67

"What do you think? I stayed the hell out of it. What can I say.... Deanie is the one who always gets on my parents' nerves. They can't stay mad at her for long anyways so I guess it always works out well for her"

She laughed and leaned against the rails. "I can't wait to take a walk barefoot on the beach. It's been a while since I let myself do anything else apart from work"

When she turned back to him, he reached out and brushed his fingertip against the tip of her nose. Such a jolt of electricity went through her, she drew back sharply, tucking her chin and touching the spot herself to soothe the lingering burn. A myriad of feelings swirled through her. Self-consciousness, sheepish amusement, something uncertain and shy as she reacted to the most innocuous of caresses from him. His shrewd gaze seemed to delve all the way to her soul.

"Am I invited to that walk?" he asked softly.

Chloe gave him a small smile. "Sure you are," she said.

Her entire body was still tingling from the brus