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Not hurt because I’m flirting with her dad.
“Rylan.” Dominance bleeds from this one word Marcus spits out. A hidden message telling her to back off.
Why?
I raise my head, peeking at Marcus. His jaw is set in a firm line, his eyes trained on my friend. His stance is formidable, that of a man bracing himself for a fight.
That’s weird.
Too weird.
Almost like I’ve landed in the wrong house.
“You get your favorite daughter anything special from the store?” Rylan sidles up beside him. She wraps her arms around him in a side hug, soaking him with pool water. “Maybe those Poison Ivy red and green cupcakes from the bakery I love downtown?”
If possible, Marcus’s body tenses even more.
I’m to blame for this. I let my inhibitions fly out the proverbial window. Flirted with my best friend’s dad.
Her father.
This is my fault. I’ve made everyone uncomfortable.
Me.
“Sorry, sweetheart.” Marcus’s gaze remains straight up ahead, neither looking at me or Rylan. “I didn’t go to the bakery today.”
“Are you okay?” She gazes up at him, her bottom lip pouting. “You’re a little pale, Dad. I’ll run to grab you some water.”
“I’ll grab it myself.” His frigid stance melts quickly, reminding me of Rylan’s swift mood changes over the last two days. He pats her shoulder, taking a step back and jerking his chin toward the water. “Go on, I interrupted your swim practice.”
“I’ll finish later.” Rylan’s lips remain in the fixed, wide smile. “You two are more important.” Rylan acknowledges me for the first time since she’s gotten out of the pool. “After all, Leigh, you were dehydrated yesterday. We can’t have that happening again.”
There’s not a hint of anger in her voice or her eyes. Nothing to indicate she’s upset. Rylan has no idea we were seconds from ripping each other’s clothes off. None at all.
“You’re right, I—” I start.
“It’s settled, then,” Marcus cuts me off. “Rylan, you’ll get the three of us cold water. Leighton will help me carry the groceries in from the garage.”
A chance to be alone with him, even for a moment. That’s good. That’s all I’ll need. I’ll apologize and tell him I’ll never do it again. We’ll clear up this huge mess and return inside as if nothing happened.
“Cool. Let me just pull on my dress.” I spin to the lounge chair where I left it.
“The groceries are in the garage?” I hear Rylan’s inquisitive tone behind me. “In this heat?”
“I don’t know where my head was,” Marcus agrees. “I should cool off a little. Why don’t you run up to grab me my swim trunks from my room while I set up the groceries in the kitchen? I’ll change in the guest bathroom, drink, and join you.”
“Of course, Dad. I’ll fix you and Leigh something better than water. My special iced tea.”
I tune out the rest of their conversation. While I give them their privacy, I pretend to fumble with my dress.
What I’m actually doing is staring at the exquisite flower gardens behind the pool in their backyard. Focusing on anything but the mortification from flirting with Marcus. From having to end it before it even started.
Petunias, lupines, lilacs, and verbenas are scattered across the grass, wild and gorgeous. Rylan planted them almost a decade ago, and I’ve been helping her garden them since.
When we went off to college, Marcus took care of them. He’s done a great job. They bloom beautifully. I soak up the colors, how the petals open up to the sun.
His dedication to Rylan’s flowers has me appreciating Marcus even more. Despite his busy schedule, he hasn’t neglected the garden.
