Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
Friday, May 11
The end of the week finally rolls around. Echo texted me yesterday afternoon with the news that she’d finished her last final of college ever. And she got a ninety-four. I congratulated her and offered to take her to dinner at her favorite seafood place to celebrate.
Echo rarely turns down food, and she never says no to Pescada Fresca.
But last night, she did.
Her refusal bugged the shit out of me. It shouldn’t have—it’s entirely likely she was exhausted after a grueling week of tests—but I spent half the night keyed up and agitated, wondering what the hell is up with her.
I’m still vaguely unsettled as I greet Kella and Graham to watch the last of our matriculating friends officially graduate. Unfortunately, Maryam still isn’t over the flu.
The ceremony is a typical commencement—hours of speeches, unfamiliar names, and a sea of single-colored robes— but finally Xavian Costa and Echo Hope walk across the stage and receive their degrees.
We sneak from our seats, get the fuck out of the domed stadium, and meet the others in the parking lot where we share hugs and hearty congratulations. Kella even gets uncharacteristically emotional and sheds tears, so, of course, soft-hearted Echo joins in, her barely glossed lips tremulous as they hug.
Then she makes her way to Graham, pausing to talk. As usual, he says something that makes her laugh.
“Thanks for coming, man.” Xavian sticks his hand out to me.
I shake it. “I wouldn’t have missed it. Congrats! And next month, you’ll start your big-boy job down the hall from me.”
He laughs. “Fuck you.”
We’ve been friends since joining the same Scout troop as gawky ten-year-olds. He spent a lot of nights at my house because his single mom worked multiple jobs to keep a roof over their heads. His shitbag father—whoever he was—ran out before Xavian was even born. We’re almost as close as brothers.
But all I can think right now is that the motherfucker better have taken a giant step back from Echo.
“So…did you tell her?” I ask in low tones.
“That I’ve got to work tonight? Yeah.”
“What did she say?”
“She understood, but she was disappointed.”
That X isn’t going to teach her the mattress tango? Fuck. If she has actual feelings for Xavian, I need to quash those before he hurts her.
Should I remind her that, during their senior year of high school, he bet Graham and me a hundred bucks that he could sleep with the entire varsity cheerleading squad—and that we all had to pay up a month before graduation? As a teenager, I tipped my hat to him because I’d taken the same bet the year before and only made my way through half the team. As an adult, the wager sounds stupid and sophomoric. Cringy. But if Xavian took that bet today—and he probably would—he’d succeed again.
Honestly, he’s not a bad guy. But he’s dead wrong for Echo.
Still, something made her ask the man whore to be her first. What?
“She’ll get over it,” I murmur to him. “A week in Hawaii will distract her.”
Xavian rubs at the back of his neck. “She hinted that we could get to it there.”
No. That isn’t fucking happening. I’ll make that impossible, even if I have to glue myself to her side every moment of every day.
“What did you tell her?”
“I was vague.”
“Find someone to do when we get there, huh?”
“Are you kidding? Hot tourists in bikinis who have had too many mai tais? Hell, yeah. But, um…I got a call from a guy named Sakamoto yesterday. He’s a PI who seems to think I have long-lost relatives on my dad’s side. Apparently, they’re interested in me, so I’m going to spend some of my free time looking into that.”
“Yeah?” His lack of family has always been a sore spot for Xavian, especially since everyone else in our friend group is loaded with parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins… X doesn’t have anyone since his mom died a few years ago. “How do you feel about that?”
“They want a blood test. I guess they’re super rich or something. Whatever. If it turns out we’re related…we’ll see.”
I hope my buddy someday gets the kind of family he’s always wanted. Maybe then he can brush away that chip on his shoulder. And if this distraction keeps him away from Echo while we’re in Hawaii, even better.
From the corner of my eye, I catch Echo pull back from Graham’s brotherly embrace. Then her stare falls on me. It’s so automatic to hold out my arms and for her to fall into them.
Something good settles into my chest as I hug her. “You did it, shortcake.”
She smiles up at me, teary. “I did. I wish Ella and Eryn could be here. My education was only possible because they sacrificed theirs for me.”
“I’m sure they wanted to come. But since we’re leaving tomorrow, you wouldn’t have had much time to spend with them.”
“That’s why we’re planning our great, big sisters’ adventure later this summer.”
I nod. “So do you feel all accomplished now?”
“Mostly.”
But not entirely?
“Hey, I have to get back to work,” Graham says with a wave.
