2. Hallie
HALLIE
S awyer freaking Kade.
My stupid juvenile heart is pounding, and try as I might, I can’t seem to peel my eyes from the way his shirt stretches across his chest.
Or the way his sleeves hug his biceps.
Tall and lean and absolutely not boyish like I remembered him to be, Sawyer Kade is all man now, and I suddenly wish I’d hooked up with someone before coming back here.
Did I charge my vibrator?
I’m going to need to do that.
Stat.
Because even with Starlight Bay being my hometown, and the number of tourists that come through here, I have a strict no-fraternization policy for myself when I’m here.
It’s easier.
No one gets hurt.
“Are you excited to be back in town?” Sawyer asks, bringing me back to the present and, more importantly, stopping my not subtle perusal of his body.
Keep it together, Hallie.
“I am,” I say quickly before adding, “kind of.”
“Why’s that?”
He nods toward my car and I take the hint, moving back to grab my suitcase and a handful of random things I brought including three water bottles that keep my drink the perfect temperature, my favorite pillow and blanket, a yoga mat, and two cases of a prickly pear seltzer that were on sale that I’m now committed to drinking.
“I thought I’d stay with my parents, but they’re remodeling half the house and living in the other half, so unless I wanted to sleep on the couch and dodge the contractors between shifts…”
“Not really an option, was it?”
“No.” I pause, slinging the strap of the yoga mat over my shoulder. “Is this going to be weird?”
I mean, logically, living with your sister’s ex-boyfriend is definitely weird.
But is this like weird?
He opens his mouth and then closes it before opening it again. “It’ll be fine.”
“That’s not a no.” I laugh, watching as his lips twitch the slightest bit, and gah, this man is way too hot for his own good.
“I was gonna say it’s too soon to tell. You like that better, Hallie?”
His words are a tease, but the way he says my name, his accent more delicious than I remember, is making me more than a little hot.
And bothered.
Definitely bothered.
I’m totally making this weird.
“Well, we’re adults and my schedule is crazy so you’ll hardly know I’m here.” Even as I say the words, I know they’re a lie because I’ve felt more in the last few minutes being near Sawyer than I have in the last few years with anyone else.
Because of course I do.
I hold my breath and pray he doesn’t call me out on such a blatant lie, and he doesn’t. No, he does something way worse.
Sawyer Kade turns toward the house and walks up the porch steps, giving me the perfect view of his ass in those jeans, and like a moth to a flame, I follow him.