Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
Xavian doesn’t look devastated, like he lost his job or his best friend. But whatever he’s going to say, it’s big.
Both relieved and frustrated at his timing, I gesture to the sofa. “Sit down, man. What’s going on?”
Slowly, he sinks onto the nearest cushion. “I just got a call. The blood results are back. The PI is right. These people, whoever they are… We’re related. They’re my family.” He sighs. “It’s weird to say that.”
After not really having any, I’m sure.
“That’s amazing.” Echo sits and takes his hand. “You have people who care enough to find you so they can include you.”
“Maybe.” He doesn’t sound convinced. “Since they’re being so secretive, it’s more likely they’re not thrilled I exist and they intend to silence me so I won’t blab and tarnish dear old dad’s reputation.”
“Don’t assume the worst. Once they get to know you, they’ll welcome you with open arms.”
There’s Echo’s optimism again, but Xavian and I are cut from the same cynical cloth. I know exactly why he’s convinced this isn’t good news.
“Did the PI tell you anything when he called back?” I ask.
“Almost nothing, except the family knows. Sakamoto said he’ll be in touch with more from them soon.”
Meaning he’ll outline what the family wants from Xavian and how much pressure they’re planning to apply to shut him up. That could be anything from a bribe to a threat.
What a shitty situation. X could really use some close-knit family. After his mom died, he went through a self-destructive phase. Graham, Kella, Maryam, Echo, and I pulled him through, but we’re friends. He wants a blood bond. He wants to belong with people for life.
The last thing he needs is proof that relatives who should give a shit about him don’t.
“Think positive,” Echo suggests. “Put out good vibes. They’ll come back to you.”
Xavian squeezes her hand. “Thanks. Hey, we have until five before the cocktail mixer. Can we get out of here for a bit? I don’t think I can just chill on the beach today without going stir crazy.”
Good call. I don’t think I can keep my hands to myself, especially if Echo and I stay in our room or she puts on another bikini. “You want to have lunch somewhere on the island, then sightsee a little?”
“That would be nice,” Echo agrees.
So we all agree to make an afternoon of it, first traveling north and stopping at several scenic points along the way until we reach Lahaina, where we find a fresh seafood place on the beach. Afterward, we backtrack and head south again.
Before we left my room, I’d tucked away the notes I took during the conversation with Fay Henderson. When I passed the suggestions to Xavian, he and Echo both got fired up to hit a local place with ropes courses and ax throwing. We’re all experienced climbers, so we challenge ourselves and tackle the most difficult climbing elements.
I swear I’ve seen Echo a hundred times in spandex shorts, but usually with some baggy T-shirt that covered everything from her neck to her mid-thighs. Not today. Nope, she’s wearing a tight crop top in a siren red that clings to her tits, and my good intentions of watching to make sure she doesn’t need help climbing—which she doesn’t—quickly devolve into ogling her. I can’t resist offering a hand or holding her waist.
More than once, Xavian looks at me, brow raised. I have to tell him that Echo no longer needs his “services.” If that’s too subtle, I’ll use small but threatening words to explain that, if he lays a finger on her, I will cut off his balls and feed them to the fish.
At the end of the hike, it’s hard to catch my breath…and I can’t merely blame exertion. Echo melts against me, panting as she recovers. I can smell her sweet scent. It sneaks through my nose and seeps into my senses. With that comes the memory of her mouth under mine. And her provocative words.
I’d rather have you inside me.
Just like that, I’m hard again.
But not deflowering her is for her own good. I can stand a few cold showers. I can take myself in hand. It won’t be the first time…or the last.
I need to think of something besides Echo. Being fixated on having sex with her when we’re supposed to distract Xavian from his worries isn’t okay.
Echo passes on the ax throwing, which is probably good for me, too. I’m so focused on her I’d probably end up minus a toe or two. Best of all, X seems better off now that we’ve given him a change of scenery and activity.
“What do you want to do now?” I ask him as we pull away from the adventure park.
Neither he nor Echo has anything in mind, and we still have hours to kill. So we meander through some kitschy shops and people-watch on the beach before heading back toward Wailea.
“Hey, since we’re out, could we stop at the bed-and-breakfast where my sister and West honeymooned? It’s not too far, and Eryn said they had an afternoon yoga and hibiscus tea thing that was awesome.”
I look at Xavian. He shrugs.
“Sure.” I nod. “Start the GPS.”
