Wet (The Water's Edge #1) by Stacy Kestwick Read Free Book Online

winked at me then shoved the rest of the doughnut in his mouth, licking his fingers. Such a guy.

    After playing phone tag all week, Rue answered my call Thursday night. She’d left early the morning after we went to Anchor for her trip, so we hadn’t had a chance to debrief yet. I rehashed my previous weekend with her. She about died laughing when I recounted my run-ins with West. “West is such a player,” she said, when she caught her breath. “I don’t think I’ve ever known him to have a girlfriend. Although he is gorgeous, I’ll give you that.”
    “Tell me about it,” I said.
    Rue had spent her summers at Reynolds Island growing up, so I wasn’t surprised she knew who West was. She recounted a few rumors she’d heard about girls doing stupid stuff to get his attention. He sounded like an arrogant horn dog with attention span issues. Figured. The hot ones always were.
    “So, any other prospects out there? I take it Jared is gone.”
    “Yes, thank God. What about Eric?”
    “Eh, nothing to talk about there. He had hairy toes. It was weird.” Rue found something wrong with every guy, whether it was a date or a hook up. She was searching for the perfect man and refused to stop until she found him.
    I paused. “Why were you looking at his toes that closely? You know what, never mind, don’t tell me.”
    “You going out this weekend? Or do you want to have a girl’s night when I get back?”
    “Actually, I have a date Saturday,” I announced.
    “Oooohhh, with who?” she squealed with delight.
    “Theo, from work. Do you know him?”
    “Yes! Aw, he’s a sweetie! I wouldn’t have picked him for your type, but he’s a step up from Asshole.” My ex was never mentioned by name anymore. He didn’t deserve such kindness.
    “Sweet isn’t my type?” I was a little offended.
    “No. You like to argue too much.”
    “I do not!”
    “See what I mean?” she pointed out.
    I huffed. “We’ll see.”
    “Just remember,” she warned, “He’s a local. No hook ups. Dating for real, yes, casual sex, no.”
    I rolled my eyes, even though she couldn’t see it. “Yes, Mother.”
    She giggled. “I’ll see you Sunday then. Have fun!”

    On Saturday night, the doorbell rang promptly at seven. Two points for him , I thought, as I moved across the living room to the front door. I loved our house. It was a quaint little three bedroom place with an open floor plan, so the kitchen, living room, and dining room were one big space, with driftwood gray walls and nautical blue and white furnishings. We had a screened sun porch off the back of the kitchen and a big hammock tied between two live oaks dripping with Spanish moss in our small yard. Since the whole cottage was on stilts, we just parked under the house.
    I’d slipped on my favorite green sundress and wedges for the date, leaving my hair to fall in its natural partly curly, partly wavy riot around my shoulders. My make up was subdued, just mascara and lip gloss. Checking my reflection in the entryway mirror one last time, I smoothed the front of my dress, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
    Theo was leaning against one of the porch columns while he waited. He straightened when he saw me and came forward, giving me a hug, and my nerves vanished. This was just Theo. “You look really nice,” he said, grinning at me, one of his dark curls falling over his eye. He pushed it back, a movement I could tell was habit for him.
    “You’re looking pretty good yourself,” I returned, smiling. He was wearing the standard island guy uniform — a polo, plaid cargo shorts, and leather flip flops. I locked the front door, and we were ready to go. Theo held my hand as we walked down the steps and opened my car door for me, waiting until I slid inside before closing it behind me. A perfect gentleman.
    At the theater, we picked a comedy with Jason Segel, and he held hands with me during the movie too, lacing our fingers together. The connection felt warm and