Free Going Nowhere (A Romantic Comedy Novella) by Kimberly Lauren Page A

followed the curves of the muscles in his chest with hungry eyes. “Thanks.”
    He took a step forward. “Now that I know what you think of Sam, I’m even more curious about how you feel about me.”
    It was a good question. I met his dark gaze and tried to formulate an answer that wasn’t too near the truth. “I think‌—‌”
    “Hey, you guys!”
    My entire body was jolted at the sound of Sam’s voice, the words I’d been planning to say to Max floating away like inconsequential wisps of smoke.
    “Hello?” Sam called again, yelling in the hot tub, his voice carrying across the moist sea air. “Am I going to have to send out a search party?”
    “Forget it, Kate. I know what you’re going to say,” Max said, glaring in Sam’s general direction. He turned away from the hot tub area. “I think I’ve stewed enough for one day.”
    I took a deep breath. “It’s a little too hot in the hot tub.”
    He laughed. “You could say that.”
    “I’m actually in the mood for a nice, cold Johnny Rocket’s ice cream shake.”
    “That does sound pretty good.” He looked over my shoulder. “What about Sam?”
    “We’ll invite him.”
    “And what if he doesn’t want to come?”
    I shrugged. “I’m really craving ice cream right now, and when I want ice cream...”
    “Understood.” Max led the way, grabbing a towel on the way there. He wrapped it around his waist, making him look like that was all he was wearing.
    Sam was languishing in the hot tub, still smoking his cigar. “Fellow countrymen, lend me your ears.”
    I waited, tying on my sarong like a strapless dress. “Were you going to say something?” I asked after a few silent moments had passed.
    Sam shook his head.
    “We’re going to get some ice cream shakes,” Max said, then looked at me.
    “Do you want to come?” I asked, mentally crossing my fingers that I would get the right answer, even though I wasn’t quite sure what that was.
    Sam placed two of his fingers against his mouth and looked up at the night sky. “I think I’ll pass.”
    “Oh, are you sure?” I hoped I wasn’t pushing it, but I didn’t want Max thinking I gave up too easily.
    Sam gave us both a wide smile. “It’s such a lovely night. The darkness illuminates my lost thoughts.”
    “Great. I’m happy for you.”
    Max quickly pulled a t-shirt over his head. “See you tomorrow, Sam.”
    I slipped on my sandals. “Bye.”
    Sam nodded and inserted his cigar back into his mouth. At the other end of the Jacuzzi, I could see his large toes peeking out of the water.
    We started to walk away and I tamped down any thought that suggested I was doing the wrong thing. I’d see Sam tomorrow, so there was plenty of time to execute my plan. There was only so much of him I could take in one day.
    “Have fun, kids,” Sam suddenly said from behind us, his words loud, even though they were garbled by the cigar in the corner of his mouth. “Don’t forget to use a condom!”

Chapter Nine
    S AM ’ S EMBARRASSING WORDS put a damper on the rest of the evening, putting ideas in my head that hadn’t existed before‌—‌I swear! After not being unable to meet each other’s eyes for a whole ten minutes, Max and I decided to forego the shakes. It was just as well, because before I left, Max asked me to spend the next day with Sam and himself in St. Thomas.
    I got out of bed early and immediately hopped into the shower. I wasn’t going to be late this time, especially after making so much progress the day before. In one short day, Sam’s awareness of me had gone from ‘ get out of my way’ to ‘ nice to see you again .’
    I finished showering and rooted through my bag for a pair of cropped linen pants and a fitted tee. I quickly put them on over a plain black bikini. Then I ran back to the bathroom and dabbed on some concealer. Once blended, I put powder on top, a quick sweep of amber eye shadow on my lids, a few brushes of mascara on my lashes, and a touch of bronzer on my