Page 72 of Under Pressure

Sean grinned at her. “No sign but that’s a cute little wreath you have there.” He pointed to her eucalyptus wreath. “You might want to take it down before the storm hits.”

She grabbed it and tossed it on the floor.

His gaze landed on her and dragged down her frame.

He wore jeans, just like he had that afternoon at his mom’s b-day party, but now he wore a dark blue t-shirt that showed off his perfectly toned chest, and she suspected arms too, if only they weren’t covered by a bomber jacket. His hair was wet, and even from a few steps away, she could smell the saltwater in it. Major déjà vu hit, memories of long study sessions in the library,of naps in hammocks on the beach, and her in his arms. She swallowed the forming lump.

For the first time since all the people had started showing up, she became super aware of her outfit of short shorts and a baggy tee. Did he like her legs still? He’d always been a leg-man.

“Sean?” Jonah came up beside her, yanking her out of her inappropriate thoughts.

Sean’s gaze moved to Jonah with a reluctance that made her heart flutter.

Jonah put an arm around her shoulder and her heart returned to its natural rhythm. She fought the urge to shake it off and instead leaned against him.

Sean gave him a little salute.

“What are you doing here?” Jonah asked, all polite tones—but Blue knew better. He only ever used his super-polite voice when he was irritated. “Did you hear about Blue and me getting married tomorrow?”

If Sean was surprised, he didn’t show it. He smiled. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Jonah said.

Sean pointed to Blue. “Actually, I’m here to talk to Blue. If that’s all right with you?”

Jonah squeezed her shoulder. “Actually—”

Blue slouched out from under Jonah’s arm, then glared from Jonah to Sean. “I make my own decisions. I don’t need Jonah’s permission to talk to you.”

This time, Sean did show emotion—sheepishness. He stuck his hands in his pockets and ducked his head a little, but at the same time, she was certain she caught a little smile.

She pointed at Jonah next, who stared Sean down. His friends cheered at something from the living room—sounded like a football game—and when she turned to look. Miles jumpedup, spilling soda everywhere. “Jonah, you’re friends are making a mess in the living room.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Jonah said, kissing her on the head. “Good to see you again, Sean.” With that, Jonah left her.

Blue turned to Sean again, folding her arms over her chest. “What’s up?”

“Uh—” Sean started when another yell came from the living room.

Jonah, Miles, and Levi were all from Sydney. They’d been in the States for a while, but not so long that she understood how it was they’d come to love football. She’d always assumed that it was mostly an American sport. But when football season came around, she’d always found them watching a game.

She slipped into her flip-flops which she always left by the door, and pushed Sean, hands on his firm pecs, out onto the stair’s landing. She ripped her hands away. Behind him, in the parking lot, was Jonah’s large, yellow, speedboat—taking up three parking spaces in the already crammed area behind the Pier Shops—dripping residual water on the ground. A car was trying to maneuver around it where the tail end of the boat stuck out in the one-lane road. She almost face-palmed. Almost.

“Everything all right?” Sean asked, following her gaze.

“Fine, fine.” She forced a smile.

He chuckled. “You were always a terrible liar.”

Her hackles raised, and she folded her arms in front of her. A gust of wind whipped past her arms, and she leaned into it, tightening her grip on her arms like she was cold. She wasn’t. There he went again, acting like he still knew her all these years later. She wasn’t sure what was bothering her most. That he was doing it, or that he was right.

Sean’s smile slipped. “You and Jonah are getting married tomorrow?”

“Y-yeah,” she stumbled over the word. “It was sort of a last-minute thing.”

“I saw your dress in there.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I remember when you made it.”

She swallowed hard. “That was a long time ago.”

---