Page 46 of Friends Don't

He looks up at the same time, and our gazes connect. He holds up a hand and slowly begins walking in the direction of the beach.

Collin drops his gear near the beach towels and charges into the water in a full sprint. He tackles Mack, and I laugh.

Turning my back to the water, I set down my bag, and I peel off my cover-up. When I get it over my head and look back at the bay, I come face-to-face with Mack. He’s dripping wet in a pair of teal board shorts that are slicked to his muscular legs. Droplets of water cling to the edges of his hair, turning its usual dark-brown color to midnight black. He looks like Holland but also, strangely, not at all like Holland. He’s staring at me in that intense way that is unique to Mack.

Ironically, it’s in this moment that I realize I’ve seen more of Mack’s bare chest than I have of Holland’s. I should feel like I’m getting the raw end of the deal, but I don’t. Mack has a very nice bare chest. That’s an objective fact. He’s not as muscular as Holland, but where Holland’s strength is earned through hours upon hours in the gym, I’d wager Mack earns his stripes—or his sinewy muscles—in his day job.

Or something. I don’t know. Not my business.

“Hi, Big.”

“Boo. You made it.”

I adjust the straps on my bathing suit—a black bikini with high-wasted bottoms and a halter top. We moved from Florida, where we lived in swimwear, so this is like a second skin for me. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that being in a suit makes me feel like I’m taking Gram’s nice-panties advice. I’m comfortable and confident.

“You know me. I follow the fun.”

Mack’s gaze follows my hand as I flatten the straps around my neck into place before he meets my eye. “Right.”

“Speaking of fun, I’ve been thinking about what you said last night.”

He tips his head enough that I know he’s listening. I’m trying to decide how to explain to him what I’ve been turning over all day today when Rose yells to me from the water.

“Poppy! Mack! Come on!”

“Be right there,” I call back before turning to Mack. “Are you staying out or going back in?”

“I could swim.”

“Good. Last one in is a giant turtle.” I toss him a grin over my shoulder and take off. He snorts behind me, which makes me smile bigger, but then I’m splashing into the cool, refreshing water of the cove.

Mack makes it to my side, and we wade out together toward Rose and the rest of the group. I chat about the wedding with Piper, and she asks how Rose and I are settling into town before she gets a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

“Alright, I challenge y’all to a game of chicken.”

“Chicken?” I look at Rose, and she shoots me a small grin.

“Yeah, didn’t they teach you to play down in Florida? I’ll go up on Ed’s shoulders, and you go up on Mack’s. Rose and Collin can be a team. Mia and Patrick. Inez hates playing, so she can referee.”

I glance at Inez who holds up her hands and nods.

“I’m going to go stoke the fire,” Lou says.

“Good. So here’s how it works.” Piper puts her hands on Ed’s shoulders, and he ducks under the water. Piper scoots her legs around his neck. When he stands, she’s on his shoulders. “We’ll see who can knock each other off first.”

“Fun! I’m in.” Rose nods at Collin, who ducks under her. Rose squeaks as he stands back up with her on his shoulders.

“You game, Boo?”

“Why not.” I step around to Mack’s back and boost myself up. He stands, and I feel steady as a rock up here.

“Alright. You guys ready?” Inez asks from below. “The two legit couples will go head-to-head”—she nods at Ed and Piper and Mia and Patrick—“and the two random couples will face off.” She points at Mack and me and Rose and Collin. “Winner of each chicken fight will spar in the final round.”

“Let’s do this.” Rose’s voice is tinged with the fire of competition.

Piper rubs her hands together, and Mia looks entirely intimidated.

“Take no prisoners, Boo.” Mack gives my legs a squeeze, and I grin.

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