Page 15 of Here & Now

“You keep saying that.”

“Because it’s true.”

“I’m trying to be a nice guy.”

“Are you one?”

That gave him pause. “I think so.”

“Did your date agree?”

He frowned. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason.” She turned away and perused the bikes.

There was something suspicious about the way she was acting…

“Were you spying on me last night?”

“No!” she said a little too quickly.

He broke into a smile. “Yes, you were.”

“Was not.”

“I thought I heard a noise on your lanai.”

“I was quiet!” She clamped a hand over her mouth. “Shit,” she muttered.

He pointed at her accusingly. “I knew it!”

She dropped her hand. “In my defense, I was there first.”

“But you stayed there even after…”

“I didn’t want to disrupt your romantic evening,” she said sarcastically.

He scratched the back of his head. “It wasn’t what it looked like.”

“Oh really?” She adopted a different voice. “Have you ever gone skinny dipping? Not recently, but I’m game if you are.”

He gaped at her, but he was more embarrassed than angry. If she only knew what had happened afterward, she might think differently of him.

“Anyway, I wasn’t trying to listen, but your voices carried.”

“I’ll have to remember that.”

“For next time?”

He shrugged and averted his gaze. He understood what it must have looked like to her, but she didn’t know the full story. “Anyway, let’s get you a bike.”

She was quiet as he showed her the array of options. Unlike Callie, she chose a fat-tire bike that was more practical than fashionable. He smiled at her choice.

“What?” she said.

“Nothing. You’re all set.”

She frowned. “I haven’t paid yet.”