Page 8 of Perfect Guy

Madelyn

“Ican’trememberthe last time I took a Saturday off,” Joy says as she leans back on her towel. The sun shines above us and glistens on the water before us.

“I bet it feels like you’re doing something wrong,” I giggle.

“It does. Grandma and Mom insisted I come. I baked what was necessary for today, and they are managing. I’m sure the town will either say I’m sick or lazy.” She laughs and rolls her eyes.

“Or doing the dirty with Brayden,” I joke and sit up to grab my canned wine, taking a sip. It’s surprisingly good and refreshing. We all came out to the lake today. Levi wanted to go boating, but more of us joined, and we thought it’d be better to stay on land.

“Mads.” I look up and see Jillybean, my cousin Grady’s daughter waving at me from the water.

“Are you swimming lots?” I call out.

“Yeah! Look at this!” She dives under the water and swims a few feet. I clap for her and make a big deal of her accomplishment. I love that little girl, and I’m so glad Grady moved back to Mason Creek a couple of years ago.

“She was so excited to come,” Charlee says a few spots down from me. She is married to Grady, and they have another little girl, who is also adorable. Her sister, Joey, is beside her. She got involved with Cole, who was as much of a ladies’ man as Levi. Seeing both of them in serious relationships is weird and wonderful at the same time.

Oliver moves after Jillybean, but he stays closer to the shore. When they met last month, they became fast friends.

“Oli, careful,” Camille calls out, and Levi places a hand on her shoulder, leaning in and whispering.

I look around, observing everyone. I was ready to give all of this up. My family and friends. The town I love. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

“I’m going for a swim. It’s hot today.” Joy stands. “Wanna go?” She looks at me.

“I’ll go in a bit.” I smile and lift my can. “Don’t want this to get hot.”

“I’ll go with you,” Hallie says. She walks over to Wilder, and he instantly wraps his arms around her. She’s the best sister-in-law, and I’m so happy for my older brother after the heartache he endured.

I blink away quickly and sigh, turning on my stomach and lying on the towel. Charlee is bouncing Livie and softly singing since she’s fussy. I grab my book from my bag and open it to the page I’m on.

Screeching and laughter are going on behind me, likely the guys wetting the girls. Jillybean calls out, “Daddy, me!” and I smile to myself.

The commotion on the water becomes background noise as I begin reading, getting lost in a different world. I’m always transported by the books I read, and it’s my time to relax and disconnect.

“You still reading about that musician?”

I jolt and tense, looking to my right. Canaan sits on Joy’s towel with a shit-eating grin.

“You scared the crap out of me.” My hand goes to my chest as I get my breathing under control.

Canaan laughs beside me, removing his sneakers. “Sorry, I guess.” He doesn’t seem one bit sorry since his smile is still wide. I didn’t know if he was coming or not since he had been at the firehouse for the last twenty-four hours.

“You’re not going in the water?” His eyes move to my waist before coming back up to mine.

“In a bit.” I keep my eyes trained on his.

“That real-life visual I offered the other day is happening sooner than I thought,” he winks and removes his t-shirt.

I can’t help but gaze down his chest and stomach. His muscles are defined and hard, no doubt from the work he does. When he stands, he gives me a clear view of his body as he adjusts his swimming trunks low on his hips. Gah, he even has that V that women always drool over.

I clear my throat and look back at my book before he notices the blush on my cheeks. I’m too fair-skinned to hide any reaction. Laughing to himself, he walks to the water, leaving a trail of his masculine cologne and the image of his six-pack and cut arms. Damn him, that was definitely flirting if I had any doubt before.

I try to focus on the story again, but it’s no use. I’m distracted. I chug what’s left of the wine and stand. The sun is itching my skin, so getting in the water will be good.

As I walk into the lake, Canaan arches a brow and looks at me. I don’t miss the way his eyes trail down my body. It would normally make me feel awkward and uncomfortable, not used to having guys check me out, but he leaves a burning path that even the cold lake water can’t douse.

“Needed to cool down?” He gives me a cocky smile.

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