Page 67 of The Vacation Mix-Up
“What’s it about?”
“It’s a modern retelling of Aphrodite, Persephone, and Adonis. Set in Greece in the twenty-first century.”
“A modern retelling?”
“Uh-huh. Much like Baz Luhrmann’sRomeo and Juliet.” I divert my eyes from his delicious body and focus on the pool. “You going for a swim?”
“In a minute. You?”
“Not yet. I need to finish the chapter I was working on.”
He lets out a “Hmm.”
I ignore his disapproval. “I’ll let you test out the water first.”
“What’s to test? It’s water.”
“It might be cold.”
“Are you aquaphobic too?”
“No.” I smirk at his witty playfulness. “I just don’t like cold water.”
“Fear not, Riles. It’s heated.”
As I contemplate a quick dip before resuming my work, Ben plonks himself on the lounge chair next to Riley. “What’s happenin’, kids?”
I internally groan.
He bites his knuckle, his prurient eyes shamelessly raking the length of my legs. “Lucky son of a bitch.”
I blink. “I beg your pardon?”
“Never mind, love.” He winks at Riley and nods toward the pool. “You guys going for a swim?”
“No—”
“Yeah, we are,” Riley says, cutting me off while basking in my scowl. “How ’bout you, Ben?”
“Is the Pope a religious fuck? Of course I am.”
Oh my God! What is wrong with this guy?
Riley closes his eyes and slowly shakes his head. “You did it again, Ben.”
“Did what?”
“What we talked about in Halifax.”
“I did?” Ben winces. “Fuck! I suck at this.” He balls his fists, then relaxes. “Let me try again. Yes, friends. I’m going for a swim.”
Peeking one eye open, Riley grins.
“Better?” Ben asks.
Riley chuckles. “Much.”
Okay, that was weird.
