Page 47

When I got to the end of the steps, I slipped off my shoes and took a moment to sink my toes into the sand, while taking in a deep lungful of sea air. Life really was about the simple things. Lifting my head, I peered about, searching for a set of broad shoulders and a head of dark blond hair.

There were a few people on the beach, some walking their dogs, others sitting and enjoying the sun. Then I saw him. Tristan was emerging from the water in one of those skintight wet suits, the kind with no sleeves and legs that reached just above the knee. I honestly couldn’t tell if my timing was impeccable or atrocious because seeing Tristan in all his fit, muscular, skintight glory, hair wet and flopping forward over his forehead, while droplets of water covered all of his exposed, sun kissed skin, was truly something. I was having a serious dilemma on whether to look away or let my gaze devour him.

It wasn’t right for someone to be this physically handsome while also being wealthy and successful on top of it all.

He bent to grab a towel from a bag he’d left on the sand, drying off his hair and some of his body before he draped it around his shoulders. I could tell he was still in his own world and hadn’t noticed me standing there ogling him yet.

Honestly, my brain was so fried I couldn’t even drum up a few words.

“Rinnie?” he said when he finally became aware of my presence.

“H-hi,” I managed. “Sorry to interrupt your swim.” I immediately berated myself because I hadn’t interrupted him. He was already out of the water and drying off.

“You didn’t.” His expression was warm as his eyes skated over my face, lowering down my body. I wore a white blouse and a pale grey skirt that came to my upper calves, and my hair was down. When he reached the shoes clutched in my hand and my bare feet, a smile shaped his lips. “What can I do for you?”

Why did the way he asked the question affect me so much? Seriously, my throat had gone dry while goosebumps pimpled on my arms. Needing a distraction, I pulled out my phone.

“So, um, everything’s almost ready for bingo tomorrow. I just needed to get a couple facts about you to add to the sheet. Just whatever you feel comfortable sharing, nothing too personal, of course.”

He lifted a hand to push some of his wet hair away from his face. “Ah, well, let’s see. I guess you could put down sea swimming as being a hobby of mine.”

“Right, I should’ve thought of that,” I said with an awkward chuckle as I quickly opened up a new note on my phone and typed it down before glancing back to him. “Anything else?”

He tilted his head, hands gripping the ends of the towel draped around his shoulders as he stepped forward. “What did you put down?”

Something about the way he was looking at me had my pulse thrumming and my face growing hot. Did he always look at everyone with such pinpoint focus, like he was cataloguing every individual feature?

“Actually, I’m not taking part. Me and Katy have compiled everyone’s traits, so we already know the answers. It wouldn’t be fair.”

Tristan’s lips formed a little pout. “That’s disappointing, I was looking forward to learning more about you.”

He was? Nerves fizzled in my stomach. “Well, sorry about that. Now, if you could just—”

“What would you put down if you were taking part?”

“Me?”

His pout turned into a gentle smile. “Yes, you, Rinnie. What facts should I know about you?”

I suddenly felt put on the spot, and a little panicky since I didn’t want to tell him anything about me that might jog his memory. I swallowed thickly and replied, “Well, I have a cat. Her name is Rua.”

His smile deepened, revealing a dimple in his left cheek. “Cute. What else?”

“I live near the beach.”

“Nice. Anywhere close by?”

I shook my head. “My place is a good bit farther up the strand.”

“Any husband or boyfriend?” he went on, and the question paired with his keen focus had my face growing hotter. I shook my head again, and something about my response seemed to both please and pain him at the same time.

He moved on quickly. “Hobbies?”

“I like to travel. I try to go somewhere new each year during my time off.”

“Oh? Where’d you go this year?”

“Italy. Lake Garda.”