Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
His pace slows as he turns to face me, brows lifted high in question.
“Marriage is a waste of time, fueled by unrealistic high hopes that eventually crash and burn,” I add.
Now, he comes to a full stop. “Wow.”
I shrug. “That’s what I’ve seen. The statistics support it.”
He looks at me for a beat before resuming our walk. “Is that what you think will happen for your sister?” He lifts his free hand toward the resort. “Is this all a waste of time?”
I take a breath and prepare to answer, but I don’t know what to say. I’m happy for Sadie, and I wish the best for her and Adam. My hope is that they’ll be among the lucky few who do have a successful marriage.
“I hope Sadie and Adam will be happy. Marriage just isn’t for me.”
“Maybe you haven’t met the right person yet.” His grin is back, but his eyes are serious. I meet them briefly, but then look out toward the darkening ocean.
He leaves me to my thoughts for a few minutes, but I don’t want to think about whether or not the right man is out there. I don’t believe there is a right man for me, and even if there is, I’m not prepared to go through the heartache it would require to find him. I’ve been through enough already.
A rogue wave rolls in, perilously close to our feet, and I jump in front of Max to get out of the way. I try to move further away from the surf, but he keeps hold of my hand. “What’s the matter? Don’t want to get your feet wet?”
“The water’s probably cold.”
His grin is devilish as he stands firm and keeps me close. “Let’s find out.”
The hem of my dress is well out of the way, but I gather it up anyway, using my free hand. The next wave glides in, but stops short.
“Looks like we need to get closer.” Max slides his arm around my waist and walks us a few inches toward the water, where I brace myself for the incoming swell. When the water bites at my toes, I run in place, trying to keep one foot out of the water at all times, but only managing to splash some of it further up my leg.
“I was right. It’s cold!”
He doesn’t budge and doesn’t let me go. “It’s refreshing.” When another one comes in, he pulls me closer. “I’ll keep you warm.”
I’m laughing as the next wave splashes in, the heat of Max’s solid body seeping into my arms and chest. My feet are suffering, but the rest of me feels pretty darn good in his arms.
“It’s invigorating,” he says as he rubs my back.
“It’s torture!” I’m actually coming around to agree with him, but it’s more fun to protest.
Max’s hands slide to my hips as he steps us backward, out of reach of the water, up where the dry sand is warm under my feet. He keeps his arms wrapped around me, holding me against his chest, rubbing my bare arms to take the chill away.
He smells good. I let myself soften into his embrace and lean into the strength of him. His breath is warm against my ear when he leans down to ask if I’m feeling better.
I’m feeling good. Too good.
If it were just Max and me here, pretending to be a couple, it might be easy to let myself have the kind of fun that Ana’s always reading and talking about.
The man is attractive, and appealing in every way. He’d be easy to fall for—so it’s a good thing that his brother has come along, too.
CHAPTER 24
CALLIE
When we’re back at the party and my sister finds me to ask a question about the photo booth for the reception, Max excuses himself to go to the restroom, promising he’ll be right back.
It seems that only a few minutes pass before he reappears at my side, but it’s not Max—it’s Miles.
I carry on the conversation with Sadie as usual, hoping she doesn’t notice when I stiffen. Miles joins in, commenting on the music and the food, mentioning how good the chicken satay skewers were, when it was actually his brother who ate one.
Their coordination is impressive.
When Sadie’s called away by our mom, Miles steps in closer, his voice low, his brow furrowed. “You know. How can you tell?”
I shrug, looking over the angles of his face, the rich brown of his eyes. “I can just tell. There are small physical differences, but mostly it’s your energy.”
Miles frowns slightly before the corners of his lips turn up in the grin that I associate much more with Max. “Mine is a manlier energy, right? Is that how you can tell?”
I burst out laughing at this unexpected joke and automatically reach out to touch his arm, before reminding myself that it wasn’t Miles I was just cuddling with on the beach.