Kella follows him. “Me, too. Sorry. Have a great time in Hawaii! We’ll have a graduation blow-out when you get back. And Maryam should be over the plague by then.”
“Sounds great,” I call.
“See ya!” X waves.
Echo smiles and blows them kisses.
Then the three of us are standing alone, Xavian and I both staring at Echo. An awkward silence falls.
“Lunch?” my buddy asks.
Normally, I would say yes—I’m starved—but if I can get him to fuck off, I’ll have that chat with Echo I didn’t get last night.
“Don’t you have a mountain of work to finish before we take off?” I send Xavian a pointed glare.
“Yep. I do. I guess…I’ll get to it. We’ll party in paradise. See you two at the airport tomorrow.”
“’K. See you then.” Echo leaves my arms—and walks straight into Xavian’s. “I’m proud of us.”
He cups her face, and I don’t like the way he looks at her. I clear my throat meaningfully.
“Fuck, yeah.” He backs away and weirdly high-fives her, breaking the moment. “First in our families to graduate.”
Echo laughs. “Right? We need to really celebrate next week.”
Is that code for I want to have sex with you?
“We will.” Then I turn to Xavian. “I’ll see you at the office, buddy. I’ll just be a few minutes.”
X takes my not-so-subtle hint. “See you there.”
When he’s gone, I turn to my bestie. “Need a ride back to your place?”
We can talk there.
Echo unzips her graduation gown and steps out, draping it over her arm. Her dress beneath stops my breath. It’s not her usual shapeless, ankle-length sack in earthy brown or mustard, decorated with old-fashioned flowers and floppy ruffles. Nope, this is a rich wine color, trimmed in matching lace that somehow makes her golden skin glow. It’s also short. Really short. Like, she better hope there’s not a stiff wind short. But wow, I’ve never noticed her tanned legs before. They seem miles long.
“I’m good. I rode my bike.”
When she turns to point at the rack, I catch a glimpse of her mostly bare back, minus two straps hugging her shoulder blades and a delicate tassel dangling in between.
Holy shit. Is she trying to attract attention? Granted, it’s another hot day, but lately her long skirts and combat boots, braids, beanies, and plaids have been replaced by stuff that’s a lot sexier.
I look away because I shouldn’t be staring at my best friend like that . “Cool. Um, I want to talk to you. Why don’t you feel totally accomplished? Your major wasn’t easy, but you made amazing grades, despite having to work to help with tuition and pay rent. You have lots of friends, the respect of your professors, tons of prospects…”
“I know. And I’m proud of all that.” Then Echo looks away, sinking her slightly crooked front teeth into her puffy pink lip. “I just wanted to make today about my new life. I woke up feeling like the usual me. I’m an adult, but in my head I’m still a kid since I haven’t done all the grown-up things like start a career, make car payments, worry about taxes…and other stuff.”
Like have sex?
“I wanted to finish the day totally embracing the life I’m going to have. Graduation was a big part of that, for sure. I had a plan to work on some of the other stuff. I even have an interview at three o’clock with a firm I think could be a great fit for me, so I’m excited…” Echo shrugs. “But the rest of my plan fell through. It can wait a few days, I guess.”
Yes, she means having sex. Clearly, she’s not going to tell me—I have a few theories about why—and I can’t confront her with what I know.
I have to tread carefully.
“There’s no rush on anything, Echo. You are an adult. It’s clear you’re a woman and?—”
“Is it? Really?” She thrusts a hand on her hip.
I don’t think she means to, but her pose shows off her curves and makes it abundantly clear that she’s all woman.
Seriously, I have to stop looking at her like that .
“Of course. You’ll get a good job, I’m sure. You won’t be able to avoid taxes, trust me. And car payments are overrated. The more adult decision might be to drive your paid-off clunker a bit longer. Anything else you feel like you’re missing out on will come in good time.”
“But I’ve already waited, probably too long because I stupidly want something that will never happen…” Her face closes up, and she shakes her head. “Never mind. Not your problem. I’ll figure it out.”
What is she saying? That she wishes she’d lost her virginity sooner? That she regrets holding out for a fairy tale?
“Don’t give up, huh?” She may not find Prince Charming, but someday she’ll meet someone. He’ll have to be close to perfect to deserve Echo. And before I let him near her, I’ll have to trust that he won’t break my best friend’s heart. If he does, I’ll break every bone in his body. “You got this. I believe in you.”
She gives me a wry smile. “I appreciate the vote of confidence, but one of the hallmarks of being an adult is realizing when it’s time to be realistic. So I’ll reschedule what I’d planned for tonight another time.”
