Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
The table for eight has been transformed into a buffet of snacks, and a full bar is set up at the far end. “You’ve gone to too much trouble, Amanda.”
“No trouble. I love having all of you here.” Patting my back, she says, “Go on in. I want to check on a few last-minute details.”
“I’m starved,” I say, joining Marlow at the buffet. We round the table filling our plates, and at the end, she offers me a glass of white wine, then she goes outside on the back deck to join the others.
My hand clashes with another just as I reach over for the last frosted sugar cookie. My eyes dart to the culprit. Those golden centers still shine without the sun when Rad sports a playful grin. “I don’t think so, Welly.” We’re both quick to grab for the cookie, but I win and take a victory bite. “I’m sure the snickerdoodles are just as delicious.”
He growls. “You’re lucky you’re cute, Bell.” He snatches a snickerdoodle, tearing into it as he walks outside.
With my mouth too full to talk, I stare at the back of him.
Rad Wellington thinks I’m, me—Tealey Bell, is cute.
Feeling giddy inside, I go outside to join the others. I just wish I could stop staring at Rad like we suddenly have a secret.
* * *
“I’m thinking alcohol and swimming in the ocean at night isn’t our best idea.”
Cammie tipsily skips across the lawn. “Probably not, but it sure is fun.”
Jackson, Rad, and Cade are already at the beach because we’re women who took ‘too long to figure out which suit to wear,’ as Jackson put it.
He’s right. It’s not like there’s a beach full of single, hot guys waiting for us.
“What took you so long?” Rad calls to us.
I take that back.
Cammie runs and jumps into Cade’s arms, sending him to his ass under fits of her giggles.
I tighten my sweater around me. The bonfire surrounded by red Adirondack chairs nestled in the sand is a welcoming sight to behold. Next to me, Marlow holds two bottles of champagne.
“I brought reinforcements,” she says, her sleek black suit and sweeper sweater hanging open.
Jackson holds up two bottles of bourbon. “So did I.”
“Great minds.” She smiles at Jackson as she sits next to him.
After tossing another log on the fire, Rad finds me. His smile is set just like his gaze. “Where’s your suit?”
“In Manhattan.” I shrug. “I knew I forgot something.”
Marlow pops the champagne. “I offered her one of mine, but she refused.”
“There was no way in Hades I was going to wear that . . . body floss. Nope, no way. I didn’t want to scare the sharks.”
Rad furrows his brow, giving me a look like I’m crazy. Before I can read too much into it, Marlow shoves a red cup of champagne in my hand, and says, “Maybe you’ll change your mind if we get you drunk, and you can show off that great body of yours.”
“It will take more than a cup of champagne to get me naked.”
“Shots?” Jackson asks, already filling a line of cups.
“I’m good,” I reply, holding up my cup.
He hands Rad and Marlow a glass. “Here’s to spending time with my best friends on a Friday night,” Jackson says, holding his shot in the air. Liquid sloshes out the side. “Time with you is almost as good as a random swipe right.”
“That’s disgusting,” Marlow says right before downing hers.
Settling into the chairs, we sit around the fire, Rad plopping down next to me. The heat of the flames licks the air as we revel in tales of the past. Drinks are poured. And refilled. And topped off again. Laughs are shared and, in the case of Rad and me, too many glances and brushes of our hands when we reach to warm them by the fire are exchanged to be written off as accidental.
Heat builds between us. I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol that’s making me think he’s watching me with an intensity that’s usually reserved for work, or if it’s really happening.
Before I can make sense of it, Cade picks up a squealing Cammie and heads for the water.
Jackson pulls off his shirt and peers down at Marlow. “I’m going in. Wanna come?”
“God no,” she replies, waving him away. “It’s freezing.”
“Then why’d you wear your suit?”
“Because I look damn good in it.”
He laughs. “It will look better wet.”
She cocks an eyebrow. “Whatever you’re thinking, don’t, Jackson.” But she starts laughing, kicking up sand with her feet. “Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?” He shrugs.
Pointing at his face, she says, “Like that.”
“How about a five-second head start?”
“What? No.” She glances at me. “Save me, Tealey.”
“Don’t look at me. This is between the two of you.”
She pleads, “Rad?”
“Nope,” he says, hands in surrender. “But if I were you, I’d start running.”