Page 46 of Beneath the Scars
My best friends’ words barely filter into my head.
“Do you think she even knows that we’re still here?”
“It doesn’t seem like it.”
“You two are being ridiculous,” I finally say to them. I won’t divulge how hard it was to rip my focus off him.
Michael says something to his dad before walking over to our table. “Adalaide.”
My insides melt at his deep voice saying my name. “Hi,” I say breathlessly.
“Whew, I can feel the steam between them from here,”Caroline teases. I turn to glare at her while she’s fanning her face.
“Stop it,” I hiss.
Michael smirks at me before turning to Caroline. “It’s good to see you, Caro. Glad you’re back in town.”
“I’m glad to be back.”
“How long are you staying?”
“Just a week. Someone commissioned me to paint the New York City skyline. So I’ve got to head up north.”
“Your life sounds glamorous,” Zane says.
“You’d think that, but living in a small van with no plumbing gets a little bit tricky. Thankfully, I don’t have to bother impressing anybody. A few days of no showering tends to be the norm.”
Zane scrunches his nose. “Gross.”
“Told you.”
Michael doesn’t say anything to Zane. Is he still jealous? I can’t imagine why, though I know he wasn’t thrilled that Zane’s staying the weekend.
“Caroline,” Uncle Todd says as he comes up to our table. “I didn’t know you were home.”
“Just got in this morning.” Caroline stands to hug Uncle Todd.
“I bet your dad is over the moon to have you home. What are you three up to today?”
“We’re going out to the lake,” Caroline says. “I haven’t been there in forever, and we thought it would be fun.”
“Sounds like a wonderful afternoon,” Todd says before turning to Michael. “We’d better get going.”
Michael gives me a long, lingering look. “Be good, Trouble. Caroline, nice to see you.” Then he nods at Zane and turns toward the door.
I watch him walk away. His navy police uniform pants aremolded to his ass. Add in the bulky vest he’s got on, and man, I could jump him right now.
He flicks a quick look over his shoulder, catching me checking him out. I swear, I almost come when he throws a wink at me.
A low whistle catches my attention. “Damn, girl,” Zane drawls. “The heat that man was throwing at you.”
“Seriously, though,” Caroline chimes in. “How are you not a puddle on the floor right now?”
I have no idea.
Chapter 25
Michael