Twenty minutes later, I park beside a big white, island-style house with an expansive lawn that gives way to an unspoiled, unobstructed view of the ocean. Not going to lie; it’s sweet. Living here would be no hardship.
Outside, two couples mill around with yoga mats, talking while a redhead with an infant sleeping in a harness strapped to her front bustles around, gathering water bottles for everyone with a smile.
I’m not much for yoga. But Echo darts in their direction, so I rush to catch up. X reluctantly follows.
“Hi,” Echo says to the woman, hand outstretched. “Are you Keeley?”
The redhead smiles. “I am. How can I help you? If you’re here about a room, I’m sorry. We don’t have any vacancies this week.”
“I just wanted to meet you. My sister and her husband honeymooned with you. Eryn and West Quaid? They said?—”
“Echo!” Keeley squees like she’s met her new best friend.
That makes my girl happy. Wait, she’s not my girl as in my girlfriend. Yes, she’s my girl friend, but… This shit is confusing.
“You remembered my name?” Echo sounds amazed.
Keeley nods. “I loved having your sister here and was so sad the day she and her husband left the island. But she texted me a few days ago and said you’d be on Maui this week and that you might stop by for a visit. It’s time for yoga or I’d chat more. If you’ve got an hour, have some tea, then we can visit.”
Echo looks back to Xavian and me hopefully. We both shrug. Why not?
“Or you can join the yoga,” Keeley offers.
“I’d love to. Eryn said your style of teaching and all the poses with the ocean crashing in the background was great.”
“I have to admit, the scenery is awesome.” The redhead winks.
“How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing. I’m just happy to have you here.” Then she calls into the house. “Eleanor?”
A petite woman with graying hair in a pixie cut that accentuates her elfin features emerges, a smile stretching all the way to her blue eyes. “Do you need something, dear?”
“Can you take Kailani?” Keeley pulls the infant from her carrier, then unstraps it. “It’s time to start the class. I think she’ll go down in her crib now without a fuss.”
“Of course.” Eleanor takes the baby. “Oh, Maxon called a minute ago. Your husband said he’s almost to Harlow and Noah’s place. Griff, Evan, and Bethany are already there, conferring. This development…it’s awfully sudden.”
“My husband’s family,” she supplies with a smile, then turns back to the older woman. “They don’t need me for this discussion, but Maxon better keep it together.”
“Well, my daughter wishes you were there.” Eleanor drops her voice. “You know Britta can get drowned out by all the loud voices in this family, and she says everyone showed up with attitude today.”
“Britta is my sister-in-law,” Keeley tells us before she sighs. “I feared everyone would have different opinions.”
What the hell are they talking about? I turn to X with a silent question, but he’s tuned out, staring out at the ocean, a million miles away.
Not knowing the identity of the strangers and what they could possibly want is killing him. Maybe I should ask Keeley if she has something stronger than tea.
“If this is a bad time, I can come back,” Echo offers.
Keeley takes her hand. “You’re fine, sweetie. The rest of the brood has this family stuff under control. Do your friends want to join in the yoga?”
Immediately, I shake my head. “Thanks, but we’re good.”
Keeley cocks her head, then turns back to Echo. “Is this Hayes?”
How the hell does she know my name?
Echo nods. “Eryn mentioned him, too?”
Keeley sends me a speculative smile, then nods Echo’s way. “Oh, she did.”
I can only imagine what Echo’s middle sister said about me. She’s never quite believed that Echo and I are just friends. Lately, she’s convinced I’m secretly in love with my best friend.
Are you one hundred percent sure she’s wrong?
The question is like a two-by-four to the face, knocking my polite smile right off.
“Don’t worry,” Keeley assures. “It was all good. What about your other friend?”
Echo reads X just right. “He’s having a rough day. I think he’d be happy just taking in your view.”
“No problem. You ready to get started?” At Echo’s nod, Keeley motions toward the wide lanai attached to the house and overlooking the water. “If you two want to sit, feel free. Eleanor will bring you something to drink.”
“Thank you.” I head X’s way and stare over the Pacific with him. “You okay, man?”
“Yeah. Sorry. This shit just keeps hitting me, you know? There are people out there with my blood who went out of their way to hunt me down. I don’t know what the fuck they want.” He’s fighting anxiety. “I hate getting my hopes up.”
“I get it. But they don’t know you. If they try to heap shit on you now, it’s not personal. It’s all them.”
