Page 45 of In It to Win It

“That’s for that hit the other night, asshole,” he says.

“Fuck,” I mutter, shaking my head. Good thing I actually like him.

The women around us are all hiding smiles behind their hands and exchanging amused glances. Glad we’re entertaining.

We’re close enough that I can walk to shore, so I tug my board along after me and trudge onto the sand.

Taylor and Everly are already there, grinning.

“Well youalmostmade it through the class without falling in the water,” Taylor says. “Guess I win the bet.”

“What bet?” I frown.

“I bet you you couldn’t make it through a class without falling in the water, remember?”

Oh right. “Ididmake it through class, though. If this asshole hadn’t dumped me, I’d still be dry. Besides, we never agreed on what we were betting.”

“You could buy us lunch,” Everly says. “Too bad you guys aren’t in any shape to join us.”

“I have dry clothes in my car.” I lift my chin. “But I’m not buying lunch, because technically I didn’t lose the bet.” That’s total bullshit; of course I’m going to pay for lunch.

No way am I missing out on lunch with Taylor. I have to figure out a way to get her alone at some point . . .

Inside the yoga studio, we can see another class going on through a glass door. Harrison and I change in the locker room and meet Taylor and Everly outside the entrance. The sky is clearing, with patches of blue showing, the air warming a little.

“How about Bandit’s?” Everly suggests, gesturing at the nearby restaurant.

“I was just there last weekend,” Taylor says. “But that’s fine—I love their shrimp.”

“Wait, maybe we should invite Arya to join us,” Harrison says.

I smack the back of his head. “I don’t think you impressed her.”

“She has another class anyway,” Taylor says, fighting a smile.

We walk over, palm trees swaying around us, and enter the casual restaurant. We get a table for four and I make sure Taylor’s sitting right across from me.

“She’s single, right?” Harrison asks after we order.

“Who?” I frown. “Oh, Arya.”

“I think she has a boyfriend,” Taylor replies apologetically.

“Damn.” Harrison pushes out his bottom lip and stirs his Coke with the straw. “Ah well.”

“Why were you guys such idiots during the class?” Everly asks.

“Idiots?” I frown. “Not me. It was him.” I point at Harrison.

He gives a guilty grimace, then changes the subject, looking at me. “What are you doing tonight?”

I’d made plans, but I can get out of them if I can just talk to Taylor and ask her out. “Not sure,” I hedge. “Some of the guys are going to Sharky’s to play pool and drink some brews.”

“Oh yeah? Who?”

“Abs, Copper, and Dutch.”

He nods.

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