The sound of an approaching boat had us both looking out at the water. Cal waved as they pulled up to the dock and tied off. Manny hopped out, followed by Sam and Hunter. “Morning,” Hunter greeted. “You guys are up and at it early.”

“She’s a drill sergeant,” Brody accused.

“One you chose to follow,” I pointed out.

“I didn’t know you were going to take pleasure in trying to kill me.”

Hunter chuckled. “Shay, maybe you can come whip my crew into shape next.”

“Please, God, no,” Sam said, widening his eyes comically.

“Don’t even think about it,” Cal broke in. “Building houses is enough of a workout for me.”

Hunter shook his head. “Then get up that hill and get to work so I don’t have to employ this one.” He hitched a thumb at me.

They started down the dock and towards the path, but Sam slowed his steps as he approached me. “How are you doing this morning?”

“Just fine. And you?”

“Better now.” Apparently, Sam hadn’t been put off by our awkward encounter a couple of weeks ago.

I felt heat at my back. Brody. And I could feel the glare he was sending Sam’s way.

Hunter gave him a shove. “Get going, Casanova.” Sam jogged up the path without another word. Hunter turned back to us. “Framing’s almost done. Should move on to getting you some walls soon.”

“I never thought I’d be so excited about walls,” Brody muttered.

Hunter grinned. “Just wait until you’re over the moon about insulation. I’ll see you guys later.” With a wave, he was off.

I stepped back from Brody, away from the heat that tempted me, urged me to burrow closer to him. “I’m going to grab a shower and then head into town for a mail run.”

“I think I’ll come with you, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course not.” It was a lie. I needed hours in the day separate from Brody, away from the pull he had over me. It was in those hours I could remind myself that while we were friends, he was also my boss. And with one action, he could rip my sanctuary right out from under me.

“What?” Brody asked, humor filling his tone as he strolled down the main street of Anchor next to me.

“You’re going to go into a diabetic coma if you try and eat all of that.”

He raised a brow. “I’ll share some of it with Hunter and his crew.”

“You got two dozen pastries.”

“I’m a growing boy.”

“Growing so much that you could barely carry the boxes?” We’d had to make a stop back at the boat to unload before finishing our errands.

“What can I say? I can’t resist a cupcake. And they had some crazy stuff in there.”