“I know. And I don’t want to be a pussy about this. But is it so fucking wrong to wish I had some of what you have? And Echo has? What all my friends have? My mom died so soon…”
“I know. And I know we’re not family, per se?—”
“Fuck that, man. You’re my brother.” He turns to me, trying hard to hold back, but tears sheen his eyes.
“You’re my brother, too.” I clap his shoulder.
He pulls me in for a bro-hug full of unspoken words. He needs this moment, so I wait until he’s steady. But when I glance across the yard, Echo stands with her head tossed back and the wind teasing the loose tendrils of her hair. Her arms are wide open to the sun in welcome. Golden light bathes her face.
She really is beautiful.
She reminds me of the other thing I need to say to Xavian. “Listen, Echo and I came to an agreement this morning. I volunteered to, um…pluck her V-card. She agreed to let me.”
“Seriously? Are you going to do it?”
“No. I know she spouted off about wanting to truly be an adult and do all the adult things, but you know she’s a romantic. She’s saved that for someone she’s in love with.”
“You’re right.”
“And that’s not you, man.”
“It’s not.”
Xavian’s easy agreement surprises me. I sigh in relief. “And it’s not me, either.”
He’s quiet for a long time. Finally, he peers at me with a dead-straight stare. “Are you sure about that?”
What is he saying? “Echo and I are friends.”
“For a long time. But shit changes.”
Shock trips my heart. “Did she tell you something?”
He shrugs. “You and I both know women. We’ve slept with a fuck ton of them. You ever known one who’s as loyal and sweet, who’s always there when you need them, who’s your cheerleader, confidante, and best friend, if she doesn’t have serious feelings for you?”
If we were talking about anyone else, I would agree. But this is big-hearted Echo. “Dude, she’s always there for you, too. She’s there for everyone in her life.”
“Not in the same way.”
“Only because she and I have been friends longer,” I protest.
But deep down, I wonder if that’s really true. Is there any chance he’s right? Echo gave up the idea of Xavian taking her virginity the minute I volunteered. She didn’t even talk to him first.
What does that say about her feelings?
Shit. I’ll have to be careful. I can’t cross the line with Echo’s body or her heart.
Xavian and I pass the next thirty minutes on the lanai with a tropical boozy concoction and a plate of meringue cookies Eleanor brought us with a smile. I watch Echo, trying to figure out where her head is…and if her friendship is actually deeper.
Finally, the yoga session ends, and she runs over, looking relaxed. She glows with a hint of perspiration and pink color from the sun. I try to ignore the way her top clings to her breasts and the hint of her nipples poking through. It doesn’t matter, though. I know they’re there, and it’s a good thing my shirt is long enough to hide my reaction.
But you’ll be alone with her again tonight …
Fuck.
“That was awesome!” Echo doesn’t merely smile; she looks really centered and happy.
While I wasn’t thrilled to just sit here and watch Xavian stew, I’m satisfied that Echo is content. “You did great, shortcake.”
“Thanks.” She looks at our glum friend. “You okay, X? I’m sorry about staying if you wanted to go…”
“Nah. I’m just chilling with this view. You’re good.”
Keeley sways in Echo’s direction and helps her to a dressing room where she can freshen up with some cool cloths after the session. They return a few minutes later, and we stand. It’s after three. We should probably start heading back to the hotel before the cocktail welcome with our CEO gets underway.
Keeley hugs Echo. “It was so great to meet you. I wish you could have stayed to meet my husband, Maxon. He and West got along fantastically.”
“I’m sorry I missed him, too. Eryn had nothing but lovely things to say about how special you two made their honeymoon.”
“It was our pleasure. When do you fly back to the mainland?”
“Saturday evening.”
“If you’re free one night before then, let me know. I’d love to have you and Hayes and your friend—I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name—for dinner.” Keeley looks inquiringly at X.
He extends his hand. “Xavian Costa.”
Instantly, the color leaves Keeley’s face. Her mouth gapes open.
“Is something wrong?” Echo asks.
Keeley recovers quickly, but her smile looks stilted. “Nothing. Um… Can you just wait here two minutes? I need to do something before you go.”
No idea why the redhead is acting weird, but Echo is dialed in to whatever is bothering the woman. Xavian has already tuned out.
Echo elbows me, so I nod dutifully. In truth, I want to find out why hearing my buddy’s name freaked Keeley out. “Sure.”
“Two minutes.” She holds up her hands, making sure we stay put. “Promise?”
I nod.
Beside me, Echo smiles reassuringly. “Of course.”
