She looked pleased by that. “Then it’s all yours.”

My eyes held hers, a small smile on my lips. “And your apology is accepted.”

She arched an eyebrow. “And you won’t refer to me as pervert from now on?”

“Sure seems like an accurate nickname.”

Tabitha pressed her palms to her cheeks. “I can feel myself blushing. But you must know how you look in a towel, right? You’re like one of those Sports Illustrated calendar models.”

“A…calendar model?”

She blew out a breath, looking adorably flustered. “The fact that I’m babbling like an obsessed fan girl should paint a more accurate picture of what I mean.”

I had no response to Tabitha referring to herself as an obsessed fan girl when the object of that obsession was me.

“If Emily Post saw you, she’d understand my dilemma.” She patted the spot next to her. “Come sit. Unless, of course, my very awkwardness has made you want to abandon this friendship permanently.”

Swallowing hard, I sat on the top step. It took me a second to get comfortable, stretching my right leg out. Her bare thigh pressed tight to mine, and I could see the chipped pink polish on her toes. Her pale skin was covered in a cluster of freckles near her knee. A few scars. Along the side of her leg was a large tattoo of a compass with leaves and petals.

She handed me one of the spoons. “Spontaneous water ice is a favorite summer activity of mine on the rare occasion that I’m back home. But I know how important your training is to you. I don’t want you doing anything you’re not comfortable with.”

The random dessert wasn’t the problem. It was letting go. Giving in. Funny how often every coach and trainer used to comment on the strength of my iron willpower. It was apparently no match for the feel of Tabitha’s soft skin against mine or the odd intimacy of seeing her bare feet.

I dipped my spoon into the bowl and took a bite. Flavor burst on my tongue—tart lemon and sweet sugar. It tasted like summer vacation and lightning bugs. Long days and hot city nights. It was only Italian ice—and yeah, I was only a man after all—but my first thought as soon as I swallowed was what the hell else have I been missing?

I licked my lips. Let my gaze rise to meet hers. “Goddammit.”

She was enjoying her own dessert. “It’s good, right?”

I shook my head in disbelief. Took another bite.

She laughed, licking mango water ice from her spoon. “We’ve already stayed up past your bedtime and cleaned up trash together. What can’t we do?” She nudged my arm. “Can I ask who was on the phone? You looked both surprised and pissed at the same time.”