Like hell. She had something more meaningful in mind than a one-night stand with Xavian. She’s entitled to at least that much, and she shouldn’t settle for less. “Echo?—”
“It’s fine,” she assures. “You heading back to the office?”
With a sigh, I glance at my phone. Three voice mails, half a dozen texts, and a meeting that starts in under an hour. Fuck. “Yeah. You want to hit Pescada Fresca tonight, just the two of us, to celebrate?”
She flashes me a dismissive smile. “It’s really sweet of you, but I’ve got lots to do. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
After lifting a hand in a half-hearted wave, she heads to her bike. It takes everything in me not to call her back. But what the hell would I do then, ask if I can help with her “problem”? That would be not merely crossing the friend line; that would be stomping it into dust before I bulldozed what was left of it. Besides, I’m no better for her than Xavian. The difference is, I know it. No clue what he’s thinking, but I need to keep those two apart, make sure Echo doesn’t do anything she’ll ultimately regret, and encourage her not to give up on her dreams.
Time drags by until Echo, Xavian, and I meet up at the bar in the airport the next day to wait before we board our flight. I order a vodka cranberry. X starts with a spiked coffee since he was at the office until nearly four this morning finishing up the project I had my boss dump in his lap so he couldn’t rub his uglies against Echo last night. Except for another eye-poppingly short skirt, she seems like her usual sunny self again as she orders a pina colada.
“Here’s to our adventure in paradise.” I hold up my glass.
“Amen, brother.” Xavian lifts his mug, then swallows back half of the brew.
“I can’t wait!” Echo looks giddy. “My sisters are really jealous. Eryn assures me I’m going to love Maui and that I’m never going to want to come home. She told me to at least do a drive-by of the Sunshine Coast Bed-and-Breakfast where she and West honeymooned.”
“Then we will,” I promise her. I want to take a drive around the island anyway to see as much of it as I can.
X sucks back the last of his spiked java, then motions for another. “And I should know no later than Wednesday if I have a long-lost family, so we might have that to celebrate soon.”
“You submitted a DNA sample?”
“Yeah. Why not? If we’re not family, no harm, no foul.” He shrugs.
“Do you know anything about them?” Echo asks.
“Nothing except that they’re well aware Daddy couldn’t keep it in his pants.”
“Oh, maybe he and my dad were pals,” I quip. “They had that in common.”
And given Xavian’s track record with women, I wouldn’t be surprised if he turns out to be this womanizing bastard’s son. After all, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
“Right?” X shrugs. “If this pans out, I guess the family will tell me more. Until then, I’m waiting.”
“Whatever happens, I hope you’re happy with the outcome,” Echo murmurs.
“Thanks.”
“Hey,” I call to her as she sips more of her fruity drink. “How did the interview go?”
“Oh, really good. If I get the job, I’ll be working as the social media manager for a nonprofit that helps solicit gently used play equipment and other donations for at-risk kids. It’s a little organization and it probably doesn’t pay shit.” She gives me a self-deprecating grin. “But you know me.”
I do. “It’s meaningful work that sounds right up your alley.”
“Exactly. It won’t be like work at all. I think there’s a good chance I got the job. Bruce Henderson, the guy who runs the place with his wife, Fay, said an organization like this helped him stay off the streets and out of gangs as a teenager growing up in one of the rougher parts of LA. They’re both retired lawyers now, and they’re dedicating their lives to making the city a better place.”
“That’s fantastic.” Xavian hugs her before I can.
The second he pulls away, I toss him a glare. How the hell is Echo supposed to stop thinking about having sex with him if he won’t stay out of her grill?
X shrugs, then reaches for his second cup of spiked coffee as the bartender slides it his way.
I turn back to Echo, who’s peeling off a familiar oversize beige cardigan to reveal a gauzy blue dress that ties around her neck—and a V that plunges to her waist.
My eyes go wide. Echo has cleavage? Yeah, lots of it. I knew she had boobs. I just hadn’t really looked at them before.
Kind of hard not to now. Her curves are so…curvy, it’s hard to look away.
Slam the brakes on that train of thought, buddy. Quick.
“Congratulations,” I finally manage, giving her the briefest hug possible. “Will they call you this coming week?”
“Probably. I mean, I’m not taking anything for granted, but they’re in a hurry to fill the vacancy left by a woman who just had her second baby and decided to stay home with her kids. And”—she sends me a stilted smile—“I’m hoping it doesn’t become an issue, but Fay liked me so much, she tried to persuade me to go out with her son. I didn’t want to insult her, but I was eager to end any expectation that I would date where I work, so…I told them you’re my boyfriend. Sorry. It happened so fast. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“That’s fine, shortcake. I’ll come to your rescue if you need it.”
