Both of her friends stared at her with another kind of look. One Julia definitely knew and didn’t like. It was a look that said, You know exactly what we’re talking about but you’re pretending you don’t because you want to avoid facing the feelings that come with acknowledging you know what we are talking about.

Because she did know.

As if reading her mind, Andie stepped closer. “This is not vodka, I am not drunk, and you know exactly what look we’re talking about.” She glanced behind Julia and lowered her voice. “I know you know because he’s giving you the look right now. But I don’t have to tell you that, because I bet you can feel it.”

“That’s ridiculous. I have no idea what you mean.” But even as Julia denied it, she knew. Because she did feel it. A tingling awareness. Luke had joined the group taking the walking tour. Unable to resist, she glanced over her shoulder. Yep. There he was. Quite a distance back but easy to spot. His long legs loping lazily along. Gray gaze on her.

“He’s staring because he’s probably wondering what the hell the three of us are doing, standing here in the middle of the trail,” she deflected. “Or maybe he’s horrified by the circus act my hair is becoming in this freaking humidity. It’s like a car wreck. He can’t look away.” Julia fanned herself with her notepad, trying to circulate some cooler air. “We’re at a lakefront resort. Where’s that legendary Lake Michigan breeze?”

“I’d say someone is getting worked up,” Kat observed.

“Yes, she does seem a bit hot and bothered,” Andie agreed. “You’d never guess what I caught her doing this morning.” She turned to Julia, gaze speculative. “I thought you were hangry, but maybe you’re horn—”

“You know what? I am hot. And you’re bothering me. Why don’t you two go on without me.” Julia waved to her friends. “I think I’m going to head back to the hotel.”

“But—” Kat began.

Andie tugged on Kat’s arm. “It’s fine. Let her go.” She waved at Julia. “Go ahead. We’ll see you later.”

Julia felt like an ass for blowing up. Part of her wanted to take back her words and stick with her friends. Not to mention do her job and participate in the scheduled resort activities, no matter how boring or irritating they turned out to be. But she’d made too big a stink to change her mind now, so she turned around and began retracing her steps, nodding and sharing an awkward smile as she passed other guests on the trail.