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“Now tell me, is he a good kisser? Oh God, I bet he’s an incredible kisser. You lucky bitch.” She smacks the bed dramatically.

“He’s pretty incredible,” I admit. “He did this thing with his tongue...” I groan. “No one has ever kissed me like that, Mais. Like I was the anchor tethering him to the ground.”

“If you’re trying to make me jealous...” She gives me a tight-lipped stare. “It’s working,” she finally says, her mouth splitting into a wide smile. “That man is F.I.N.E. fine, fine, fine.”

“On that, we can definitely agree.”

“Her older brother Dalton isn’t too bad either. Too bad he’s married.”

“Maisie.” I laugh.

“I’m just saying, I’m wondering what their parents put in the water because their children are freaking beautiful.”

“They really are,” I agree.

“And did you see Dalton’s girls? Looks like they took the pretty pills too.”

“One could say the same thing about your family,” I feel the need to point out. “Or are we just ignoring the fact that you look like a runway model and your brother looks like he stepped off the pages of GQ?”

“Please,” she sputters. “Have you looked at yourself in the mirror recently? No wonder River couldn’t keep his hands off you today.”

“If only,” I murmur, thinking back to our bathroom encounter.

I guess technically it was me who stopped it from going further. I wanted it to, of course. But it didn’t feel right. I mean, it felt right. So right I damn near forgot my own name. But the timing was... Well, not appropriate. Even still, I’m both impressed and surprised by my own willpower.

“I’m going to go brush my teeth before bed,” Maisie tells me, standing.

“Okay. I’ll wait until you’re done and then I’ll go.” I watch her walk to the door. “Hey, Mais.” I wait until she looks over her shoulder at me before continuing. “Thank you.”

“Of course. Just do us both a favor and don’t lie to me again, yeah?”

“Yeah.” I nod, watching her exit the room seconds later.

Chapter Five

Charlotte

River: Can I see you before you leave?

“I wish you could stay longer.” I look up from my phone when Lyric enters the room.

“Me too.” I give her a smile, quickly tucking the device into my pocket.

Kai and Maisie stayed until Sunday morning, leaving me and Lyric with four additional days alone together. The week went way too fast, and while I’m ready to get back home, I’m going to miss spending all day lounging on the beach with my best friend.

I expected River to stop by. To randomly pop in because he just couldn’t stay away. He didn’t. In fact, I haven’t heard from him since the night he kissed me. That is, until this morning. I’m left to assume that Lyric told him I was leaving today, which would explain the text just minutes before I was preparing to leave.

“I can’t convince you to stay a few more days?” She pouts out her bottom lip.

“I would if I could.” I pick up my duffel off the floor, tossing it over my shoulder. “But I’m pretty sure my mother would like her car back.”

It’s partially true. My mom probably would like her car back. Then again, she’s retired and rarely leaves the house, and if she needs to, she can always use my dad’s car. They didn’t have me until they were in their early forties, so they’re in the later stagesof life than a lot of my friends’ parents. And because I’m their miracle baby—their words, not mine—there’s very little I don’t get away with. So really, Icouldstay. And a part of me really wants to. The other part of me, however, is tied in knots over River’s text and feels like I can’t get out the door fast enough.

“Okay. You’ll call me as soon as you get home? Let me know you got there safely?”

“I will,” I promise, accepting the hug she so freely gives.

“Love you.” She squeezes me tightly.