Eve: I want to go for a swim. I wish it was summer and we could swim in the lake.

He didn’t reply for a while. No wonder—that had been a random change of subject. Her fingers had taken over for her brain there.

Sawyer: What documentaries did you see?

It was his turn for a random change of subject, apparently.

Eve: Just one. It was about Dr. Ruth.

Sawyer: The sex lady?

Eve: Yep.

Sawyer: Did you pick up any tips?

Eve: Are we sexting now?

Sawyer: Nope. When are you back?

Eve: Tomorrow morning.

Sawyer: Great. I’m on overnight, so I’ll take a quick nap and then see you midday—for the real thing, not the digital version.

She grinned. She was excited to see Sawyer. But not just Sawyer. Maya, too, and even meddling Pearl.

Sawyer: If you want to, of course.

He had probably added that disclaimer because she hadn’t answered.

Eve: Oh, I want to.

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One

Evie was lugging her stuff inside the Mermaid when Sawyer started texting.

Sexting, really. Or at least their version of it, because what came through was a picture of his smiling face next to a box of condoms. Are you back yet?

Eve: I thought you were napping. It’s only ten.

Sawyer: Couldn’t sleep. Can’t imagine why.

She could feel herself blushing.

Sawyer: I’m at the community center. Can you meet me here?

Eve: Isn’t it closed on Sundays?

Sawyer: Not if you’re the chief of police. Bring a bathing suit.

Her gasp was audible. She had idly mentioned wanting to swim, but it seemed he’d made it happen.

Eve: I just have to grab something to eat, and I’ll be over.

Sawyer: I have lunch here. Just come.

Eve: Actually, maybe I should wait and do that there, too?

She snickered at herself.

Sawyer: Yes. Several times.

Eve: You know what? I think we’re getting better at this sexting thing.

Sawyer stood inside the doors of the community center waiting for Evie, and when she got out of her car in the parking lot, he was overcome. There was no other word for it. His throat thickened. She had only been gone a couple days, but he had missed her.

He wasn’t sure why. Life was the same as always. If anything, it was full of more distractions than usual. He’d had a mountain of paperwork to do after the rescue in the bay. He had driven Clara to the mall in London to shop for dorm room stuff. It was only February, but she wanted to “get a jump on things.”

But now Evie was here, and all the distractions fell away. He couldn’t speak as he opened the door to let her in.

She did not appear to be similarly affected. “Hi!”

“Hi,” he managed to croak.

“Did you have a good weekend?”