Page 40 of Lakesides and Longing

Jessica laid out her towel next to Paige and nudged her with her shoulder. “So. Spill. What’s going on with you and Blake.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“Oh, come on. He won’t look at you, and you won’t look at him. Something happened.”

Paige hadn’t realized she’d been so obvious. “It’s nothing more than usual. He knows how I feel about him, and he feels the same, but he won’t do anything because of Lukas. I’m getting a little irritated actually.”

Jessica nodded. “I see. You know, I was there when Debbie broke his heart.”

“In Japan?”

“No. In Prague. Where he was going to propose. She crushed him. I really hope you’re in this for the long run. I don’t want to see him hurt again.”

“Got it. If Blake proposes, the answer is yes.” She grinned to show she was joking just a little, but at this point, she might just say yes if he did propose.

Jessica chuckled. “I knew there was a reason I liked you. I think you will become one of us after all.”

CHAPTER30

Blake sat on the opposite side of the table from Paige, who somehow managed to get stuck between Grayson and Seth. She wore only her bikini top and a sarong wrapped around her waist, and Seth’s wandering eyes bugged the hell out of Blake. Anna was on the other side of Seth and he wasn’t staring at her breasts.

He kicked his leg out and got Seth right in the shin.

Seth jerked his head around. “Ow, dude, I didn’t think you were Lukas.”

“I’m not,” Blake growled. “But I am her bodyguard this summer, and that includes keeping creeps like you away from her.” Seth wasn’t really a creep, but he did like his women.

Paige leaned into Seth, putting a hand on his arm. “I’m free to date whoever I want, and I can be the judge of what’s creepy or not.”

“He was staring at your boobs.” Blake shouldn’t have said anything, but he couldn’t help himself.

She puffed her chest out. “I can’t really blame him. They are nice looking, aren’t they?” Blake nearly choked on his beer.

Seth snorted. “I don’t know what you two have going on, but I’m not getting between that.” He gently pushed Paige’s hand off his arm. “No offense, but I only go for single girls.”

“I’m single,” Paige protested, giving Blake a glare. He knew what she was doing and he wasn’t going to take the bait.

“Nope. You’re not. I’m not an idiot. You two are sleeping together. I don’t care what you tell Lukas.” He grinned at both of them and put some distance between himself and Paige.

Anna raised her eyebrows at Blake. “Told you it was obvious.”

“We’re not sleeping together,” Paige said. Which was a lie…sort of. But Blake wasn’t about to correct her.

“Why not?” Seth asked.

Both Blake and Paige flicked their eyes toward Lukas, who sat on the opposite end of the table.

Seth snorted. “Dude, grow a pair and just tell him.”

“It’s not that simple,” Blake said. He shoved his hands into his pockets and glowered at the ground. “What if I break her heart and then he never speaks to me again.”

“Hello, I’m right here.” Paige waved a hand. “I don’t need you two Neanderthals determining my fate. But Blake, he’s right. I’m tired of not getting what I want because you are scared of Lukas. I’d rather have you break my heart than always wonder what could’ve been.”

“I like this girl, Blake. We should keep her around.” Seth grinned.

Paige nodded politely. “Thank you, Seth. If Blake doesn’t get his act together, maybe I’ll be going home with you instead.”

She smirked at Blake, and he held back his retort. She’d gotten to him, but he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of knowing it.

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