Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Using the resort’s signature spiced vanilla shower cream, I wash up, then pat myself dry and take a moment to gaze at my naked form in the mirror. I’m not vain, yet I know I’m attractive. Sure, I have a little more meat on my bones than some women, but I love my curves.
And judging from Kellan and Alex’s excitement only moments ago, I suspect I’m a perfect fit for their tastes.
“Damn, I need to make this work,” I tell my reflection. “Alex and Kellan started this, but Oscar had better be there to finish it.”
I dither too long, until a knock at the door jolts me.
“Be there in just a minute!” I call out.
In a rush, I grab a pair of tight blue jeans and a red sweater. It’s warm and comfy, and it's cropped right at my midsection, so it does a fairly good job of showing off my assets. Glancing at myself in the mirror again, I offer a steady smile.
Arm yourself with patience and cunning, girl. You’ve got this.
10
KELLAN
Dressed in well-worn jeans and a high-end hoodie, I pull a soda from the fridge and pop the top. One glance at the balcony pulls me straight back to everything beautiful that happened in that tub. Makayla is turning out to be the best kind of surprise.
Oscar’s interference still irks me, but I’m confident it’ll play out the way it’s meant to. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen, so there’s no point in worrying. I know Oscar better than he knows himself, and if he thinks he’s going to resist her for this entire vacation, he’s just lying to himself.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Alex asks, smoothing a pale blue shirt over his tan slacks.
“You know damn well where my thoughts are right now.”
“Ok, hand me one of those,” he says, pointing to my soda bottle.
I grab one, popping it open out of courtesy and hand it to him.
“Where did Oscar go?” Alex asks.
I shrug, caring less about where he could be right now.
“What are we going to do about him?” Alex asks.
“What do you mean?” I counter. “Oscar’s just being Oscar. He’ll loosen up after a few drinks and once he shakes the work stress. We should’ve kept this trip strictly pleasure; business is bleeding into our personal time.”
“Is that what you think happened?”
I arch a brow. “What? You’re saying you were spot-on back there—that you weren’t just trying to rile him up like you always do?”
“I was absolutely spot on. He’s always had a weakness for Makayla, ever since we were young. It irked him that he wasn’t here with us when we started this.”
“Don’t worry. Judging by how hot and heavy she got, I reckon she’ll sway him into the fold in no time,” I reply with a dry chuckle.
“Hmm.” Alex nods.
“How long do you think lunch with Bryan’s going to take?” Alex asks, swinging a leg over the back of the couch.
“I’m not sure.”
He settles in, feet on the coffee table. I’m too wound up to sit, and despite my let-it-be mentality I’m eager to get lunch over with.
“In the meantime, I think we can focus on making sure this trip turns out perfectly for Bryan,” I add. “He’s about to propose, man. Imagine how nervous he must be.”
Alex snorts and shakes his head. “We got carried away back there, didn’t we? We practically forgot about him and Callie altogether.”
“Turns out his sister has that effect on us. But it’s cool. We’ll handle it. We’ll tackle lunch first and be Bryan’s seamless wingmen.”
“Agreed. Whatever happens with Makayla next,” I say, “we will need to be careful.”
“Do you think he’ll be upset if we get together with her?” Alex asks.
I glance at the two closed doors across the room—one Makayla’s, the other Oscar’s.
“Does it really matter if Bryan cares? We’re not in high school anymore.” I shrug. “She’s an adult; she can make her own decisions.”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to make things hard on her or strain our friendship with him. Starting something with Makayla without Bryan’s blessing could backfire. Eventually we’ll have to step out of the bedroom and face her family,” Alex says. “Right?”
“Of course.” My heart thuds just picturing that day. It’ll come—with her it has to—and the thought scares and exhilarates me in equal measure.
“Maybe we should follow Oscar’s lead on this,” Alex says with a sigh. “Maybe this way no one gets hurt. Not Kay, not Bryan, not any of us, for that matter.”
“I won’t argue, but three of us are already on board—more than on board.”
“Now all we have to do is convince Oscar,” Alex replies with a cool grin.
“I will,” I promise. “As soon as he hauls his ass out here.”
As if on cue, Oscar opens his bedroom door. Out of his suit and tie and looking comfortable in jeans and a knitted sweater, he gives each of us a curious look.