Page 193 of Banter & Blushes

“Deal. But only if you promise not to fall into a crack or twist your ankle.”

“No promises,” she says, already kicking off her sandals. “You’re supposed to be my vacation buddy. If I go down, you’re going with me.”

I smile, trying to ignore the part of me that wishes thiswasa honeymoon.

“You should know by now I’d go almost anywhere with you,” I whisper as she disappears into the bathroom, the door clicking softly behind her.

If only she knew how far I’ve already fallen.

CHAPTER 5

BRIELLA

“This is ridiculous,” I murmur as I sink into the poolside lounger, the soft fabric hugging my sun-warmed skin. “Like, next-level, are-we-in-a-movie ridiculous.”

Reid hands me a frozen drink with a tiny umbrella sticking out the top. Beads of condensation slide down the side, and it smells like coconut and pineapple heaven.

“Say that again after your second non-alcoholic Coconut Kiss,” he says.

I raise an eyebrow. “You just made that name up.”

“Nope. It’s on the menu. Right below ‘Lei’d Back Lemonade’ and ‘Lava Colada.’”

I snort into my drink. “We’re definitely in a honeymoon resort.”

We stretch out side by side in the loungers, the pool shimmering in front of us. A server walks by with a tray of drinks that look like melted sunsets.

“I wonder what that one’s called,” I say aloud.

“Probably something like ‘Aloha Sunset,’” Reid jokes.

He reaches into the beach bag at the same time I do. Our hands brush as we both grab for the sunscreen.

“Sorry,” I say quickly, pulling my hand back like I just touched fire. Which, honestly, is kind of accurate. Every time we touch, my skin burns with awareness.

He chuckles and hands me the bottle. “You first, Mrs. Bennett.”

I freeze mid-reach, then glance at him. “Seriously?”

He shrugs, like it’s nothing. But his voice is lower than usual when he adds, “Just going with the flow.”

My stomach does a slow, traitorous flip.

“Right,” I say, uncapping the bottle, focusing way too hard on squeezing out a reasonable amount. “We are at a honeymoon resort.”

Reid leans back in his chair, throwing an arm behind his head, sunglasses shielding his eyes. But I can still feel him watching me—like he’s gauging my reaction, like he’s waiting for something.

Why would he care unless . . .

No. No way he feels the same.Right?

The space between us hums with awareness—heavy and quiet, filled with questions neither of us is brave enough to ask.

“I’m really glad you invited me,” I say finally, reaching for normal again.

His sunglasses tip down just enough for me to see his eyes. “There’s no one else I’d rather be here with.”

Cue fluttery heart. Cue internal chaos.

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