Free A Secret Between Friends: A New Zealand Sexy Beach Romance (Treats to Tempt You Book 6) by Serenity Woods Page B

right you clever boy.” He was so yummy she could have eaten him with a spoon.
    “Oranges are orange, aren’t they?”
    “Yes, they are.”
    “Why aren’t apples apple then? Why are they green and red?”
    “I have no idea,” she said honestly. “I’m sorry I missed your birthday, sweetie. Did you have a good time?”
    “We went to the swimming pool and I went down the big water slide. Daddy came too and his shorts fell off.”
    “And he loves to tell everyone about it.” Beck walked toward them and swung the boy up in his arms. “Hello, tiger.”
    “Daddy!” It was Beck’s turn to receive the stranglehold.
    Genie pushed herself up, trying not to groan as pain shot through her knee, and forced her lips into a grin. “Your shorts fell off?”
    “Force of the water as I came down the flume.”
    “Almost caused a riot,” a voice said from behind them. “Men were clambering over each other to get out of the pool, women were fainting…”
    Genie laughed and turned to give Josie a hug. “Hey, you.”
    “Hey, Genie.” Josie tightened her arms around her. “It’s so good to see you.” She stepped back and gave her a hard look. “How are you? You look a bit dark under the eyes.”
    “Just the jet lag.”
    Josie’s frown told Genie she didn’t quite believe her. “You know you can always come and see me, don’t you? If you ever want an appointment, just ring and tell my assistant who you are, and I’ll make a space for you.”
    Genie’s spirits lifted a little. She’d forgotten Josie was a psychologist. The notion of speaking in confidence to someone she knew appealed to her. “I might do that, thanks.”
    Josie smiled. She was a pretty girl, with dark blonde hair cut in an attractive bob and a ready smile, and she was intelligent and funny. Genie glanced up at her brother and caught him watching his ex. He turned his attention back to his son as Josie walked over to them, but not before Genie had caught the look on his face. No wonder he hadn’t gotten himself a new girlfriend, Genie thought. He still loved her.
    “You still okay for Saturday?” Josie asked.
    “Of course.” Beck lowered Edward to the floor. “No worries.”
    “Okay, I’ll drop him off at two.”
    “Are you doing anything nice?” Beck’s voice was innocent, but Genie could hear the question behind it. Are you seeing someone?
    Josie ruffled her son’s hair. “Just going to the cinema with a friend.”
    Beck nodded. A silence stretched between them. Genie could see him itching to ask if it was a male or female friend, but he refused to voice the question. Josie met his gaze for a moment. Ask her, Genie urged him in her head. She wants you to ask her. Clearly, though, he wasn’t going to.
    Not wanting him to torture himself for days, Genie decided to ask. “Ooh, going on a date?” She made her voice playful.
    Josie lowered her gaze. “No, just a girl friend.”
    Beck glared at his sister, obviously deducing what she was up to. She shrugged—at least now he knew. “Oh, well I hope you have a nice time.”
    “Thanks. Don’t forget to call if you want to talk.”
    “I will, thank you.”
    Josie smiled and took Edward’s hand. “Say goodbye.”
    Edward waved. “Bye Auntie Gin. Bye Daddy.”
    “Bye, Teddy Boy.”
    The two of them left the bar, heading into the summer sun.
    Genie turned to her brother. He’d stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans and the muscles at the corner of his jaw had bunched. How hard must it be to say goodbye to his son, knowing he probably wouldn’t see him again until the weekend?
    She cleared her throat, “Beck—”
    “Don’t,” he said sharply, and turned to walk behind the bar, where he began to organize the glasses ready for opening time.
    She gave up. “Okay. I’ll catch you later.”
    He nodded, and she left him to it, knowing from experience it would be pointless to try to make him talk.
    She headed out, blinked at the sunlight, and lowered her sunglasses over her