Addicted to You by Renita Pizzitola Page B

wanted.”
    I stood and muttered, “Yeah, because that went so great last time.”
    “It did.”
    My head shot up. I was surprised he’d heard my mumbling but even more shocked by his response. His eyes were fixed on me and the look in them awoke everything that had built inside me during our little kitchen incident.
    Would it be completely crazy to just go over there and kiss him? Quit messing with these stupid games that he was so clearly playing tonight, and let things just happen?
    His gaze traveled down my body, then just as quickly flicked down the hall where Landon had disappeared. Did Colby worry his brother would see us and we’d no longer be able to keep it secret? Or maybe he felt bad having a girl when Landon didn’t. Though that seemed far-fetched, it wouldn’t be unlike Colby to be too wrapped up in making everyone else happy before thinking of himself. And if that was the case, I’d be more than willing to help Landon find a girl. Once he got preoccupied with a love interest, maybe that would leave the door wide open for Colby to do the same.
    So instead of closing the distance between us physically, I’d work on the emotional gap first. I’d offer my ear to listen, offer advice, and hopefully help him make his brother happy, since that seemed to be a real concern, and then, when the time was right, hopefully I could make Colby happy as well.
    I smiled and asked, “Want to walk the beach with me to see if we can find them?”
    He blinked as if thrown off by my request, then nodded. “Sure. Let’s go see where they’re at. But if we stumble upon any naked beach activities, I’m blaming you.”
    He gently poked my shoulder as he stood and walked past me, and as dumb as it was, that little bit of casual familiarity calmed some of the worry that had been nagging at me since we’d slept together.
    “Let’s hope there’s nothing that crazy going on.” I grinned and followed him out the back door. “Maybe it’s just me, but there is nothing more unpleasant than the thought of sand getting into places where it shouldn’t be.”
    Colby laughed. “Not just you.”
    It was the first time I’d heard a true Colby laugh in several days and, God, had I missed it.

Chapter 10
    For the next few days, I didn’t see Colby. Which was probably good and bad. A little space didn’t hurt, but I missed him too. Over the summer, I’d become accustomed to leaning up against the hostess stand as his dad’s charter boat pulled in for the day. I’d watch him unload ice chests and fishing tackle, the muscles of his chest and arms bunching and flexing with every movement, shirt rising on occasion and giving me a peek at his suntanned abs, and really, what girl wouldn’t miss getting to watch that. But my favorite part of the boat docking for the night was the little hope that he’d pop over to Eddie’s and grab a bite to eat before heading home.
    But now I just stared out at the lonely boats in the harbor, bobbing in the water, under an overcast sky. Felicity’s now empty houseboat sat right next to Colby’s deep-sea fishing boat, making me long for summer again.
    The only word to accurately describe this day would be dreary. Thick gray clouds stifled any chance of sunshine. The wind whipped harder than normal, turning the usual gentle roll of the ocean into a foamy mess. It felt as if my happiness had become buried right underneath it as well.
    With my hands perched on the small of my back, I stretched to alleviate the stiffness from standing around today. I glanced at my phone and was thankful to see my shift ended in twenty minutes, which also meant I could begin my closing duties. At least that gave me something to do.
    As I walked from table to table, gathering salt and pepper shakers and ketchup bottles for refilling, I greeted the faithful locals who still came in to grab a bite. I made a second quick sweep with water and coffee. It wasn’t my job as hostess, but I liked taking care of the regulars. If