Unexpected

Chapter 2

JOANNA

Staring into the mirror, I can't help but frown at what I see. My hair is sticking out in all directions, my makeup is smeared across my face, and my clothes are clinging to me from the dampness. I had envisioned a very different first day for this retreat thing, and rushing to look somehow human again while freaking Gabriel Morales is waiting for me was not part of my plans.

Growing up on the same street, we've known each other since we were kids. His sister and I went from kindergarten to college together. We're basically sisters. We're family. Her parents are amazing and have always treated me like a daughter, but him...

I don't even remember when this ridiculous crush started. It has just always been there, no matter how much I've tried to ignore it. He's three years older than me, and by the time I finally realized boys were not gross, he was already breaking girls' hearts and making sure he only ever saw me as his little sister's best friend.

Argh! Why am I even remembering all these things? Letting out a deep sigh, I take off my wet clothes and put on a fresh pair of jeans and a clean tank top. I need to focus here.

Gabe and I haven't seen each other in years, for heaven's sake.

I don't know why I'm so worked up.

I'm freaking over this stupid crush. Damn it!

I came here to write and for a change of scenery. Not to be drooling over Gabe.

After taking my time washing my face and carefully pulling my hair up into a cute pineapple ponytail, I can no longer hide away in the bathroom. I have to face him.

Drawing in a deep, reassuring breath, I head toward the living room. I can still taste the sweetness of their mom's homemade lemonade, as I recall all the summer breaks I spent in this house. I'm familiar with every corner of this place, and it brings me a sense of comfort.

The house provides a cozy, homey feeling while also being spacious and accommodating. The living room is enormous, with plenty of sunlight streaming through the windows. The kitchen is equipped with modern amenities. Besides the three rooms and a master bedroom, the house boasts a large swimming pool in the backyard. This place is perfect, with everything I need to forget about the world for a while.

Well, everything I need if you don't count the tanned, shirtless Adonis smiling at me as I join him in the living room.

"Hey," I say. "Still not a fan of wearing a shirt, I see?"

"You were never offended before." He keeps the smile on his face, but I see a trace of red washing over his cheeks.

"And you're still really full of yourself, huh?" I narrow my eyes, but can't keep the humor out of my voice.

He's still one of the hottest men I know, with his light blue eyes and full lips. His golden brown hair is longer and tousled in that sexy just-rolled-out-of-bed way. His skin is deliciously sun-kissed and his jaw is coated with a day-old stubble. It's been a while since I last saw him, but he's still able to make my heart race like no other man.

Now if you pair all that with a confident personality and a body of a Greek God, you'll get why I've been crushing on him since I was too young to be crushing on boys.

Being three years older and the brother of my best friend, he's always been off-limits. Maria always got weirded out when our friends started ogling and crushing on him, so I always hid my feelings. It doesn't mean I didn't want him all to myself back then. Even though he never saw me as more than his little sister's best friend.

But now you're twenty-five and he's twenty-eight. You're not kids anymore. My subconscious reminds me, making me swallow.

Damn it! I didn't come here for this. I'm better off celibate and single.