Page 58 of Enemies Don't

He and Mack walk out of the waves and stride toward us.

Collin’s board shorts hit him mid-thigh, and right now, they’re slicked to his leg muscles.

Hubba hubba, husband material.

Thatis the ridiculous thought that runs through my head.

I blink, trying to erase the memory of even thinking it.

I am not going to be one in a long line of girls who swoons at Collin’s feet—even if he is my pretend boyfriend.

“Incoming,” Poppy says as Mack takes off in a jog toward her. She squeals. “Mack Bradley. Don’t you dare.”

“Don’t act like you don’t love this,” Mack says in his trademark low, slow drawl before he scoops Poppy into his arms, cradle-carrying her back toward the water and trailing a line of kisses along her collar bone.

“Gross. She’s my sister, Mack. Let’s keep it PG, shall we?” Rose stands and stretches. “I’m going for a walk.”

“Don’t go too far.” I cast a look in my middle sister’s direction. She’s been quiet today. I’m about to ask her how she feels about being back here, but she cuts me off with a snort.

“You sound like Poppy. A little mother hen. I’ll be fine. We grew up on these beaches, remember?”

She turns before I can respond. I watch her walk away and subtly scan the area. I know it’s ridiculous to think Nelson is going to pop out of nowhere and ambush me or something, but I don’t think clearly where that man is concerned. My head has been on a swivel all day, and Collin has noticed. I sense him watching me, feel his gaze on my cheek even when I’m not looking at him.

I need to get control of my thoughts. Focus on something else. I don’t need him asking me questions I don’t want to answer. This is Poppy and Mack’s weekend. It’s supposed to be fun. I’m going to bring the whole party down if I keep being paranoid.

I flick my gaze back in the direction of Collin.

He’s toweling off his chest, and my eyes snag on his Adonis V.

Dang it.

I want a distraction, but notthatdistraction.

I bounce my eyes back up to his face, and he’s grinning at me.

Because of course he is.

“You enjoying the gulf?” I say, trying to get out in front of this conversation.

“Absolutely. I’m heading straight back in. Taking a break so I can reapply sunscreen. Safety first.”

“Spoken like a true law enforcement officer.” I start digging through my beach bag. I think I threw a book in. I hope I did.

“That’s me. I bet Officer Prowler doesn’t apply sunscreen. He’s a rule breaker, that one. I can tell.”

I roll my eyes. “Are you still thinking about him?”

“No,” Collin says too quickly.

I narrow my eyes at him. “You so are. Why?”

Collin shrugs. It’s an attempt at nonchalance, but I refuse to let him have it.Thisis the sort of distraction I need—figuring out what makes Collin tick.

“These are things you need to share with me, your doting girlfriend.” I bat my eyelashes.

He makes a face at me and then plops down on the edge of my lawn chair. “Fine.” He shifts his jaw. “It’s just… I used to hold it against you, you know?”

“Hold what against me?”

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