Bradford groaned. “Don’t wait for him on the beach with a towel. If you want him to notice you, stop trying to get his attention.”
She nodded and glanced down at the towel. “You’re so right. I’m playing this all wrong.” Her smile returned. “Thanks, Bradford.”
Warmth spread up his neck at the sound of his name on her lips. He frowned and tried to recall the face of the last woman he’d been with—less than a week ago, the one who had gone down on him on the drive back to her place. She’d been talented then and in bed later. Why was he having such a hard time recalling her face?
Joanna tapped a finger to her chin. “I’ve never been good at playing hard to get, but maybe that’s why I’m still single. This isn’t just any guy—this is Dylan Sutton. If things worked out between us I could actually be related to my best friend. We could raise our babies together. That alone should be enough incentive for me to up my game.”
When Bradford didn’t answer, Joanna looked around for Dylan. He was standing next to his father within a circle of locals who were asking for his autograph. “Do you think he’s out of my league?”
Bradford gave Joanna a slow once-over and made a pained sound deep in his chest. She was neither flirting with him nor digging for a compliment. Did she genuinely not know how fucking good-looking she was?
Without waiting for him to respond, she squared her shoulders and said, “There I go doubting myself again. No one is out of anyone’s league, right? People are just people. I have to stop trying so hard. All I can do is put myself in the right place at the right time, and if magic is meant to happen it will.” Her smile did crazy things to Bradford’s ability to think straight. “You’re easy to talk to, Bradford. Thank you.”
With that, Bradford did the only thing that seemed to make sense to do—he turned on his heel and walked away.
Soon after Bradford’s departure, Joanna’s friend Aly appeared at her side. She said, “Connor’s proposal will forever stand out as the most unique I’ve ever seen. How about you?”
“Definitely. I loved when he acted like the fish was too big for him to catch so he suggested she try it. And she did it and found the ring instead. I would have never guessed she grew up in a place like this. He brings out a side of her I had no idea existed.”
“That’s for sure. And it’s a good one.”
Joanna smiled in the direction of the couple. “He stands taller when she’s around. She obviously makes him happy. I love it.”
Aly nodded in agreement. “Me too.”
Even though Aly was one of Joanna’s closest friends, she was not above mocking Joanna’s desire to find a Prince Charming and settle down. Some people had huge dreams of making the world a better place. Aly was doing her share via her inventions in the female diagnostics field. Joanna’s dreams had always been much smaller, much closer to home.
She’d grown up as the only child of two loving parents and adoring grandparents. She had cousins who regularly asked her when she planned to move back home and settle down. She had old friends who asked the same.
Her life wasn’t perfect, but she kept her focus on the good in it. Family. Friends. Her new career as an author of a top-selling children’s book series about her rescue miniature horse, Betty. She was not only able to make a living off her new income, but also support the rescue and rehabilitation of other minis.
The only thing missing? Someone to share her life with. Her biological clock was ticking. Marriage wasn’t for everyone, but she couldn’t imagine herself without a husband and child.
“I saw you talking to Dylan earlier. How’d that go?” Aly asked.
Joanna shrugged. “He seemed nice.”
“He’s gorgeous. Most people don’t live up to their onscreen presence, but he absolutely does. Very sexy. Are you interested in him?”
“Why? Are you?”
“Not if you are.” Oh, crap. It was one thing to be competing with nameless swarms of bikini-clad fans, but she and Aly had never set their sights on the same man. “I do think he’s hot, but if you tell me you’re interested, I’m not that into him.”
“I feel the same way. If you want him, just say so. No big deal.”
For some reason that tickled Joanna’s sense of humor. “Is it that easy? We toss a coin and the winner gets him? I admire your confidence.”
Aly laughed. “You know what I meant. Our friendship means a lot more to me than any man ever will.”
A little devil in Joanna wanted to test that claim. “Okay, then I’ll take him.”
Aly’s eyes narrowed slightly, then she smiled. “Whew, that’s a weight off my shoulders. I was thinking buying a condom in this town is probably equivalent to taking out a billboard sign announcing you’re engaging in intercourse.”
Joanna shook her head. When it came to books, Aly was a hundred, possibly a thousand times smarter than she was. Aly’d gotten her PhD while Joanna was still working on her bachelor’s degree. But when it came to people? Men in particular? Aly was lost. She very rarely dated because, by her own admission, she lacked whatever romance gene was required for it.
Given a real shot at Dylan, Aly probably would have sex with him once or twice then decide it couldn’t work out—for whatever reason she came up with that day—and it would be over. So, by claiming Dylan for herself, Joanna was actually doing their circle of friends a favor. Awkward breakups could add a strain to even strong friendships, and Aly and Angelina were like sisters to her.
Still, Joanna felt she needed to clarify their stance one last time. “Seriously, though, if you like him I would never go after a man you felt something for.”
“I know that,” Aly said then hugged Joanna. “The world is full of beautiful, rich men. You can have this one.”
Relief washed over Joanna and a level of giddiness returned. “He’s just so perfect. Do you know he does all his own stunts? Angelina said he’s humble too, like Connor. He has the same goofy sense of humor.” She grimaced. “Can you imagine us together?”
Without missing a beat, Aly said, “Absolutely. You’ve got a wholesome vibe a man like him would be drawn to. Just be careful.”
“Oh, I intend to be. I’m going to play it cool—let him chase me.”
“That’s smart.” She cleared her throat. “Speaking of being careful. I wouldn’t get too close to Bradford.”
“Why not?” Joanna straightened in surprise and searched the crowd for him. He was standing beside Ian Barrington, looking more like a bodyguard than the friend everyone said he was. When their eyes met, Joanna waved. He didn’t wave back.
She wasn’t offended because she doubted his lack of response had anything to do with her. Like a brokenhearted horse sold to a kill lot, someone had taught him to avoid a kind hand. As with the animals she worked with, she understood patience and consistency was the key to earning his trust. She smiled at him and thought, It’s okay, Bradford. You take your time. When you’re ready you’ll see I’m not so bad.
“Look at him.”
Joanna frowned and turned back to face her friend. “Since when do you judge someone by how they look? Every one of his tattoos might be a tribute to someone he loves. He might have gotten those scars while saving people. We don’t know what he does.”