Cheesy on the Eyes by Teagan Hunter Page 0,36

and what I don’t. I know my limits, know my weaknesses, and am familiar with my flaws. I’ve always owned that and stuck by it.

But when you have someone dump you after four years of dating because you’re too challenging, it makes it hard to believe in yourself and your convictions like you once did.

It’s embarrassing to admit, but I questioned everything about myself when Jaden dumped me.

I doubted even more when I found out he’d sought the comfort of other women because I was too much.

I felt like I did when I was little, before my parents built me up with all the confidence they pumped into us. It felt like when those people would judge me for wearing combat boots with my dresses or carrying around car manuals rather than Barbie dolls.

It felt like I wasn’t enough, even when apparently I was too much.

I pull into the movie theater lot and steer us toward the very back, trying to keep away from assholes who like to dent doors.

Shutting off the engine, I turn toward Sully. He matches my movement.

I study him for the first time this evening. Well…for the first time since he put clothes on.

I had no idea Sully would be just getting out of the shower when I arrived at his boat. He wasn’t answering his phone, and my anxiety was starting to act up because I hate being late. I raced over there as fast as I could and hoped he’d answer.

I’d just stepped into the cabin when he came out of the shower.

I’ll admit, I didn’t alert him to my presence right away; I was too busy admiring him.

When he ran off to get ready, he left his door open just a hair. I had to distract myself with timing him and poking around his boathouse or I was going to do something really stupid like push his door open and run my hands over his taut, smooth skin.

He looks good tonight, but that shouldn’t be a surprise. He always does, somehow making something as simple as a plain t-shirt and jeans look like he’s a fucking cover model.

He’s not one of those guys you stop and stare at. His attractiveness is subtle, yet it’s powerful, and there are so many little details that stick out when you stare at him for too long.

Guilty, party of one.

“Well, this is it—our first foray into the real world as a couple. You nervous?” I ask, pulling my eyes away from those lips I can’t seem to stop staring at.

“Should I be?”

“Well…no. I suppose not.”

“Are you nervous?” he counters.

“A little,” I admit. “I am lying to my entire family.”

“I’m lying to them too.”

“Yeah, but you don’t know them. It doesn’t count.”

He grunts. “Trust me—lying to people you don’t know counts just as much as lying to the ones you love.”

He says it like he has personal experience with someone conning him.

I want to ask questions, but something tells me it’s related to his family, which seems to be off limits.

“Well, you ready?” he asks, adjusting that damn baseball cap, then grabbing the door handle. “If we want time to grab snacks, we better get in there.”

“Just one more thing…” I reach over and snatch the cap from his head, letting his hair fall free for the first time. His thick brows scrunch together. “What? I’ve been dying to see you without this stupid cap on.”

“I didn’t have one on after the shower,” he points out.

“Please. That doesn’t count. Wet hair looks nothing like dry hair. Also, you were only wearing a towel—do you really think I was paying attention to anything but that?”

That smirk I’m growing to love returns. “And now that you’re finally paying attention?”

His hair is between my fingers before I can think twice about it. I pinch and rub it between the pads. It’s so soft. I want to run my fingers through it all.

“I knew you had curls,” I murmur. They’re boyish, but somehow it works for him.

He swallows audibly and speaks softly. “I don’t usually. This is longer than I typically keep it.”

“I like it. It suits you. You have that surfer boy vibe to you.”

He laughs. “I guess that’s fitting, given it’s my favorite pastime.”

“You surf?”

“Almost every morning. Do you?”

I shake my head. “No. I’ve always wanted to learn, but that whole fear-of-the-ocean thing stops me.”

“I’ll teach you,” he offers. “Come with me sometime.”

“Okay.”

The word slips out with no effort at all, no hesitation. For some reason, being out on the