“Summer!”

I stagger as Maddison throws herself into my arms. “Hey, you made it.”

Maddison releases me from her Kung Fu grip and steps back. “Oh my God, look at you. You look great.”

I shrug. “I’m hanging in there.”

“No, really! You’re super tan and sun-kissed.”

“You should see me in a bathing suit. I’m rocking a pretty sexy farmer’s tan.”

“And these arms…” She stops and sucks in her breath. “Damn, girl! Do you actually have arm muscles now?”

“They’re called biceps, and you bet. They’ve really come in handy this summer, too. I could barely throw a line when I started and now I can do it in my sleep.”

Maddison shakes her head in wonder. “So Portland’s been good to you.”

“I guess it has. Except for the tiny little fact that I never thought I’d be on a giant boat fishing for lobsters.”

“I bet,” Maddison says solemnly. “Now tell me more about this Koa guy.”

I sigh and scoop her bag off the platform. “Didn’t take you very long.”

“What? Is it a crime to be interested in my best friend’s love life?”

“Let’s get one thing straight—he’s not your friend’s love life, he’s your friend’s boss.”

Maddie waves her hand. “Semantics. So, will I get to meet him?”

“Nope!” I’m suddenly even more grateful that I have the weekend off. “He’s got top secret things to do, and I’m hanging out with you all weekend.”

“Top secret?”

I step around a two-year-old on the brink of a meltdown and head for the main entrance. “It was the strangest thing. He wouldn’t give any details about his plans when we went out for drinks.”

Maddison gasps, stops in her tracks, and stares at me. “Drinks? What happened?”

“Nothing,” I say, tugging her forward. “Nothing at all. Oh, I guess Koa scared off this sleaze ball that hit on me.”

“How romantic,” Maddison says wistfully.

I roll my eyes. “It wasn’t at—” I pause as I catch sight of a familiar face.

It couldn’t be…

“What’s up?” Maddison asks as I slow to a stop. She follows my stunned gaze into the crowd. “See someone?”

I nod mutely.

“Who?”

“My boss,” I say, pointing to the tall, broad frame of none other than Captain Koa Rendell. He sticks out like a sore thumb in this touristy crowd. “What the hell is he doing here?”

Maddison twists her head as she tries to follow my finger. “Where? Which one?”

“Which one?” I turn to her. “The guy that looks like he belongs on a boat, not on a J.Crew cover.

“Oh my God…” Maddison’s voice fades as her eyes land on Koa. She raises her eyebrows and gives a low whistle. “Why don’t you introduce me?”

“Don’t get any ideas.”

But I’m too late.

“KOA!” Maddison’s voice echoes throughout the bustling station. I pull her back as she erupts into giggles.

“Why did you do that?” I hiss.

“I want to talk to him!”

“Did it cross your mind that I don’t want to talk to him?”

“Hey, Summer.”

The gravelly, low voice hits me straight in the gut. I force myself to turn around and look up, getting an eyeful of the exasperating face of my boss. I remind myself to kill Maddie once we’re alone.

“Sorry about that,” I say, glaring at my friend. “It wasn’t me.”

“It was me!” Maddison steps forward and holds out her hand. “I’m Maddison, Summer’s roomie. But please, call me Maddie.”

Koa takes her hand and gives her a small smile. “Koa, Summer’s boss.”

I cringe at the reminder.

“Nice to meet you,” Maddison says brightly.

Koa’s eyes flick between her and my face. “Nice to meet you, too.”

Alright. Time to break up the happy introduction. “What are you doing here?” I demand.

Koa’s face pales a little. “Picking up my friend. He’s staying the weekend.”

“What?”

“My friend, he’s—”

“Oh, I heard you. Why didn’t you say something last night?”

Koa drags his hand over his hair. “Yeah…maybe I should’ve.”

“Sure, because you know, I mentioned that my friend was coming up.”

Maddison lays a hand on my arm. “I’m sure it was last minute, Summer.”

I stare at Koa. “Was it?”

He turns even paler. “Actually he called me last week.”

“Of course he did.” I turn to my friend. “I’m ready if you are.”

“Uh, okay…”

I grab her bag and sling it over my shoulder, not giving my withholding boss another glance. I get three steps away when I notice Maddison’s not following. “Maddie?”

She throws me an apologetic look and turns to Koa. “What are you doing later? I’d love to hear more about what you and Summer are—OOF!”

I grab my soon-to-be ex best friend’s arm and drag her away. “Let’s go.”

“Nice to meet you!” she yells over her shoulder before we’re engulfed by the crowd. I don’t let her go until we’re almost to the doors.

“Are you crazy?”

Maddison pushes her hair out of her eyes and shrugs. “Sometimes.”

“No, I mean what were you thinking back there? Were you about to invite the guy that’s driving me INSANE to dinner?”

“Yes…”

“Why!?”

“Because I think you two could be something!”

“You’re joking.”

“I’m most definitely not,” she bites back. “You need to lighten up, go out on a limb, be risky.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “That’s a little hypocritical coming from you.”

I regret the words as soon as they’re out of my mouth.

“I’m sorry,” I cry as Maddison turns bright red. “I wasn’t thinking. That was a terrible thing to say. I didn’t mean it!”

“No, you’re right,” she says in a small voice. “I haven’t put myself out there in years.” She meets my eyes. “Which is why I’m not going to let you make the same mistake.”

I pull her into my arms. “I won’t, don’t worry. Just not with Koa, please. The man has nothing to offer me except a stomach ulcer.”