Keeley turns and runs, sprinting toward the house. Obviously, the yoga has helped get her post-pregnancy body back in running shape because she’s quick.
“Any idea what that’s about?” I ask Echo.
She shakes her head. “I hope everything is okay.”
It’s more like five minutes before Keeley returns, still looking rattled. “Thanks for your patience. Can you spare another ten minutes? I want to tell you a story. It’s…important.”
The inn owner says the words to all of us, but keeps sending Xavian sideways glances.
Now I’m really curious, and we still have a little time before the cocktail gathering. It’s not mandatory, anyway. I could use the face-time to schmooze with the CEO, but… “Sure.”
“Thank you.” She leads us back to the lanai, and we all find a seat, Echo between Xavian and me. Then Eleanor brings Keeley a big cup of hibiscus iced tea and offers us the same. We decline, and when the older woman disappears inside again, Keeley drags in a steadying breath. “When I met my husband, he and his brother, Griff, hadn’t spoken a word to each other in three years. It was awful. Their fight was all pride and anger and assumptions, especially on Griff’s part. I still rib him about that. Their younger sister, Harlow, tried to be the neutral go-between, but she was going to school on the mainland and had a life of her own. None of them were close to each other or their parents, who were both horrible human beings. I still marvel that those two monsters produced three wonderful, loving people.”
That’s all interesting—if a bit personal. I wonder how her husband would feel if he knew his wife was spilling the family tea to three relative strangers. I can’t figure out why she’s bothering, but she keeps on, so I’m guessing she has a point.
“Harlow’s husband is…” Keeley searches for the right words. “Let’s just say Noah knows a lot of people. He was in the airport one day when a stranger approached him. The man said he thought he was Harlow’s long-lost brother. After a little digging, that turned out to be the case. My husband wasn’t totally surprised, but the rest of the family seemed shocked. Thankfully, they’ve gotten over it, and Evan fits right in.”
“So it’s a happy ending.” Echo smiles like she’s glad for them, but isn’t sure why Keeley told the story.
That makes two of us.
“Yes, but it’s not the end. A few months later, Evan was approached by a woman in a parking lot. Bethany—that’s her name—told Evan they share the same father. We were all stunned to learn she was right. Honestly, it’s been an adjustment for each of them to find out they have unexpected siblings. But Bethany fits with the rest of the clan. In fact, they all get along amazingly well, despite having such different upbringings. My point is…the unexpected isn’t always a bad thing.”
From inside the house, a wide-shouldered guy with light brown hair, a sharp jaw, and a thousand-dollar suit approaches us. He looks solemn and resolute. “We’ll take it from here, sunshine.” Then he turns to Xavian, hand outstretched. “Hi, I’m Maxon Reed. Apparently, I’m your oldest brother.”
Oh, shit . I didn’t see that coming. I should have, given Keeley’s story and Xavian’s situation…
X stands, gaping as he shakes Maxon’s hand automatically. “You’re…my brother?”
“One of them, yes. I hired Mr. Sakamoto, the private detective who reached out to you.”
“ We hired him.” A slightly younger carbon copy of Maxon with darker hair saunters closer, backing him up. “I’m Griffin Reed, also your brother.”
Xavian looks shaken as he takes the guy’s hand next.
A drop-dead gorgeous brunette sidles between them. “And I’m Harlow Reed—well, Weston now—one of your two sisters.”
Even if they didn’t have the blood tests to back them up, I’d know they were telling the truth because they all have piercing eyes in the same unusual shade of green.
Just like Xavian.
“I-I have three siblings?” X stammers out, clearly floored.
He’s still cautious, and I get it. Who knows what these people want? Why are they introducing themselves now?
“Um…remember my story?” Keeley gives Xavian an encouraging smile.
It takes X a few seconds to process that. “Shit. There are more.”
As he’s reeling, another guy jogs in and shoulders his way past the others to Xavian’s side. He’s younger than Maxon and Griff. Taller, too. And somehow sharp and gawky at once. Echo would probably call him nerd-hot. And yep, he has the same green eyes. “Evan Cook. I wasn’t raised with these three”—he crooks a thumb at the Reed siblings—“so if they’re assholes, that’s just them.”
The others laugh, and I’m confused about why that’s a joke until Maxon clears it up. “We all have Dad’s blood running through our veins. So we have to fight the asshole DNA, you included, genius.” He turns to Xavian, brow raised. “You get accused of being a selfish dick often?”
