Was he ever. But he didn’t think she wanted to know about his feelings yet. He shrugged. “What do you want to know?”
That made her smile. “When can we do the full resort tour and shoot?”
“Today.”
“Really?” she asked, sitting up and folding her hands in front of her.
He nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah. Today works. You’ve got fittings today, right?”
She rolled her eyes. “Ugh, yes. You do too, I think.”
He winced. “Touché. But it’s not tuxes, just suits. So that’s nice.”
“You don’t like tuxes?”
He mock-shuddered. “Hate them. It’s why I hate black-tie affairs and only go if I have to.”
She grinned and rubbed the back of her neck. “Well, hurrah for no tuxes, then. I hate taking pictures of crabby people.”
He gave her a look. “I would not be crabby on Tom’s wedding day.”
She raised a daring brow. “If you were in a tux and partnered with Sophie?”
That made him wince again, with great dramatics, and she giggled. “Thankfully, we will never have to know,” he replied, shaking his head. “I’m in a suit and paired with Caroline. I think, except for Tom, I win.”
Mal nodded, grinning. “I think you do.” She wrinkled up her nose and looked at the approaching shore. “Do I have to go back to the Hen House? It’s not only dress fittings; its makeup tests too. Why do they need pictures of that?”
Hunter laughed and slowed the boat as he neared the dock. “Why do they need any of this? You could always pretend to take pictures…”
“Now there’s an idea,” she mused, pulling at her lip thoughtfully.
He shook his head and docked the boat carefully. “Well, you just text me if you need saving. I’ll come up with something.” He hopped out and tied the boat.
Mal stood up and gave him a calculating look. “I don’t have your number,” she said carefully.
He took his time to look at her, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “No worries. I have yours.”
An open smile formed, and she looked like she wanted to laugh. “How’d you do that?”
“Your contract, remember?” He shrugged. “I have connections.”
“That’s for business,” she reminded him, grinning.
“Exactly,” he said simply, holding her gaze.
Her smile faded. “What are you doing, Hunter?” she asked in a soft voice.
He took her hands and helped her out of the boat, then still held them as they stood there on the docks, keeping her eyes on his. “I don’t know why,” he responded quietly, “but I can’t seem to leave you alone.”
“Oh,” she murmured, swallowing once. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he told her. “I’m actually enjoying it.”
Mal tried for a smile as she peered up at him. “Being my babysitter?”
Hunter wasn’t going to let her play this off. He shook his head slowly and reached up to push a strand of hair behind her ear. “Being with you. It’s an adventure. It’s entertaining. And I really don’t feel like doing anything else.”
Her green eyes widened, and her lips parted. “Oh…” she finally whispered.