Page 67 of Switching Skates

“I know,” I murmur, pulling into the driveway of the house. “But I just got home. Is it okay if I call you later?”

“Of course. Have fun. Be safe.” She goes through our usual hang-up routine. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Mom.” I end the call with a smile.

At least Mason’s truck isn’t here right now so I can avoid him for a little while longer until he and his team start showing up.

Holy mother of God, who let that man come back here without a shirt? Oh shit, this is going to be so bad.

Somehow, the team dinner turned into a team lake party, and after dinner, all of the guys are now in swim trunks, fighting over the paddleboat, kayaks, and trying to make the biggest cannonball off of the dock. I swear I’ve never seen so many abs in one place.

Mason, who I successfully avoided all dinner, had to run to his place to let Chet in, who had apparently forgotten his house key somewhere, making Mason show up later than the rest, and thank God for that. It’s giving me more time to prepare to see him again.

But I certainly wasn’t ready for him to show up in slutty, short little swim trunks with every ridge and muscle of his body on full display. I mean, the thighs … are you kidding me?

Maeve giggles next to me, and I turn to find her staring at me with a cunning smile and sparkling eyes.

“Do you need a napkin for your drool?”

I shove her shoulder and tear my gaze from the window. “Fuck off.”

She bursts out laughing. “Why are you both so intent on pretending you’re not meant to be together?”

“Maeve,” I exhale. “What happened toI don’t need himandI deserve better?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. I’ve never seen him like this. I mean, the way helooksat you, Daph.” She swoons. “It’s straight out of any movie on our list. That has to account for something.”

The front door swings open, and Mason walks through, interrupting our conversation. Silence falls on the room. My stomach flips as his eyes lock with mine, devouring me whole.

Maeve pats my arm and giggles. “Good luck with that.”

“I hate you,” I murmur and mean-mug her before she walks away.

“Hi, Mason,” she greets him as he walks into the kitchen, where I’m cutting up a watermelon.

They have a quiet conversation that I can’t hear over the music playing on the dual speakers—one in the house and one out back.

Maeve saunters toward the back door and runs outside, straight into Jackson’s arms. Apparently, everyone in my life is falling in love and finding their special someone, even my mom.

Am I the dumb main character who doesn’t realize the love she’s spent her entire life looking for has been right here all along?Nope, not me.

Mason closes the distance between us, stopping at my side and leaning his back against the counter, with his annoyingly large and strong arms crossed over his chest.

He turns his head and looks down at me, doing little to hide it.

“Can I help you with that staring problem?” I ask snarkily.

He grins and bites down on his lip. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”

I glare up at him through the side of my eye. Then I look back down at the melon, cutting the other half up into pieces and putting them in the big bowl before turning back to him.

Don’t flirt back. Don’t flirt back.

“Excuse me.”

I bump his hip with mine, and his fingers reach for my side. He’s blocking the sink I need, and he knows it. His thumb strokes the exposed skin above my waistband, and fireworks ignite in my stomach.

Oh God, that tiny touch shouldn’t make me feel likethat.