Things were different today.

After the whole anxiety/panic attack thing that happened on the jet ski yesterday with Nathan, something changed. At least I was still convinced that anything beyond friendship with him was a mistake and couldn't happen. Without a doubt I knew that to be true. But he was there for me during that whole ordeal.

Ever since my mom's cousin passed away in a boating accident six years ago, I've developed a fear of getting stranded out on the water. I worried about not being able to get help and, even if it was silly, sharks. I didn't broadcast my phobia often. Not after freshmen year when I joined Lanie and Harper on Taylor Linz boat for a party and we did get stranded.

At the time, I freaked out. I hyperventilated and a lot of people on the boat laughed at me. Turned out the driver lost the damn keys when we came to a stop. Took three hours to find them in the damn trash can.

But swimming was different. I loved swimming in the ocean, and since I was close to the shore I could just walk out. I still felt so embarrassed with how I acted yesterday, but Nathan helped me feel better.

"I got you, Karma."

The kindness he showed me yesterday chipped away a little at the armor I was used to keeping up around him. Was it dangerous to give him that little piece of me? Yes, it was. But I couldn't ignore what he did for me. Especially since he was the only one who knew what I was dealing with-even if he didn't know all the details.

"Is this area good?" Harper asked when we walked out onto the sand.

Lanie wasn't feeling well today and decided to stay in bed. That time of the month probably.

I shielded my eyes and looked around the beach. "Looks good to me."

When Nathan came to my room this morning to ask if I minded him joining Harper and I down at the beach, I was surprised when the answer came so easily. Truth was, I wanted him here today. I didn't tell him that, though. If I was right, Nathan was still hellbent on chasing me until I became the next Happy Meal. I could not give him any ammo for that.

Nathan took two ends of the large blanket from Harper and they spread it out over the sand. Grabbing my tote bag, I helped them pin down the four corners so it wouldn't blow away. We learned that lesson the hard way a few years ago.

"Want anything from the cooler, Karma?"

"No thanks, Harp. But I will take the new issue of Cosmo if you're done with it."

While Harper dug through her tote bag for the magazine, Nathan laid on his back on the blanket, stretching out before crossing his fingers behind his head. With the security of my sunglasses, and the fact that his eyes were closed, I snuck a peak at his broad chest and six pack abs.

Damn. I've seen him without a shirt so many times, but I've never seen him. Not until this damn vacation.

Stop drooling, Karma.

Even though his eyes were still closed, a corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile. "Need something, Karma?"

Oh, shit. My cheeks heated instantly. "Huh? No! I'm good."

In an attempt to think about anything else, I grabbed a towel and folded it before dropping it on the blanket. Harper handed me the new Cosmo and I laid on my stomach. Using the towel as a pillow, I opened the magazine to read it.

Harper was still putting on her sunscreen, so it was just Nathan and I on the blanket. I was finally smart enough to put some on my body in my room before we came down here. It wasn't that I minded teasing Nathan, but if I wanted to be clear that were were strictly friends, then I needed to not tease him like that.

"Man, it's hot as hell today," Harper whined.

Nathan chuckled beside me. "That's the Florida summer for you. It's the same thing every year."

"I know. I just wish it wasn't so...hot."

As the two of them went on and on about the lack of real seasons and snow in Florida, I flipped through the pages of the Cosmo. I tried to focus on the content and not on the boy next to me, but it was nearly impossible.

Come on, Karma. You should be reading about the best way to do smoky eye shadow, not the sound of Nathan's voice.

I flipped another page and praised myself on the nonchalant appearance I seemed to be pulling off. Maybe I was getting better at this whole not showing any interest in Nathan thing. I just needed to keep it up.

"So you prefer this heat over the beautiful winters we get back home?" Harper asked him. "That's ridiculous!"

Nathan gave an amused snort. "First, I don't prefer this heat. The humidity here sucks. And second, our winters suck. You are out of your mind if you believe different."

"Hey, guys," a familiar voice said suddenly.

Shit. It was that guy who kept hitting on me. What was his name again?

"Hey," Harper said to him and his friend. "What's up with you guys?"

Harper's crush, Jake, smiled at her. "Not much. We might play some football. Wanted to see if you ladies were interested."

The boy who liked me waved a hello in my direction. I returned it awkwardly, trying desperately not to look back at Nathan. After the whole volleyball to the head incident, I didn't want to start anything.

"Football sounds fun," Harper gushed. "I would love to play. Nathan? Karma? You guys coming?"

Harper looked at me like I would be an idiot if I didn't go. Then there was you know who. His eyes were practically begging me to come along.

"I'm actually gonna work on my tan today if that's cool."

With a frown, Harper glanced to Nathan. "What about you?"

"I'm good," he replied curtly.

When I chanced a glance to the boy I just rejected, he had a quizzical look on his face. His eyes darted from me to Nathan and back again.

He suspected. I knew he did. That whole volleyball thing plus this interaction...he knew there was something going on between Nathan and me.

Even though there wasn't.

"Well, I'm in," Harper shrugged. "Let's go!"

The three of them wandered off to play football and I exhaled a relieved sigh. I honestly wasn't interested in that guy. I didn't even find him attractive.

"He's not your type."

My stomach tightened and I looked back at the magazine. "How would you know my type?"

I realized the mistake I made as soon as the words left my mouth. But there was no going back. The bait was on the hook, the line was cast, and now I had no choice but to wait for a bite.

"You think you know what I'm going to say, don't you?"

Flipping another page I murmured, "Nathan we had an agreement."

"Answer my question."

With a huff I replied, "You're going to say that you're my type, aren't you?"

"No, actually, that wasn't what I was going to say." Rolling on to his side, Nathan rested his head in his hand and faced me. "Your type is someone who can make you laugh. Someone who knows the little things about you. Like the fact that you scarf down Rocky Road ice cream when you're stressed." Reaching up, he removed my sunglasses so he could see my eyes. "I know exactly what your type is, gorgeous. Your type is someone that makes your eyes light up with desire when they dance with you. Someone who makes you feel better when you get scared. Someone who makes you question everything."

Danger. Danger. I could feel it again. Little bits were being chipped away from the Great Wall of Nathan that was protecting my heart.

"You can't say stuff like that to me," I said softly.

"Why not?"

"You know why not."

A corner of his mouth lifted in a charming smile. "You're different today."

That caught me off guard. "What do you mean?"

"With me. You're different. Don't get me wrong, you still have the Do Not Hit On Me sign stapled to your forehead, but you're...different today." His smile disappeared and his brows drew together. "Karma, you know you don't owe me anything for yesterday, right?"

Averting my eyes I whispered, "I feel like I do."

"You don't owe me a thing. I promise."

The sincerity in his words had me putting the magazine down and lifting my gaze back to his. "You know I'm not your type. It's obvious. Besides, it's breaking all sorts of rules and girl codes." I shook my head before asking quietly, "Why do you keep chasing me, Nathan?"

His eyes held mine for several seconds. "Haven't you broken a rule before, gorgeous?"

"Not once."

My breath caught when he reached out and stroked my cheek. "You should try it sometime. You wanna know why I'm chasing you, Karma?"

Against my will I nodded.

"Because you're worth being caught."