“I don’t know. Nice guy who likes to bake.”
“Yeah, right.” Erika took a sip of beer and wondered what all made this man tick.
“Is that why you thought I looked like a jock in high school?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe.” She gave him a devilish grin. “Most of the jocks I knew back then haven’t stayed in your kind of shape, though.”
Slade straightened in his chair and took a swig of his beer. “You’re saying I’m in good shape?”
“Extremely good shape.”
“Surprised you noticed.” He smirked and took another sip.
“I’m not blind. I can see that you’re good looking, have a good body and all that.” Erika smiled and glanced at the tables around them. The truth was that she’d been admiring Slade’s body the moment she saw him. He wasn’t overly bulky, but she could see his lean muscles under his shirts, and it was intriguing. “But I’m old enough to know that’s not what’s important in life.”
“Me too.” He drew a breath. “But I like the way it makes me feel.”
She nodded. “Fair enough. Although you could just be using padding under your clothes. Like a man’s version of Spanx.”
Slade started laughing. “Never dull. But it’s not manx.”
“Oh, that’s clever.” She pointed at him and winked. “I see what you did there.”
“You’re really fun.” He took another bite of the pretzel.
“I’m just easily amused,” she assured him.
“I’m not sure if that bodes well for me or not.”
“Remains to be seen.” She chuckled and finished off her beer.
“Would you like another?”
“Only if you drive.”
“I can handle that.”
“Nice of you to cut yourself off so I can indulge.”
“I’m just enjoying spending time with you, to be honest.” His smile looked so earnest, and Erika somehow knew this friendship would last longer than the weekend.
“Me too.” Erika sat back and watched Slade wander off to the hut to order another beer for her.
When he returned, she took a sip and polished off her pretzel. “You know what’s cool about running into you?”
“Besides my rugged good looks?”
“Don’t pat yourself on the back too much, Slade. I’m a bartender. I see hot men on the daily.”
“Oh. I see how it is. Competition.”
She giggled. “No competition. Remember? I’m not into relationships.”
“But friendships?” he asked.
“Those I can handle. In fact, I’m an amazing friend.”
“I don’t doubt it.” He let out a deep breath and watched her as she took in the sunshine and beer.
“Staying another day? If you are, I have tomorrow off too.”
“Well, I am now.” He smiled. “You’re a lot of fun to hang out with.”
“I do have my moments,” she happily agreed.
“Did you find out any dirt on me during your snoop?” Slade teased.
“Besides the hot group of women ogling over you?” She shook her head. “That was about as far as I got. I really do think Penny is gorgeous.”
“On the outside.” Slade shrugged. “But I don’t know what she’s like on the inside. So far, it’s not looking good.”
“Yeah. It’s not looking great,” Erika agreed.
“I could give you some pointers for dating, if you want.”
He almost spat out the last of his pretzel. “Who said I wanted to date?”
“Well, you fell for Penny’s ploys so . . .” Erika playfully scowled. “That would lead me to believe you’re not averse to dating.”
He laughed. “Okay, let me have it.”
Erika smiled. “Maybe the first rule is to stay away from past relationships. Do you have a lot of those?”
“Probably more than I should.”
Erika grinned. “And I’m the exact opposite.”
“Tell me again why I should come to you for advice?”
“Because I’m so good at seeing relationship pitfalls that I don’t even have to bother getting into the relationship.” She wiggled her brows. “How’s that for special?”
Slade slowly shook his head, and his eyes stayed on hers. A thrill ran through her, but she shook it off.
“Really special.”
Chapter Eight
Slade couldn’t get Erika out of his mind all night. She was completely adorable and completely unavailable. It was as clear as day that she only had room for one man in her life, and that was her son. He liked that about her too. There was no guessing with her. They would remain in the friend zone, and frankly, he’d rather have her as a friend than not at all.
He’d driven her home the afternoon before because while she’d only had two beers, they were two big beers, and he felt better about doing that. Drew happened to be dropping Scott off at the house, so Drew drove him back to the resort.
Now, he was standing outside