Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
ATHENA
Sun and I flew down the highway in my car on our way to the coffee shop, music blasting so loud that it vibrated the car. I bobbed my head to the rhythm and ignored the cop that we had passed, hoping he wouldn’t pull me over.
Man, for the past few days, I’d felt like I was on top of the world.
Moving her head back and forth, Sun hummed and stared out the window. I took the exit for Carnegie and followed the road toward the coffee shop. Outside, a light drizzle of rain pattered against the windshield.
I parked the car, paid the meter on my phone, and grabbed my bag from the trunk.
“I’m so jealous of you and Charlie,” Sun hummed. “You guys are perfect together.”
Playfully, I rolled my eyes. “Oh, come on …”
“Seriously though,” Sun said. “You’re so lucky.”
“Lucky that I’m married and don’t remember the wedding?”
She sighed softly, stepped into the café, and shook off her jacket. “I don’t know if I will ever have that with Russ and Maya. They’re really happy together, and I definitely add to the relationship, but …”
“But what? You’re happy with them.”
“At some point, I want to get married too. But they’ve already had a wedding. They are already set into their life. I don’t know if they would accept me into their marriage, as more than just a doll they can use.”
I frowned when her frown deepened. “Ah, Sun.”
Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to say or how to even say it. Since the day we had met, Charlie and I had been friends and connected on an emotional level. Sun’s relationship was physical, but it definitely had emotional elements to it.
I had seen how Maya looked at her when Sun turned away. I had seen the jealousy in Russ’s eyes when someone at Radiant paid a bit too much attention to her the other day. It was more than physical to them.
But was it relationship-worthy? Marriage-worthy? I didn’t know.
“You know,” I said, curling my arm around hers, “I think they really like you.”
“For my body.”
Heather and Sierra waved from a table, and I tugged Sun into line to grab tea.
“I mean, of course they like your body,” I said, stepping back and checking her out in front of everyone so she knew she looked good. “Look at how sexy you are. Who wouldn’t want to—”
Sun waved her hand in the air and shook her head. “Don’t be so loud!”
My lips curled into a smirk, and I rocked forward on my heels. “I’m just saying!”
Cheeks flaming red, Sun narrowed her eyes. “We’re out in public. Not everyone has to know that I have—”
“A smoking hot boyfriend and an even sexier girlfriend? Because if it were me”—I giggled—“I would want everyone to know how I scored with two scorching hot billionaires who took me on vacations, and let me stay at their place, and took me out on dates, and got jealous when I talked to other people.”
“They do not—” Sun started.
“Hey, girls!” the barista said, smiling at us. “What’re we having?”
We moved to the counter, and I gazed at all the delicious baked goods they had today. Strawberry cake, scones, brownies, and cookies that had the chocolate chips gooey and melting.
“Just a hot tea,” Sun said.
“Me too,” I added, handing the barista my card.
After she gave us our drinks, Sun sipped hers. “As I was saying, they do not get jealous.”
“Yes, they do.”
“No, they don’t.”
“Yes, they do,” Heather called from our table. “They totally do.”
I dragged Sun over to them and plopped down next to Heather. “Told you.”
Still in denial, Sun shook her head. “They do not. Don’t get my hopes up.”
“Girl!” Heather said. “If you don’t get your head out of the trash can, I’m going to smack you out of there. Literally every time any of us sees you with them, they’re staring at you so possessively …” Heather shook. “Gosh, it’s so hot.”
“That doesn’t mean—ow!” Sun exclaimed. “Did you just kick me?!”
Heather raised her brows. “I told you to stop talking bad about yourself.”
From across the table, Sierra smirked. “If you don’t think they’re into you, then you should flirt with someone in front of them to see how they react. Chances are that they’ll get possessive enough for you to see it.”
Evelyn walked over to the table in a set of heels and pulled up a chair from another table to sit. She placed her coffee on the table and wiggled her brows. “But make sure you do it at Radiant so we can all watch.”
Sun scrunched up her nose. “No!”
I snickered and pulled out my textbook to study for the bar. It was approaching quickly.
After the other night, when Charlie had cried in my arms because he didn’t think he was good enough, I had decided that I needed to study for the bar every chance that I had. I wanted to pass with flying colors and become a successful lawyer so Charlie didn’t have to worry.
I wanted him to work on his business because he loved it.
Not because his parents forced him into it or made him feel like he had to do anything to succeed. I didn’t want him to trade in his values for a few extra bucks. We didn’t have to be billionaires or even millionaires. As long as we stayed together, I’d be happy.
“That’s it,” Evelyn said, tugging out her laptop to work. “I’m calling in reinforcements.”
“Reinforcements?!” Sun exclaimed. “Gosh, I should’ve never told you guys.”
“All I’m saying is,” Evelyn started, “next time you’re at Radiant, be prepared.”
Sun stared in horror. “Be prepared for what?”
My lips curled into a smirk. “Oh, you know …”
“No, I really don’t!”
“To get dicked down by some hottie.” Evelyn giggled.
“No!” Sun shouted. “I don’t want to get dicked down by anyone except Russ.”
Heather wiggled her brows. “That’s who she’s talking about, especially after Russ and Maya see a sexy older couple talking to you.” She giggled behind her hand. “Oh God, this is going to be so good.”