She was beautiful, he supposed. He’d overheard some of the guys talking about her, but until this moment, he hadn’t really paid attention.

“Good evening, XPO Boggs. Fancy meeting you here.” She was standing so close to him, he could smell her shampoo. Flowers. He liked the way Louisa smelled better.

“Just came in for a burger,” he said dumbly.

She grabbed his hand and tugged. “Come sit with us. I’ve got a great spot.” She pointed a finger toward the bar where she’d been sitting. “Plus, everyone is always trying to impress me, so I can get your food really fast.” She laughed.

He allowed himself to be led over to the bar and then sat next to McKenzie and her friend, a dark-headed girl with teeth so white he wondered if they were painted.

“This is Giselle,” McKenzie said. “She helps with my blog.”

Cody extended a hand toward the other girl. She picked it up and studied it as if he’d just handed her a clay pot. “Nice hands.” She grinned. “You’re hot.”

He put Giselle around age twenty-three. It was amazing how a few years could widen the gap between people.

“Derek, can you get my friend a burger with the works?” McKenzie fluttered her lashes and flashed a smile toward the bartender, who shot Cody a look.

“To go,” Cody said.

The man disappeared through a door, and Cody turned to find McKenzie pouting. “You’re not going to stay with us?”

“Sorry; I’ve got to get up early.” To see Louisa.

“I never get up early,” McKenzie said. “It’s against my religion.”

“You should try it,” Cody said. “I never miss a sunrise if I can help it.”

“No way.” Giselle slammed her glass on the bar. “Mack and I are creatures of the night.”

Both women laughed.

“I could come home with you,” McKenzie offered. “Keep you company. You could show me what’s so great about the sunrise.”

Her hand was on Cody’s leg.

He inched back. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I actually have to sleep.”

“Sleep is overrated.” Her eyes said what her mouth didn’t. Her hand squeezed his leg.

“Not when you have a 5 a.m. training session.”

“Training? Like, for the regatta?” McKenzie laughed. “Like you’re ever going to get Louisa to do anything useful in that boat.”

He looked away.

“You should’ve figured out a way to let me win you,” she said. “I actually know what I’m doing. And I don’t just mean on the boat.”

Charlie Pope appeared beside them. “Hey, hey, what’s up, guys? Hey, cap, how good of you to grace us with your presence this fine evening.”

Charlie Pope was drunk.

“I take it you guys aren’t training at 5 a.m.?” Cody asked McKenzie, who had won Charlie at the auction for a lot less money than she’d bid on Cody.