Page 60 of Body Shot

“He said you two went paddleboarding last night.”

“Yes! That was so cool!”

Marco’s face softens and the corners of his mouth lift. “Yeah?”

“It was really beautiful. Serene. Until I fell in.” I make a face. “Luckily we were just leaving.”

“Luckily you were with the Lead Diver of SEAL Team One.”

I tip my head. “Beck?”

“You were with someone else last night?”

I shake my head, my cheeks warming. “No. I just . . . Beck hasn’t told me a lot about his SEAL days.”

Marco eyes me. “You want to hear?”

“I do!” Er, maybe I should tone down the interest I’m showing, and play things more casual. Beck has been pretty clear he’s not into relationships and I don’t want people getting the wrong idea about us. But the truth is, he fascinates me and I’m eager to know . . . well, everything about him.

“I’m your man. And Cade, here.” He slaps a hand on the shoulder of the guy passing behind him. “Cade, this is Hayden.”

Cade pauses, carrying a big tray of glasses. “Hi, Hayden. Oh, hey, you were here for the tequila tasting, weren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Where’s your friend?” Cade asks.

“The hot blonde,” Marco adds helpfully.

I laugh. “She’s doing a shoot in L.A. this weekend.”

“A shoot?”

“She’s a model.”

Marco closes his eyes. “Fuck. Of course she is. I knew she looked familiar. Where do I know her from?”

“She recently did a bunch of ads for Nadia Studio. And for Fashion Valley Mall.”

“Yeah! That’s it. Those were smokin’ hot.”

I smile. “They were.”

“You should bring her here again sometime.”

“Dude.” Cade nudges Marco. “That’s kinda rude when you’re talking to a pretty lady, drooling about her friend.”

Marco’s jaw drops and I laugh. “No!” Marco says, “She’s with Beck. Not me.”

“Ah.” Cade grins. “Sorry.”

“Also, I’m used to guys drooling over Carrie,” I add. “But I’ve known her since the days she had buck teeth and braces, and was embarrassed to wear a bathing suit because she was so skinny.”

“She looks good in a bathing suit now,” Marco says with heartfelt enthusiasm. “I mean, in pictures. Not that I’ve seen her in person. Although I wouldn’t mind.”

I laugh again. I can’t wait to tell Carrie about this conversation. And yeah, maybe bring her back here to meet these fun guys.

“So tell me more about Beck’s SEAL days.”

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