She looks relieved. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.” I keep my stare pointedly on her face, looking into her golden brown eyes so my gaze can’t stray to the soft swells of her breasts spilling from the plunging front of her sundress.
She’s got to be wearing all this revealing shit to tempt Xavian. That isn’t entirely his fault…but I still want to punch him in the face.
An hour later, I’m relieved to help Echo back into her cardigan before she boards the plane. Seeing so much of what I’m convinced are healthy D-cups has me on edge.
The company bought first-class tickets for X and me, and I refused to make Echo ride back in steerage, so I splurged to grab her the seat next to mine. Xavian is directly behind me. Once we take off, the drinks will flow and the party will be officially underway.
Except when we board, the flight attendant approaches Echo to ask if she’d move to the seat behind her—the one beside Xavian. I tell the woman wearing a blue polyester skirt and an indifferent expression that Echo and I are traveling together. She merely shrugs and says her hands are tied.
Echo sends me a sad, if apologetic, stare, then sinks down next to the guy she begged to take her V-card. Thirty seconds later, a dude in a suit plops in her seat, looking watchful and exacting. If he’s not some bigwig with the airline, then I’m not an investment portfolio manager.
The flight drags on forever. I try to watch movies, but I’m keenly aware of X and Echo talking nonstop behind me. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but she’s tossed off her sweater again and leans close to him. And there’s her cleavage, which he’s not even trying not to look at.
I need to stop stealing glances, too. What the fuck is wrong with me?
When we deplane, I stand to watch her slide her Birkenstocks back on, then rise to her feet. One of the spaghetti straps of her dress falls off her shoulder, hanging halfway down her arm. Before I can right it, Xavian trails a finger up her arm slowly, smiling as he settles the thin band back in place…and lingers too long.
“Thanks.” She sends him a sunny smile, then turns to me. “How was your flight?”
Too long. It sucked. The suit glared a lot and smelled faintly like sweat. “Fine.”
“Ours was really nice.”
“It was great,” X seconds.
Yeah, because you spent the last six hours ogling her tits .
As she tries to exit her row, my best friend trips on her own two feet. “Oops. I probably shouldn’t have had so many glasses of wine.”
X laughs as he catches her around the waist—and doesn’t let go. “You’re giggly.”
And you’re handsy, asshole.
I help her into the main aisle, warning Xavian with a scowl.
The trip through the terminal is less eventful. Thirty minutes later, we all have luggage, then we trudge outside to find the rental car counter…only to groan at the long line.
“One counter?” Echo sighs.
She’s usually really patient. Today, I’m the one soothing her. “It won’t take that long, shortcake.”
“You’re a liar, string bean.”
That crooked smile I know so well makes her look not just familiar, but surprisingly pretty as the day’s fading rays light up her caramel brown waves and sun-kissed skin.
If I’m thinking about my best friend as a woman, I’m clearly jet-lagged. I focus on the long line.
It takes nearly an hour, but we make it to the counter, secure the convertible I booked for the week, then take off with our luggage, the useless paper map, and our sense of adventure as Cardi B screams “I Like It” over the radio.
The hotel is in Wailea, on the southwest side of the island. A half hour later, the road winds a quiet, lush path down to our resort, Echo points and gasps at nearly every palm and every beautiful vista. I smile. This is why I brought her. I knew she’d love it. And we’ll make some awesome memories together. We’ve been doing that since we started attending the same elementary school. It didn’t seem right to come to paradise without her, even though that means I’m giving up sex this week.
Once the valet takes our car, we step into the open-air lobby.
Echo gawks, open-mouthed, at the stunning view of the ocean.
“Fuck…” X mutters almost under his breath.
Yeah, the lush foliage, swaying palms, and profusion of flowers are even more eye-popping than I imagined. It’s going to be an awesome week of paradise, booze, parties, and fun.
Check-in is painless, and a sexy AF Hawaiian woman in a bikini top and grass skirt shimmies up to put a lei around each of our necks.
“Aloha.” Her gaze lingers on Xavian.
My buddy winks her way. “Aloha, beautiful. Thanks.”
She smiles and disappears to greet more incoming guests.
“Can we go straight to the beach?” Echo pleads, still gaping at the shimmering Pacific.
