Page 22 of Twisted Beauty

Liv forced herself to reach up and shake Nate’s hand. Instead, he placed an open bottle of Dos Equis in her grip.

“You look like you need this more than I do,” he said. “Katie might’ve warned you to drink loads of water.”

Liv let out a little burst of surprised laughter. Did he think she was reaching for his beer?

“Hey!” Katie placed her hands on her hips in defiance. “Not my fault. It wasn’t supposed to be this hot today.” In typical Katie fashion, she had an excuse for everything.

The beer in Liv’s hand was mostly full, and her mouth watered as if she were holding a chocolate malt. She made a supreme effort to stop herself from licking the cold dew drops that clung to the bottle.

Suddenly overwhelmed with thirst, she didn’t care that she didn’t know Nate, or that he might have Dengue or Zika or whatever disease happened to be afflicting travelers in Mexico this year. She took a long, slow sip of his beer and closed her eyes as the cold liquid slid down her throat. She might have even moaned.

When she opened her eyes, Nate was staring at her mouth.

Liv lifted the bottle from her lips. “Thank you. We actually did buy water. I guess it wasn’t enough.”

“That was over an hour ago.” Katie shrugged, looking a little guilty. “Guess we should have stopped for a drink sooner, huh?”

“Your timing is perfect,” Nate said without taking his eyes off Liv.

Sure. Stellar timing.

Because it wasn’t odd at all that they were here. Two handsome men who were friends of Zach's and just happened to be waiting around in the bar at the exact time Katie dragged Liv in for a drink.

She should have realized sooner that Katie was up to no good. She’d practically jogged to the restaurant despite the heat, and refused to let Liv slow down or stop anywhere between the church and the bar. Probably afraid they’d be late.

Liv offered Nate his beer back, but he put a hand up in protest. “Keep it. We’ll order more.”

“Thanks.” She noticed his eyes were hazel, reflecting both the blues in the ocean and the tans in the sand at the same time. She had to admit, Katie had good taste in men. This one had a swimmer’s build—lean, muscular, and athletic. He could easily have been one of those underwear models plastered on a billboard at home.

Nate’s shoulders weren’t nearly as wide as Matt’s though, and his jaw wasn’t quite as strong. And he wasn’t oozing testosterone in the same infuriating way.

Crap. Why was she comparing him to Matt? That guy was a royal jackass.

And speaking of jackasses—she closed her eyes and banished the image of Grant and Jillian from her thoughts as quickly as it appeared.

She took another long gulp of Nate’s drink. “This may be the best beer I’ve ever tasted.”

Nate flashed her a smile, and she noticed a couple of women at another table eyeing him and whispering. She could see why. He was handsome, clean-shaven, and had a full head of tow-blond hair. Quite the catch.

She had to wonder if Katie was planning to introduce her to a new man every few days. Probably. At least until she picked one and had some reckless rebound fling. Which was so not happening.

“You guys should join us.” Katie started dragging a chair over from their table before either of them had a chance to respond.

Garrett grabbed another chair and carried it over while Nate gestured for a waiter. Katie sat down, making sure to leave a space for Nate beside Liv. Smooth, and not at all obvious.

A short, stocky man approached them with a note pad in his hand. His t-shirt read Burros Bar & Restaurant above the sketch of a bull that stretched a little too tightly across his belly. “Sí, señor,” he said to Nate. “What can I get you?”

“She’s stolen my beer.” Nate gestured with his head toward Liv. “So I suppose I’ll need a new Dos Equis.”

Liv pressed her lips together to stop herself from commenting. She didn’t want to flirt. It would just encourage Katie.

The waiter smiled at Liv. “Quiere uno frío. He wants cold beer so he give you warm one.”

She laughed. The people she’d met so far in Mexico were all so good natured. They seemed happy and friendly, despite how hard they worked every day. And despite this crazy humidity.

“Right then.” Nate shook his head but smiled at the waiter. He ordered waters for both Liv and Katie, apparently on a mission to keep them hydrated, and then glanced around the table. “Shall we make that four beers?”

Garrett nodded his approval. “And an order of guacamole to share.”