“You want beachfront.”
“Yes. Mama used to bring us to the beach on weekends whenever she could. And I hated to leave. I’d sit and dig in the sand for hours, then play in the water until Mama insisted we leave. I fell in love with the water from an early age. It’s my dream to live somewhere right on the beach, so I can get up in the morning, grab my coffee and go sit outside and watch the sun come up over the water. Then in the evening, pour a glass of wine and listen to the sound of the waves as the sun sets.” She lifted her gaze to his. “I love the water, so my goal is for it to be the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see at night.”
He brushed his shoulder against hers. “Water lover.”
“You’re damn right I am. And I’ll work my tail off until I get what I want.”
“I don’t doubt that about you.”
“You love the water, too, obviously, since you bought the house right on it.”
“Yeah. I like to take the boat out. Mom and Dad always had us out there fishing, taking trips out on the lakes to water-ski. We’d go tubing all the time in the summers.”
“See what a good match we are, Barrett?”
He laughed. “Well, we have water in common, anyway.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’ll bet we have a lot more than that.”
She’d paused to look up at him. They were alone out here and as he looked at her mouth, her lips parted, and all he wanted to do was take a taste of her.
Bad idea.
“I don’t know about you,” he said, “but I’m thirsty. How about we head inside to the bar for a drink?”
Her lips curved. “I think you’re trying to avoid kissing me.”
Harmony was way too smart for her own good.
“So is that yes or no to the drink?”
“A drink is fine, Barrett. But before the end of tonight, you will kiss me.”
They headed up the beach toward the bar. “If that’s some kind of challenge, or you think you might be able to get me drunk enough, you’re going to lose.”
“We’ll see.”
Did he think walking away from her was easy? She was beautiful. Sexy. Magnetic. And the pull she had on him was strong.
But he could resist. He knew mixing it up with her would be disastrous, and would hurt not only her in the long run, but also his best friend.
He was doing the right thing by keeping his distance. And he was a strong man. He could resist temptation. Even if that temptation was as hot as Harmony.
The room was crowded when they walked through the doors. “We could sit at the bar,” Barrett suggested.
Maybe they could find Ted and strike up a conversation. Keep things light and easy that way.
“No, there’s a table over there in the corner,” Harmony said.
Great. Nice and remote. Intimate. Just what he didn’t want, but he followed her to the table and held out her chair for her to sit.
“Thanks.”
“What would you like to drink?”
“Vodka and cranberry juice.”
“I’ll go get us drinks.”
He wandered up to the bar and ordered Harmony’s drink and a beer for himself. He ran into Ted.
“Hey, how was dinner?”
“Fantastic. Really appreciate the recommendation.”
“You’re welcome. Where are you two sitting?”
Barrett pointed out their seats.
“I’ll have drinks brought over.”
“Thanks.” He took his money out to pay, but Ted waved him off. “Tab’s on me.”
“Not necessary.”
“Hey, it’s my pleasure. I like you two.”
“Well, thanks again.”
He headed back to the table. Harmony pulled her attention from the window and onto him, giving him a quizzical look as he took his seat.
“Ran into Ted. He’s having the drinks sent over. And he’s comping them.”
She smiled. “Isn’t he a nice guy?”
“Yeah.”
“I’d love to meet his girlfriend. I’ll bet they’re perfect together.”
“Really. What makes you think that?”
She shrugged. “The way he described her—their relationship. He’s almost giddy about reconnecting with her, as if he almost can’t believe it happened. He told me he feels really lucky that she was available at the exact moment in time that he came back home.”
“That was a nice thing to say.”
“Yes, it was.”
A waitress brought over their drinks and set them down.
“My name is Donna. Ted said to just flag me down whenever you want a refill. Drinks are on him the rest of the night.”
“Thanks, Donna,” Harmony said. “There will definitely be flagging.”
Donna laughed. “I’ll be looking for you.”
After Donna ran off, Barrett cocked a brow. “Planning on doing some drinking?”
She shrugged. “My first appointment isn’t until noon tomorrow. I might indulge.” She took a sip from the straw. “Besides, cranberry juice is very good for you.”
He shook his head, then tilted the bottle of beer to his lips. She might be trying to play coy with him, but he could see right through her. Her intent was to get him shit-faced drunk, then take advantage of him in their room tonight.