I bark out a laugh. I know X well, so I see through his BS, but… “All the time. I’m his friend, Hayes Elliot. And this is Echo Hope.”
Echo stands to shake Maxon’s hand. “I’m Eryn Quaid’s sister.”
Maxon’s grin widens. “What a damn small world. It’s nice to meet you.” Then he turns his focus on Xavian again. “Between the eyes and the attitude, I’d know you’re a Reed even without the blood test.”
A blonde, a few years older than Harlow, who looks as intelligent as she is beautiful, joins the others. Her eyes are gray swathed with the family green, and a smile plays at her lips. “Bethany Holmes. Just so you know, these guys are all assholes. Harlow and I are angels.”
The others scoff, laughing in good-natured fun. It’s clear they’re a close-knit bunch.
Xavian looks overwhelmed. “So…I have five siblings? Holy shit. That’s a lot.”
Griff clears his throat, then casts a glance to the parking lot. Relief relaxes his features. “Six—that we know of. Here comes the other one.”
A petite blonde carrying a little boy heads our way, backed up by a tall, lanky guy in a Hawaiian shirt with a loose-hipped swagger. As they get closer, I rule him out as a brother since Maxon said he was the oldest, and this guy has him beat by roughly five years. A glance at the woman tells me she’s probably not related to the others, either. Unlike Bethany and Harlow, she’s a waif. And she has striking eyes in an icy blue.
But the little boy she’s holding? Green eyes.
“The kid is my brother, too?” Xavian’s jaw falls open.
“Yes, I’m Amanda. And this little guy is my son, Oliver,” the dainty blonde offers. “Your mother, like Evan’s, Bethany’s, and I were all, at one time or another, employed as Barclay’s personal assistant. I just happened to be one of the last.”
“Wait.” Xavian steps back, stunned and blinking. “You mean you’re all related to Barclay Reed? The guy who swindled his clients out of hundreds of millions of dollars? The Bernie Madoff of the West Coast. That Barclay Reed?”
“Ah, so you’ve heard of our ‘esteemed’ father,” Harlow says tartly. “That’s him. He was a real peach. Maxon, Griff, and I grew up with him, so we speak from experience. But he fucked us all over in one way or another.” Her gaze slides over to her sister. “Probably Bethany most.”
Xavian scans the group, taking in one face after the other, in stupefied shock. “Wow. Okay, so…what do you all want from me? I don’t know anything about Barclay Reed. I never met him. He was just some guy I heard about on the news. So I don’t have a story to tell the press about him for a buck. My mom probably could have, but she passed away three years ago. If you’re worried I’ll talk or something, don’t be. I’ve got nothing to say.”
Keeley, who’s been quiet for most of the introductions, speaks again. “Nobody wants anything from you.”
He stares at the group suspiciously, then glances around the big, multimillion dollar house. “If you’re worried I’m going to somehow try to cash in on the notoriety of being one of Barclay Reed’s offspring, that’s not happening, either. I work in the investment sector, so attaching myself to that name wouldn’t exactly help me gain my clients’ trust.”
The redhead glances at her husband, then back to Xavian with a sigh. “We just want to get to know you. You’re family.”
Keeley said the magic words.
Xavian visibly thaws. “Seriously? That’s it?”
Evan answers first. “I lost my mom at five, and other than one foster mom I was close to, I had no family. When I met the Reed clan, I’d just lost my first wife and unborn child in a car accident. I had no one, and Maxon, Griff, and Harlow all welcomed me…so I moved here from Seattle with my current wife a few months back.”
Bethany nods. “I left LA after my life as Barclay’s right hand ended with his arrest and all the awful accusations in the press. I’d met Evan once. I’d never set eyes on any of the others.” She nods toward the Reed siblings. “It was Christmas, I was broke, and I had nowhere to go. They took me in. And suddenly, I was part of the family. My husband and I moved here soon after.”
Xavian gets really quiet. I’m sure it’s hard for him to believe they don’t want anything, but I actually think they’re sincere.
“I’m not related to any of them,” Amanda puts in. “Harlow and I grew up together.”
“We’ve been friends since we were kids.” The pretty brunette grabs Amanda’s hand. “We still are.”
She squeezes it back. “And I regret betraying that friendship to have a relationship with her father, but I can’t regret Oliver. These people have all welcomed my fiancé and me as family. They didn’t judge. They simply listened when we needed it. They helped when we were lost. They’re what family should be.”
