Page 84 of Body Shot

The slight frown reappears. Apparently I’m not saying the right things today. Time to change the subject! “I love how they got the name of that cave,” I say, and the conversation turns back to our experience earlier that afternoon as the sun lowers in the sky over the ocean.

I ask Carrie to come to the tequila tasting with me that night, and it doesn’t require much convincing. Carrie’s eager to hear about my earlier adventure at the cave. As we enter the bar, I can’t help reflecting back in time.

“Remember that first night we came here?” I say as we walk in. “Wow, we had no idea what was going to happen.”

“No idea you were going to end up getting nailed in the back office.”

I choke on a laugh.

“And that you’d end up with a hot boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“What is he, then?”

“I don’t know.” I make a face and we stroll toward the bar, where Marco is again checking in guests. “Um, lover?”

“Okay. I guess I can accept that.”

“Hello, ladies.” Marco flashes his sexy grin at us. Well, it’s sexy, but it doesn’t turn my knees to jelly like Beck’s smile does. But no matter, because Marco is giving Carrie all his attention. “Carrie Garner, right?”

“Right.” She lifts one brow.

“Glad you could join us again.”

“And me, right, Marco?” I speak up, tongue in cheek.

He barely glances at me. “Of course. Where would you ladies like to sit? How about right here at the end of the bar?”

“I think I’d like to sit more in the middle,” Carrie says, turning her back on him.

I blink and follow my friend toward a couple of empty barstools farther away. We climb up and I look around for Beck. I don’t see him anywhere, but he has to be here.

We’re served chips and salsa again. I stare at the red salsa and flavorless chips. “Ugh.”

“What’s wrong?”

“This food is awful compared to what we had earlier.” I tell Carrie about our early dinner and my discussion with Beck about the food. “I think I pissed him off by insulting Conquistadors’ food.”

“Oops.” Carrie takes a chip and crunches it. “Eh. It’s okay, I guess.”

“You can buy those at the grocery store. Same with the salsa. They need to serve better stuff. But I guess that’s none of my business.” I’ve been thinking about how Beck closed down after that. Or maybe “closed down” isn’t correct—he’d been flirty and fun, which is great. But even though he’s trying to make my life more fun, life isn’t all flirty games, and sometimes it’s good to have someone to share your worries with.

Except that isn’t what our relationship is about. It’s about fun. It’s about sex and keeping things light, and anytime things get serious, Beck makes a joke or throws off cocky, carefree attitude.

Do I want more than that? I was so determined I have no room in my life for a relationship. So why am I even thinking about it? I give my head a shake and pick up a bland chip to dunk it in insipid salsa.

Beck emerges from the kitchen carrying a big tray of glasses. He spots me immediately and his smile makes my toes curl in my flip-flops. He sets the tray down and heads toward us.

“Hey, gorgeous.” He leans way over the bar, pushing up on his hands, and smooches my lips. “You’re here.” Then he turns to Carrie with a smile. “Hi, Carrie. Good to see you again.”

“You too.” Her lips curve, her eyes alert. “I’ve been hearing so much about you.”

“Oh yeah?” His gaze flicks to me. “How charming and irresistible I am?”

“Basically, yeah.”

“Gah, don’t tell him that!” I give Carrie’s arm a light slap. “His ego is as big as Jupiter.”

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