Page 16 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

“See you then,” she mumbled, not sure he’d hear it.

Christian removed his arm in time to open the door for her. Once they stepped outside, he didn’t move it back in place.

During the short ride back to the bungalows, the salty air a perfectly warm temperature, Carly mused back on the events of her long day. Gage, Jimmy, and Christian seemed to be vying for her attention all at once. Or perhaps it was just in her head. Either way, it was unsettling; she wasn’t surewhoshe wanted vying for her attention anymore.

Still, Carly was surprised to find that a part of her liked it too. At least a little. One thing was certain after her first workday of the season at The Royal Palm: this summer was sure to be an adventure. And this year, for the first time in a long time, she welcomed the idea.

CHAPTER 6

“That will be eight dollars even,” said the gal behind the counter with a grin. “You must really like these.”

Gage looked down at the gold foil-wrapped protein bar. “It’s for a friend,” he said, but it sounded like a lie. “And the one I bought yesterday was too.”

The young brunette lifted a brow. “For Christian?”

“No,” he said. “I mean, Christianismy friend, but he’s not who I’m buying them for.”

The cashier, whose name was Tiffany according to her nametag, gave him a nod and handed over his receipt. “Gotcha. Have a great day. It’s beautiful out there.”

“Thank you,” he said while taking it from her. As professional as Tiffany was, like all the other staff he’d encountered at the Royal Palm, it was plain to see she was interested in him. The way she held his gaze before responding, as if willing Gage to see past her professional shell and ask her out.

If he hadn’t decided to swear off women for a while, Gage would be tempted to do just that. But if he were being honest, another woman at the pristine resort had already caught his attention. To the point he was starting to second-guess his father’s advice. It wasn’t like Dad would have to know.

Gage pried open the door, felt the pull of conditioned air rush to the open space, and sucked in the fresh, salty breeze while stepping into the shaded cement. A vision of Christian and Carly standing side-by-side shot to his mind. Gage barely even knew Carly. His interactions with her up to that point had consisted of an awkward introduction that set the woman into a rage and a surf lesson that had served Gage a large slice of humble pie, hand delivered by the sassy instructor herself.

Still, if jealousy did what it was known for, Gage’s sunburned shoulders would have gone from sunburn red to envy green at the sight of them together. It probably had more to do with the competitive nature between him and his old friend. But the odd stirring in his belly at the recollection of her touch said otherwise. He’d liked it way too much. The truth was, he’d been half-tempted to snatch a bag of sunflower seeds for her today instead of the protein bar. Two things stopped him from doing just that: The first being that he didn’t want to come across as creepy for taking note of what she’d bought last night. The second was that she had, in fact, just purchased her own bag hours prior. How fast could she go through a bag that size, anyway?

Gage squinted as he scanned the beach, fighting an onslaught of jitters. A large part of him was already distracted by the thought of seeing Carly again. The other part of him was stuck worrying that the one role wouldn’t be enough to appease his father. He could just hear it now:“Why quit while you’re ahead? Why let down all your new fans? Why not ride the wave?”

The answer to that was simple: Gage had never wanted an actor’s life. Wasn’t willing to get caught up in the web of keeping critics and fans happy. Of living life under the microscope of that Hollywood lens. Beau might handle his own popularity in the NFL well enough, with the clashing of praise for one game and criticism over the next, but Gage planned to go back to wherehistrue passion lay—with blueprints, floor plans, and architectural design.

Just as that thought settled in his mind, Gage caught sight of Carly. She was wearing a light pink swim top today which, even from a distance, looked very good against her tan skin. She was the perfect picture of beautiful, her hair blowing in the breeze, the ocean landscape at her back. Too badshewasn’t playing the female role in the film. He’d have an excuse to kiss her again and again. Heat roared low in his belly at the thought.

The only thing that didn’t belong in the sight before Gage was the group of teens heading her way—the spoiled rich kids from yesterday.Like you can talk, Gage.He shook his head. He’d pretty much gotten whatever material thing he’d desired growing up. But that wasn’t the same as having a parent’s affection.

Luckily, Carly’s conversation with the group was short-lived. The teens were hollering their goodbyes as Gage neared the shack. She’d been watching them head off toward the beach, but as he coughed once in his throat, letting her know he was there, Carly spun around.

Whoa. Please tell me you’re not dating anyone.

His insides misbehaved on a million levels. Pulse pounding. Breath catching. Thoughts tangling. Yeah, forget Dad’sno dating right nowrule. Not going to happen if he could help it. “Hi.”

Her blue eyes held his, and a new draft of heat smacked him in the face. There was something going on behind those eyes. A Mona Lisa appeal if he’d ever seen one. It was a look that seemed to acknowledge that she’d been thinking about him. And that she knew he’d been thinking about her.

“You ready for round two?” Her question sounded nonchalant. He hoped it was a façade. She had to be feeling what he was. Which was what, exactly? Some premature super-crush?

“I sure am,” he said.

“Well then…” Carly handed over his board and motioned toward the water. “Let’s get out there.”

So they were starting on the waves today. Good thing. Gage needed a distraction. Keeping up with those waves, which looked much bigger than they’d been the day before, was sure to help.

Carly’s legs dangled at either side of her board as she floated over the dwindling swells. Up, over, down. Up, over, down. Just a few feet away, Gage did the same. Rising when she dropped, and dropping as she rose, the two catching glimpses of one another over the waves at just the right time.

Glimpses that made her remember what it was like to be back in junior high school. Before she met Jimmy. The truth was, she could barely recall what it felt like to have a youthful, almost carefree crush. It felt amazing. Like life was filled with potential and hope she’d nearly forgotten. She didn’t know what it meant. Didn’t want to even think about that yet. She only wanted to dwell in the delicious flirtation happening each time their eyes met.

The waves were quieting now, enough that she heard him chuckle low in his throat.

“What?” she asked as he paddled closer to her.