“Nope, I’m good.” This would also give me a chance to talk with Colby a bit more. Just a little light conversation to help us transition back into the friendship I was really missing or, who knew, maybe it would lead to even more.
Chapter 9
When we got back to Colby’s, we grabbed a few beers and headed to his back porch. It really was the perfect place to relax. His small two-bedroom house had belonged to his grandparents, which meant it was ideal for two young guys, being that it was rent free, but it also meant they lived on what I lovingly called Senior Citizen Row. He didn’t have a single neighbor under seventy. It was quiet and peaceful, but the residents of Coral Cove also really loved Colby and Landon, considering they’d watched them grow up, so they tended to look the other way if things got a little too loud on occasion. But that rarely happened, since the guys were quick to remind their friends to respect their neighbors. Add in the lull of the waves crashing against the shoreline just a few hundred feet away, and it was almost spellbinding. So Colby’s had become more of a sit, enjoy the beach, have a few drinks, and share some easy conversation kind of place.
But like most people, Matt and Taylor fell to the siren call of the ocean, and it didn’t take long for the two to wander off for a late night walk on the beach, leaving Colby and me all alone.
Before, this would’ve been my favorite time of the night, having him here all to myself. Moonlight, sea breeze, and conversation. All we’d ever needed. But tonight we had everything minus the conversation. I decided to change that.
“I finished my nursing school paperwork.”
Colby’s head snapped toward me as if he’d forgotten I was there or was surprised by my comment. “Oh?”
“Yeah. I, uh, actually got in with early admission. I get to start a semester sooner than planned. I leave in January.”
“Oh.”
“Just a few months away.” I glanced at him. “And please don’t just say ‘oh’ again.” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. “Pretend to be a little interested.”
“I am. I just wasn’t sure what to say.” He sank a little deeper into his chair, tugging the brim of his hat lower over his eyes, completely shutting my window to reading his expression. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks. It’s been a lot of work but I think I’m ready to move on.”
“Move on?”
“Like from my basics. I’m ready for some hands-on learning. I’m really excited about this program.”
“That’s great, Isla. Really it is. You’ll do amazing. I’ll miss you, of course, but you’ll kick ass.” He stood and lifted his empty beer bottle. “Can I get you another?”
I shook my head, trying to play it cool. Was it a generic nice thing to say or would he really miss me? And if so, in what capacity?
“Be right back.” He slid open the back door and stepped inside.
About thirty seconds passed, before I decided to follow him. He had his head buried in the fridge as he pulled out another beer, and when he turned around he didn’t look surprised to see me. Instead his gaze lingered on me, his eyes shifting from my face to my hair, then slowly down my body.
There were a lot of things that had confused me about Colby over the years; there’d also been a lot of second-guessing and desperately wanting to make something out of nothing. But if there was one thing I knew, as a girl who he’d looked at like that before, I wasn’t just seeing desire where I wanted to. And maybe it was the few beers I’d already had, or maybe it was the fact that he looked more than inviting with his messy hair peeking out of his cap, his lips a bit reddened from drinking, and his eyes, so intense and focused on me, but I found my confidence again. The same one that had sprung to life a few nights ago.
As I slowly closed the gap between us, Colby didn’t move. Instead he just tracked my movements, as if he could will me closer with just a look. Which he obviously could. After all, that was exactly the motive behind every step I took. I had to know what was behind that look. Would he shut down, like that night by my car, or would he let go, like he had when he first kissed me?
When nothing remained between us but a breath’s space, I placed my hand against his well-worn shirt, slowly letting my palm glide up his chest and around his neck.
He took a deep breath, his eyes slightly glazed, and his mouth parted.
But then a thought flitted through my head. He’d been drinking. I doubted he was drunk, but it was safe to assume he had a buzz. Was this Colby the only version who wanted me? I’d let that go the first time, but I couldn’t be nothing more than a drunken hookup. It was even lower on the totem pole than friends with benefits, considering he’d at least have to make that decision with a clear head.