Page 48 of Beating Heart
“Listen, I’d climb that man like a tree if he looked at me the way he looked at you when you were coming across the yard earlier.” Peyton’s voice was lacking humor now.
“Stop. You’re romanticizing things. He can’t stand me most of the time.”
“She’s not romanticizing this.” Demi leaned forward, and her gaze locked with mine. “She pointed it out, and we all turned and witnessed it.”
My heart raced at the thought. I’d noticed the way that he looked at me, and I knew the way I felt when he was around. But that didn’t mean we should act on it. “And how exactly does Nash Heart look at me?” My tone was all tease.
“Like he doesn’t care if it’s messy or complicated,” Ruby said. “And that’s not really his style. He’s aloof most of the time with women because his singular focus is Cutler. But his eyes were on you, and he smiled right when you stepped off your porch.”
“Nash doesn’t get excited about women. He has hookups, and then he goes back to his normal responsibilities,” Saylor said. “But something is different with you.”
“I’m just a newbie in town. I know how small towns work. I’ve got several brothers who love when a newbie comes to town. The shiny new toy. Trust me, it’ll wear off.”
“Don’t overthink it. You called off your engagement, right?” Peyton asked.
“Yes,” I said, unsure where she was taking this.
“Well, we all know the best way to get over a man is to get under a new one. And your neighbor is not only the hottest single guy in town—next to Hayes—but he’s also your neighbor. It couldn’t be more perfect.”
Thoughts of spending a night with Nash flooded my mind. Those toned abs I’d had a sneak peek of. Those muscular arms. The day-old scruff on his face. His wavy hair that I longed to run my fingers through.
Thick thighs.
Rough hands.
Did it just get hotter out here?
And then I remembered that I hadn’t been with anyone other than Collin. I’d never had a fling. I didn’t know how to separate sex from love.
I didn’t know if I was capable.
“Everything you said is true. He’s hot. He’s funny and nice and snarky all at the same time, and I like it. And God knows I haven’t had sex in so long, the lady parts are probably going to permanently close if I don’t do something about that soon.” I dangled the beer bottle from my fingers.
They all chuckled, yet I saw the empathy in their eyes as they looked at me.
“So, what’s the problem?” Ruby asked.
“I’m not a fling girl. I’ve never had one,” I admitted, feeling my cheeks flush. It was embarrassing, really. I’d only been with one man, and he hadn’t even been faithful to me.
“Well, hells to the yes. It’s the Fourth of freaking July. It’s a great time to try something new, and what better day for some fireworks of your own?”
And with those words, the sky lit up in bright reds and pinks and oranges.
Everyone cheered, and I glanced over to find Nash’s eyes on me.
And even though I felt the strongest pull toward this man, I knew I shouldn’t act on it.
My life was already a mess.
No sense adding fuel to the fire.
thirteen
. . .
Nash
I dropped Cutler off with J.T. His parents, Jay and Susannah, had become good friends, and I trusted them immensely. Our boys were both only children, so they were more like brothers at this point.
