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Misty sashayed away to grab my beer, the cool air from inside the bar spilling over me from the open door. I sat back and closed my eyes, the sounds of Main Street humming in the background. I loved the summer.
“How’s it going? I feel like I never see you anymore,” Willow said, squeezing my shoulder.
“Our schedules are opposite, that’s for sure. But I’m off for the Fourth, no lessons, and it’s a long weekend. So we can hang at the festival.”
Willow frowned. “I’m working the Fourth, but we do have shortened store hours. I can meet you at the park when I get off, then we can head to the beach for the fireworks.”
“Perfect.”
Misty set my beer down on the table, then popped over to the next table to take another order.
“Cheers,” I said, clinking my bottle with Willow’s before taking a long sip. “Oh!” I sputtered on the golden ale, trying hard not to choke.
“Lana, you okay?” Willow smacked me hard on the back as I wiped tears from my eyes.
“Yeah. Just, don’t look to your right.”
Of course, Willow’s head spun so fast and hard to the right she created wind speed.
“Willow! I told you not to look,” I cried, slumping down a little in my seat.
“Why? What gives? I’ve never known you to avoid good-looking guys.”
The particular good-looking guy in question had spotted us, thanks to Willow’s flying ponytail and my choking fit, and was walking in our direction.
“Play it cool—I know him. He’s the dad of one of my swimmers,” I murmured, my heart hammering hard in my chest.
“Ah, I see. So you have a crush on him, but he’s married?” she whispered loudly. I knocked her elbow, sending it skidding across the table.
“No, not married,” I said in a low voice. “I’ll fill you in later.” I fixed my face, putting on a big smile. “Hey, Grant.”
“Hi,” he said, his voice deep and smooth, like aged bourbon. He smiled, showing off perfectly straight teeth, and my breath caught in my throat. His eyes flitted from my face down to my tank top, then back up again, and heat flooded my body. And those eyes. Bright crystal blue, like the ocean on a clear day. He was still in his work clothes, although he’d rolled up his shirtsleeves, showing off strong, tan forearms. I wondered what he’d look like in casual clothes…or less.
Lana! Get it together. Stop leering and say something.
“This is my friend, Willow. Willow, Grant.”
Grant nodded at her politely, yet somehow kept his eyes on me, sending sharp electric pulses racing down my body. I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the jitters in my stomach.
“Want to join us?” I motioned to my left, then grabbed another chair and pulled it up to the table.
“Uh.” He glanced at his watch. “I could grab a quick drink, I guess. Taylor’s with Hudson. I had to run back to the office to grab a file.” He tapped the manila folder in his hand.
“Great.” I waved Misty over and she took his order, then it was just the three of us and a looming silence at the table.
“Lana’s your kid’s swim teacher then, huh?” Willow asked, resting her chin on her hand.
Grant nodded. “She is. He loves the lessons, by the way.” Grant met my eyes and held my gaze as my cheeks flushed.
“I’m glad to hear it. He’s a sweet kid. Really good at the backstroke, too.”
He chuckled. “Gets that from me. I swam in college.”
“Nice,” I nodded, picturing him racing in the pool.I’ll bet he has great abs…
“I’m not much of a swimmer myself,” Willow said, winding her ponytail in her fingers, making moony eyes at Grant.
“It’s a great sport,” he said, tipping his beer back and taking a drink.
