Just Beachy by Kate Angell

Author:Kate Angell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kate Angell

CHAPTER FIVE

Hudson’s inquiry seemed to echo off the dining room walls. How well do you know each other? Caught the players’ attention. They stopped and stared at Allie and Max. Feeling those looks, Allie raised an eyebrow. “What’s with the interrogation, Perry Mason?”

Her turnabout drew chuckles from the men.

“Inquiring mind,” Hud said. “It appears you know each other.”

“Whatever gave you that idea?”

“You touched his shoulder like a lover.”

“You have quite an imagination.” Allie eased around Max to grip Hudson’s own shoulder. She pinched him hard. “I’m touching you now.”

Hudson winced. “Max got affection. I’m getting anger.” He rubbed his shoulder. “No disrespect. I felt a vibe between you.”

“A vibe?”

“Familiarity.”

“I served him ice cream. Nothing more.”

“When someone says there’s nothing more, there’s always more.”

“Where are you going with this?” Brogan spoke up. “Cut to the chase, Hud.”

“Mere speculation.”

“No confession, Perry Mason. Move on.” Allie pinched him a second time. For good measure.

“You have bitchy fingers,” Hudson complained. “I bruise easily.”

Which was hard to believe. He was tough as nails. His muscles had muscles.

Allie glared at him. He was scary to some, but he didn’t faze her in the least. He was all assumption and annoyance. There were so many topics of conversation available to him - the weather, baseball, the mansion, bragging on himself – yet he’d taken her innocent touch to Max’s shoulder and made it an issue. She was positive he had a hidden agenda.

Hudson wouldn’t let up. “I read people. I can’t believe I’ve misjudged you two. I’d have sworn you had a history and were tight.”

Where was his mute button?

Max made his presence known. His tone was low, even, disapproving. “With all due respect, while I’m new to your team table, I don’t like being discussed. I doubt Allie appreciates it either.”

“I don’t,” Allie inserted.

“Pump the brakes, Hudson,” Max enforced. “Your comments are invalid. We recently became acquainted during Rogues’ Fest. She needed a partner in the canoe race and so did I.”

Half-truths, but good enough as far as Allie was concerned. Max overlooked the fact she’d been a desperate woman. And that she’d hustled him on the boardwalk.

He edited his account of the competition. “During the race we saved a dog, towed another canoe, and came in second to last. The dog’s owner was appreciative. She bought all stadium tickets for the first pre-season game. That’s it.”

Praise came from the players. “Way to go, guy.”

“Great on the water rescue.”

“Awesome to play to a packed park.”

Everyone seemed satisfied. All but Hud. “I saw the online photo of the finish. That guy was you? No resemblance, dude.”

“I wanted time to myself and dressed down while in town,” said Max. “Allie protected my identity.”

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