Xavian scrubs a hand over his face. He’s overwhelmed. It’s a lot to take in, and he won’t know them well enough to trust them unless he spends more time with them.
I stand and address the Reed clan. “Can you excuse us for a moment?”
After their murmured assent, Xavian follows me down to the shore. I glance back to check on Echo, but she’s already fallen into an animated conversation with Keeley. Harlow quickly joins in with Bethany listening intently.
I turn to X, who’s totally shellshocked. “You okay?”
“I don’t know what to think. Whether to believe them…”
“Only you can answer that, but I think you should. At the least, a conversation won’t hurt. You have a great nose for bullshit. Use it.”
He pulls his phone from his pocket. “No time. We gotta get back for this shindig.”
“I think it’s more important for you to get to know these people while we’re on the island. You can talk to the CEO another day.”
Xavian sighs. “You’re right.”
Together, we head back to the group. As soon as I reach Echo, I hold out my hand and help her to her feet. “It was great meeting you all. We’ve got a mixer to attend. A work thing. We can come back for Xavian in a few hours.”
He’ll need more time than that to make up his mind, but it’s a start.
“How about tomorrow?” Keeley suggests hopefully.
“We don’t have any vacancies, sunshine,” Maxon reminds.
“And no one wants to come to my house.” Griff grimaces. “I have two boys under the age of four and a pregnant woman puking up her toenails. Speaking of which, I need to call and check on Britta. Excuse me.” He pulls his phone free and steps into the house.
“He can stay with Nia and me,” Evan offers. “We have spare rooms.”
“Clint and I have room, too,” Bethany offers, then strokes her still-flat stomach. “But this baby is sapping all my energy. I keep falling into bed, exhausted, when everyone’s toddlers do.”
The group laughs, and the women assure her it will get better.
“He should stay with Noah and me,” Harlow says, then turns to Xavian. “Nolan, our son, is finally sleeping through the night, so it will be restful. And we have the best private oceanfront views on the island…”
Really? How is that possible without a shit-ton of money?
X seems to have the same question and reaches a conclusion before me. “Hold up. Noah…Weston? You’re married to the Noah Weston? The quarterback? The future hall-of-famer?”
“Yep, that’s him. I was never into football, so when we met he was just an oversized jock with an oversized house and an oversized ego. But he’s grown on me a little.” She winks.
Clearly that’s true—since she has a giant rock on her finger, and they have a baby together.
Xavian’s eyes look ready to pop free. “He won’t mind?”
“If he does, I have ways of persuading him.” Harlow flashes a salacious grin.
Her adult brothers collectively groan. Even Oliver starts fussing.
“Ugh, I don’t want to hear that shit,” Maxon grouses.
Griff and Evan both shake their heads, wearing matching grimaces.
Harlow and Bethany laugh. Keeley high-fives her sisters-in-law. Xavian looks fascinated by their interaction.
“What do you say?” Harlow asks him.
“I appreciate the offer. All right.”
Smiling, I clap X on the shoulder. He’s making the right choice. Hopefully, time with his surprisingly big brood of family will be good for him.
Unfortunately, after this mixer is over, I’ll have hours and hours alone with Echo. Plenty of time to fuck up…
“Why don’t you call when you’re ready to come back to the hotel? We’ll pick you up.”
“Or one of us can bring him to you.” Maxon shrugs. “Whatever you want, Xavian. We’re just hoping for some time to get to know you.”
“Sure.” X nods like he’s still processing the fact that, in the snap of a finger, he went from being an only child and an orphan to being surrounded by family. “I’m down for that.”
Immediately, the rest of the big group invites themselves to Harlow and Noah’s place for dinner.
“You ready to head back?” I murmur to Echo.
She nods, so happy for Xavian that she’s wearing her huge heart all over her face. “Yeah.”
We wave to the others, then head for the convertible. Automatically, my arm slips around her waist. My hand affixes to the curve of her hip. And I try to tamp down my dangerous excitement for the night to come, but by the time we’re in the car I’m already sweating and hard.
I need a plan—quick. Going to the mixer will eat up an hour or two of our evening…but then what? Echo and I will be completely alone all night. If I don’t control what we do together and how badly I want her, I could fuck up everything. On the other hand, if I avoid touching her for my sanity, she’ll know I was lying. She’ll feel played. She’ll be mad and hurt. Her confidence will take a blow.
I sigh. I have to tread carefully or I’ll lose my best friend forever.