I wrap an arm around her waist and guide her away from the steps leading down to the water. “We’ve got to drop off the luggage at least. The car rental took longer than expected, so our dinner reservations are in”—I glance at my phone—“forty-five minutes.”
“All right,” she grumbles.
Reluctantly, she lets me guide her to the next waiting car up. But it’s half full of beachgoers wrapped in fluffy resort towels, smelling of salt and dripping water. Echo and I fit inside with our luggage, but there’s no space for X.
“I’ll catch the next one,” he assures us.
“Sorry!” Echo calls as the doors begin to slide closed.
But Xavian isn’t bothered. Before I lose sight of him, he’s already making small talk with the Hawaiian hottie with the soft hips and ten-out-of-ten tits. I fully expect he’ll lay the giver of leis. Which is great because then he won’t be trying to lay Echo.
Finally, we make it to our suite, both amazed at our huge balcony with full-frontal views of the ocean. She dumps her luggage in the living room and rushes outside with a gasp.
I follow, feeling the same. “Pictures don’t do this place justice.”
“At all. Wow…” She turns to me with a huge smile. “I can’t believe we’re going to spend the week here. Thank you. Seriously.”
I bring her close and kiss the top of her head. Since she’s wearing her baggy cardigan again, I can almost forget how much cleavage she’s got underneath. “You’re welcome. I’m going to take a shower before dinner. Unless you want one first.”
“A quick one. Five minutes.”
“No problem.”
We jockey around the fact we only have one bathroom. It’s a big one, complete with a sunken tub and plush robes. But we do all right. By the time I step out of the bedroom in clean clothes, Echo turns to me wearing another short dress—this one a rosy shade with a three-tiered skirt that barely reaches mid-thigh. The curvy swells of her breasts are on display again, along with a huge smile. She’s done something to her face besides put on a little colored lip gloss. Her eyes seem bigger. Her skin already looks somehow glowing and tan.
I’ve never seen Echo look more than cute. Right now, she’s beautiful.
“Wow, you look great.” I’ve complimented her appearance a hundred times and meant it…except when I tried to be nice because she was sick and looked like hell. This is the first time I’ve ever felt awkward saying something. Does she know I mean it more than I should?
“You clean up nice, too. Xavian just texted. He’ll be a few minutes late. I guess it took him a while to get into his room.”
More likely he hung around the lobby with Miss Hawaiian Ta-tas. Does Echo suspect that? Would it upset her?
We head down to the restaurant, and the ma?tre d’ sits us beside a short iron railing with gorgeous views of the property and the beach. Five minutes later, we have a cocktail. We clink glasses and order appetizers, then look up to see Xavian rushing to the table in his collared shirt and khaki shorts.
“Sorry, guys.” He slicks back still-wet hair and takes a seat. “What did I miss?”
Moments later, the waiter delivers appetizers. X scans the menu while we give our orders, then he tells the smiling older man in the Hawaiian print shirt to bring him some mahi-mahi and a mule.
We make small talk about the resort, work, and school while we consume liquor, food, then more liquor. It’s nice, like old times—mostly. I hate that I’m noticing that the exposed flesh of Echo’s breasts playing peekaboo with her dress are a few shades lighter than the rest of her.
Is that as pale as her skin gets…or are there other parts of her not only unseen by any man, but the sun?
I shouldn’t speculate about that. I shouldn’t be thinking about her at all. And the way X is looking at Echo, I’m convinced he’s wondering the same thing. I want to throttle him.
Glancing down into my greyhound, I swallow to get my temper under control. Despite the fact I’ve warned X away, he’s not backing off. I’m sure he thinks I’m jealous or something. But I intend to keep my best friend from getting hurt.
Dessert comes. Echo digs into her brown butter banana, dripping in caramel sauce and slathered in ice cream, and she moans. The little sounds from her throat have me pushing my cheesecake away and shifting uncomfortably in my seat. I’m hard just from listening, I admit it. She’s sounds like she’s having a fucking orgasm.
Has she ever had one?
None of my business. I need to stop wondering shit like that.
A glance tells me Xavian, staring fixedly at Echo, is having dirty thoughts, too.
I motion to the waiter for another drink. X points to his glass, as well.
Fuck, maybe it was a mistake to think I could sleep in the same bed with my best friend, no problem. Something tells me it won’t be as much like putting my sleeping bag next to hers as I believed.
Finally, she finishes the last bite of her dessert with another wrenching moan, eyes closed as she licks her spoon like a lover.
Shit. Echo is…sexy? When did that happen?
In front of me, my phone rings. I glance at the display, then smile. “Hey, Gramma.”
