he says, his gaze on Owen instead of me. As we walk away, he lets us get to the door before calling out to Owen.

Owen hands me his truck keys. “I’ll catch up with you.”

By the time Owen joins me in the truck, I have the engine running, and the air feels amazing. “What did he want? Did you screw something up?” I tease.

“Nah, he just asked if I was coming to the bar tonight. You know we’re going, right?”

“We are, huh? Thanks for letting me know.”

He pulls out into the flow of traffic. “I know you don’t like bars and crowds but—”

“Save your speech. I’m just screwing with you. I’ll go.”

We grab some dinner from a fast food drive-thru on the way back, then take turns showering and getting ready for a night out. While I’m waiting, I text Serena a picture I took of Evan earlier when he wasn’t paying attention.

Me: What do you think?

Serena: JUMP ON HIM.

I’d talked to her about Evan yesterday, and she insisted I sneak a picture to send her.

Me: I’ll see him at the bar tonight so maybe. How’s everyone there?

Serena: Same as usual. Boring. I’m trying to get them to drive down to visit you.

Me: Really!?

Serena: Yes! I’ll let you know. Zara’s trying to get time off work.

I’d love to have them here. Everything would be a lot more fun.

“Are you ready?” Owen asks, pulling my attention away from my phone. His hair is only half dry and flops over his forehead. New muscles seem to pop up every day from the work he’s doing, and the white shirt he’s wearing makes his bronzed skin stand out.

There’s another reason I need to hook up with someone. Ever since that dream, my gaze lands on him way too often, and I can’t seem to look at him the same. You’d think it would’ve had the opposite effect considering how strange it was, but what stuck with me was his naked body under mine, his hands on me.

Good thing I hide it well.