Maddison steps back and laughs. “If you say so. But I still think if you gave him another chance…”

“Nope. I tried that last night. I extended an olive branch, and what did Koa do? He left me at the bar with some high-minded opinions and a lot of awkwardness.”

Maddison cringes. “Yikes.”

“Yup, which is why I’m not wasting a moment of this weekend on someone as moody as Koa Rendell.” I link arms with her and lead us out the doors toward the parking lot. “Now, let me tell you every titillating detail there is to know about lobster fishing…”

* * *

My first thought as Summer and her friend disappear into the crowd is, “Well, I really screwed that up.” And the second is, “Why do I care?”

But as the minutes tick by and I replay the humiliating conversation in my mind, I realize I do care. I’ve been caught, fair and square, in my lie of omission. Why hadn’t I just told Summer about my plans for this weekend? It’s not like she was nosy or prying. We spend every day on a boat together, so why shouldn’t we become friendly?

Habit, plain and simple. Not getting close to people is a hard habit to break.

Two thick arms wrap around my neck and squeeze, putting me in a chokehold. “Long time no see, Rendell!” a deep voice booms behind me.

“Bryce! Christ—” I land a well-placed elbow into his side and twist out of his grasp.

Bryce grunts and rubs his side. “Damn. Still got it in you, I see.”

I grin back at him as I rub my neck. “Not so shabby yourself, Hill.”

Not shabby is a gross understatement when it comes to my closest friend, Bryce Hill, ex-Navy SEAL turned “bodyguard for the stars.” At six foot four and two hundred and sixty pounds, the man towers over everyone. Me included. I’m built and keep in shape, but Bryce is put together like a linebacker.

Bryce narrows his chocolate-brown eyes. “What were you thinking about when I walked up? I normally can’t sneak up on you like that.”

“Nothing.”

“Liar.”

I shrug. “I ran into Summer, that’s all.”

“You did?”

“She was here picking up some friend.” I watch as Bryce jerks his head around and scans the crowd. “Uh, what are you doing?”

“I told you. I want to meet this chick.”

“Why? She’s just some girl.”

Bryce meets my gaze. “Some girl?”

I scowl. “It’s not like that.”

“Sure it isn’t…”

“Dude, lay off.”

“Come on, man. I know something’s up. I’m not an idiot.”

“Sure about that?”

Bryce grins and feigns a punch at my chest. I step aside gracefully, letting the blow only graze my shoulder. Unfortunately, Bryce’s fist is still the size of a dinner plate, and it almost clips a little old lady walking behind me.

“Sorry, ma’am!” he cries, steadying the poor woman as she struggles to regain her balance.

She throws up her arm and brings her gigantic purse down on Bryce’s hand. “Help! Help!”

“No—ow! Ma’am, please—ow! Wait!”

I laugh as Bryce cowers under her blows. I’ve seen Bryce stand up to a horde of insurgents, but apparently it only takes one old lady to scare the man into submission. The woman lands a few more blows before deciding Bryce has learned his lesson. She reholsters her bag, draws herself to her full five-foot height, and shuffles off toward the train idling at the platform.

“What the hell?” Bryce asks. He’s white as a sheet.

“Um, welcome to Portland?”

“I guess…” Bryce shakes his sandy blond hair. “Thanks for stepping in, man.”

“What? There’s no way I was getting in the middle of that.”

“Clearly,” he mutters, picking up his bag and looking around for the exit. “Wanna get out of here before I’m attacked by a convoy of toddlers?”

I laugh and grab his bag out of his hand. “What do you want to do first?”

“Food, then I want to see this boat of yours.”

“Can do,” I say, heading for the doors. “I’m surprised to see you, man. I thought you had your hands full in Nashville with Autumn. She’s a singer, right?”

Bryce lets out a heavy breath. “That singer is on a yacht in the Caribbean with her new asshole boyfriend, so I have some time on my hands.”

“Asshole boyfriend? Tough.”

“Yeah. It is. I definitely needed a break.”

I don’t mention that most people take vacations to get away from their demanding jobs, not their best friend’s asshole boyfriends. But then again, most people don't consider “fun” diving into the frigid waters of the Barents Sea at 2am to covertly siege a small Russian outpost to extricate a group of American journalists. Bryce Hill did. In fact, he probably found being a country singer's professional bodyguard a leisurely stroll in the park after his last profession.

“Why did you take the job, then?”

Bryce shrugs. “She needed me.”

“Got it.” And I did. Autumn and Bryce go way back, back before I ever met him, and I know that when someone he loves needs him, he’ll move mountains to help.

“Also,” Bryce says slowly, “I figured if I’m going to waste time, why not waste it with a deadbeat like Rendell?”

I punch him in the arm. Bryce clutches his bicep and scowls. “Been working out?”

“Fishing isn’t a desk job.”

He drags his eyes over my frame and raises his eyebrows. “It’s paying off.”

“Thanks. I guess.” I toss his bag in the back of my truck, unlock the doors, and hop in. “First lunch, then my fleet, and in return I want to hear about this problem in Nashville.”

“Deal, but only if I hear about your problem in Portland.”

I roll my eyes and start the engine. “Deal.”

“Awesome.”

“You know, you’re more energetic than usual.”

“What’s that mean?”

I shrug. “Nothing. Just that you’re usually more serious. Tense. On edge.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not on the clock here, am I?” His shoulders tense and relax as he lets out a long sigh. “Plus I’ve been biting my tongue for too long with Autumn. It’s good to blow off some steam.”

I nod and pull out of the parking lot, mulling that over in my mind.

“But first—” Bryce throws on some aviators and rolls down the window “—a couple of lobster rolls and a fresh pint are calling my name.”