“How’s Hawaii, young man?”
“It’s gorgeous. I’m sitting here on the open lanai, finishing dinner and drinks with Xavian and Echo. How are you?”
“I hate Boston, and your grandfather, may he rot in hell, insisted on living in this shit hole. And now I’m too old to leave.”
“You’re not. If you want, I’ll move you to Cali the day I get home. I’d love to have you closer.” I worry about her now that she has no family back there to take care of her.
“I’m not pretty enough to live in Hollywood. Besides, you can’t move my house, and I’m not leaving it.”
We’ve had this argument before. “Stubborn broad.”
“Headstrong ass,” she quips back.
I laugh. We’ve had this argument before, too. She raised me during summers when my mom was working two jobs and my dad was too busy plowing his new piece of ass on “business trips” to be bothered with his kids.
“Hi, Gramma Liddy!” Echo calls across the table.
“Tell that young lady of yours I said hi. And tell her I said to keep you in line.”
“Gramma, we’ve talked about this…”
She’s convinced Echo hung the moon and I should marry her tomorrow. It’s precisely because I care about her that I never would.
“And I still think you’re wrong. You’re not your philandering father. He came out of my vagina a raving asshole. Never did care about anyone but himself. You’re not like that.”
“Thanks, Gramma.” What the hell else am I going to say when my grandmother is talking about her female parts while Echo and X look on intently?
“She’d be good for you. Snap her up before someone else does. Life is too short to spend it without the people you love. I found that out again yesterday.” She sighs. “Rose died.”
Damn. Rose was her best friend for decades. “I’m so sorry, Gramma.”
Suddenly, my salty, tough-as-nails grandmother who’s outlived both a husband and a worthless son bursts into tears.
Quickly, I mute the call and stand. “Sorry. Charge dinner to the room. I need to talk to Liddy. She’s upset.” I glance Echo’s way. “I’ll be upstairs.”
Then, with a meaningful glare at Xavian, I leave.
Thirty minutes and a lot of shared memories later, I hang up, hopeful that my grandmother will bounce back to her spicy self soon, and splash some water on my face. I look like shit. I’m jet-lagged, my body thinks it’s three a.m., and I’m wondering where the hell X and Echo are. Can they really still be in the restaurant?
As I set the hand towel aside, the latch clicks and the door opens. I head in that direction. “Echo?”
When I round the corner, she looks gutted. Tears spill down her cheeks.
Seeing her hurt is a visceral pain.
“Shortcake, what is it? What’s happened?”
If Xavian touched her, I’ll kill him. No ifs, ands, or buts.
“You made sure Xavian couldn’t spend last night with me?”
X must have spilled. And she sounds crushed. “For your own good. He’s a player. I wanted to protect you.”
“I didn’t ask you to. I wanted to lose my virginity on my terms with someone who knew what he was doing and would make it all right.” More tears fall. “Why would you take that from me?”
Is she serious? “Because you deserve more. I know you want that.”
“And who’s going to give it to me?” She looks me up and down. “You?”
Since she’s slung her ugly cardigan carelessly over her arm again, flashing cleavage, it’s easier for me to imagine being her first than I’d like.
“Shortcake…”
“Don’t call me that. I’m not a little girl anymore. But you keep treating me like I am. You mean well, but I’m a woman.” She tosses her sweater on the nearby chair, storms across the room to me, and grabs my face in her hands. “Damn you.”
Then Echo stands on her tiptoes and yanks my mouth down to hers.
Her kiss is graceless and angry…but it’s impossible not to notice how soft her lips are and how perfectly they mold to mine.
Lightning zips down my spine as she opens her mouth and nudges my lips apart. I’m frozen and shocked beyond rational thought. Why else would I let her tongue in my mouth? And why else am I closing my eyes, grabbing her dress in my fists while my tongue surges inside, and kissing her like my life depends on it?
Then, holy shit…tingles. Everywhere. Head-to-toe. They spread through my body. Fire follows, razing across my skin and scorching my veins. And that something mysterious I smelled last Sunday at her place above the delectable scent of the French toast? That’s Echo. She fills my nostrils again. Her skin. Her body. She’s igniting my blood.
Son of a bitch. I’m harder than hard. What the hell is happening?
Your best friend is blowing your mind.
Suddenly, she wrenches free with a gasp, pressing a hand to her swollen mouth and staring at me in horror. “I’m sorry! I’m so… Oh, my god.”
Before I can stop her, Echo turns and runs out of our room, slamming the door behind her.