Summer's Temptation by Ashley Lynn Willis Page A

love, and I don’t plan to start now. Besides, what would people say about me if they knew I had a fuck buddy?
    “Everyone will think I’m a whore, and I’ll get emotionally attached,” I blurt. By saying that aloud, I realize I’m considering the finer details of a fuck buddy, and that’s one step closer to actually getting one.
    Liz looks as surprised as I feel. “Um… well… you just have to find someone who’ll be discreet.” She erases Peter Long Dong’s name. “And he’ll have to be someone you’d never consider having a real relationship with, someone you’re not interested in except for sex.” She erases Greg too, because she knows I go for the politician type, and Greg’s on the Greek Council with my ex, Wyatt.
    Hannah’s forehead crinkles the way it always does when she’s worried. “I think we need to stop this. Like now.”
    I can tell Liz and Emma want to protest, but they’re interrupted by a knock on the door.
    “Who is it?” Liz yells.
    “The studs next door,” Dylan answers.
    “Come in,” she yells even louder.
    I grab for the dry-erase board, planning to wipe it clean with my shirt if I have to, but Liz yanks it out of my reach. She turns it facing her so the boys can’t see the list.
    The door opens, and Josh walks in wearing soccer pants and a sweaty T-shirt. His gaze fans across the room before resting on me. He smiles. “Hi, Cassie.”
    “Hi,” I say, but I don’t smile back. I don’t want to give him any ideas in case he really does have a crush on me.
    When Tyler walks in, I feel as if the breath has been knocked from my lungs by a baseball bat. He’s shirtless, wearing gray jersey shorts, and carrying a basketball. He’s got a T-shirt draped over one shoulder, and I’m hoping he doesn’t put it on anytime soon. I’d like to enjoy the view of his lean muscles for as long as possible.
    While I’m admiring the black tattoos on his arms—a cross on one thick bicep and tribal art on the other—Liz writes another name on the board. She holds it at an angle only I can see. She’s written Tyler’s name with a big smiley face . I panic but mange to stay in control, slowly reaching for the board so the boys don’t notice. If I draw attention to it and one of them sees the names, I’ll never survive their torments. Liz pulls it back and swipes it clean with a wine-soaked paper towel. Thank God. I let out a long sigh of relief.
    Dylan walks in last, dressed like Josh and just as sweaty. He’s half Irish, half Native American, and the combination’s exotic. He has dark skin, brown eyes, and the muscular physique of a boxer. “What’s up, ladies? We just got back from the courts, and I’ve come to see my woman.”
    Hannah’s face lights up like a football stadium on game night. “Hi, baby.”
    Liz crinkles her nose. “Shouldn’t you have showered first?”
    “Naw. My girl likes me sweaty.”
    “Eww. Liz’s right,” Hannah says. “Go shower and come back.”
    “I’ve only got twenty minutes before we meet the guys at Billy Bob’s.”
    “Rangers playing tonight?” Liz asks.
    He nods, and Hannah stands so Dylan can take her spot, then she makes herself comfortable in his lap. Josh perches on the arm of the couch next to me. He’s so huge, I’m afraid the frame will collapse. Tyler sits on the loveseat next to Emma and sprawls his arms across the top of the couch as if he owns the place. He smiles at her, and the poor girl turns the color of an overripe beet.
    When he gets his fill of Emma, his gaze goes to the TV. “Nice place to pause.” On the screen is a still-picture of Blake Lively bending over and flashing a whole lot of cleavage.
    “She’s the perfect girl,” Liz mutters. “Right?”
    “Nah. I like brunettes,” Josh says.
    I can feel him staring at me. I do my best not to inch away.
    “She’s hot,” Dylan says, “but not as pretty as my girl.” He brushes Hannah’s hair aside and kisses her behind the ear.
    She giggles, leaning