Love the One You Hate

Rhett’s been talking to me about a yacht race he wants us to enter in a few months, and who the fuck cares, man? Can you please stop talking? My brain can only handle so much at one time, and watching Maren walk out of the water is priority number one right now.

“Why don’t you just ask her out already?” Rhett prods, having successfully followed my gaze.

I jerk my attention back to him. “Because last I checked she and I weren’t on great terms. Why would she say yes?”

“Because you’re the second best guy I know—after myself, of course.”

I laugh and brush him off. “You’re an idiot.”

“Well, if you’re not going to do something about it, Barrett will.”

“He already has.”

“It was only one date, and it didn’t sound all that serious.”

“No, but they went out with Tori on Friday and Barrett asked Maren to be his date to the ballet gala next weekend. She said yes.”

“No shit? Sorry man.”

“It’s fine. Even if we were better friends, I don’t think it’s appropriate. I don’t want her thinking I’m trying to take advantage of her position at Rosethorn, like she has to say yes to a date with me or something.”

“What a damn saint. If I were you, none of that shit would matter.”

With his motivating words in mind, I push off my chair and head toward her.

She’s at the ocean’s edge, by herself, burying her toes in the sand.

I keep a healthy distance as I come to stand beside her. She stills for a moment, then continues stirring up the sand. “Having a good time?” I ask.

She peers up at me from beneath her wet lashes. “Yes, actually. Are you?”

“It’s a little awkward…after Friday night.”

She nods and nibbles on her bottom lip before tossing me a shy smile.

“Yeah. Obviously, I’m sorry for the way I acted. It wasn’t one of my finer moments.”

“There’s no reason to apologize. I’m not sorry you said what you did. In fact, I’m happy we cleared the air.”

She laughs and shakes her head.

“What?” I prod.

“Oh, nothing. It just…doesn’t really feel like the air is clear. Does it?”

Our gazes stay locked together, and I’m not sure what we’re talking about—Friday night or everything that came before it? Our feelings about our fight or our feelings, period?

“Are you into Barrett?” I ask suddenly, consequences and awkwardness be damned.

She smiles and then teasingly replies, “Are you jealous?”

“I’ve never been the type.”

She shrugs. “Then you have nothing to worry about.”

I don’t like her evasiveness. I step closer and catch hold of her green eyes, which are brilliantly bright in the sunlight. “I don’t see you two together.”

“Oh? I didn’t realize you were psychic. Tell me, who should I be with if not Barrett?”

“Someone more mature, for starters.”

“Hmm, mature…does that mean someone older?”

I continue on, ignoring her question. “Someone intelligent. Witty.”

“Wow.” She grins. “You don’t think much of Barrett, do you?”

“I just want the best for you.”

“And what about you? Are you on the table?”

I take a beat, thinking over her surprising words, and it’s just enough time for her to regret them. She shakes her head and turns to walk away. I reach out and catch her arm, keeping her near me.

“Hey, do you like me?” I ask, brows furrowed.

“Like you? How could I possibly like you when I’m so busy hating you?” she teases.

“Don’t do that.”

I hate the games. I want honesty.

“Maren! Nicky!” Tori shouts, cutting off our intimate moment. “You guys want to play volleyball?”

I keep Maren in my sights, trying desperately to drag us back to where we just were. Screw volleyball. Screw everyone else. Let’s keep talking.

But Maren blinks and turns away, agreeing to play before dashing off away from me.* * *Around five, everyone starts to pack it in. We’re all a little tanner than we were at the start of the day, and a little sandier too.

I watch Maren tug on a short white dress over her bikini, and I think I can finally release the breath I’ve been holding in all day.

“Maren, you ready to go?” Barrett asks, nodding toward the exit.

“She’s with me,” I say, like a goddamn brute.

Barrett laughs. “This again? What do you have against me driving her home?”

“Nothing, but I’m headed there already, so there’s no need for you to take her.”

“She can always come with me if she wants,” Tori adds, not helping the situation.

“Wow. I’ve never had so many people offer to drive me somewhere.” Maren laughs. “How’d I get so lucky? Barrett, Tori, thanks for the offer, but I agree with Nicholas. It’s just easiest.”

Tori winks like she doesn’t quite believe Maren’s reasoning. Barrett shrugs and walks over to give her a kiss on the cheek. I’m pretty sure he whispers something about how excited he is that he’ll be her date next weekend, but I can’t be certain. I’m too busy trying to convince myself not to pull them apart. What was I saying earlier about not being the jealous type? Turns out I was wrong.