Page 14

“Why? Are you doing something after dinner?” she asks, and I swear it’s a challenge.

“Surprises are best when undressed slowly. Don’t you think?”

I consider her every movement. The lift of her chin. How the corner of her mouth turns up, revealing a bashful smile. And how she glances at me, then plays with the bangles on her wrist.

Leaning toward her, I turn her wrist over and run my thumb over the sensitive skin. Then I raise my glass. “To my old friends and reminiscing. To making new memories and for some of us, new beginnings.”

The clinking of glasses accompanies a bevy of cheers. When Becca’s glass touches mine, I want nothing more in this world than to sweep her off her feet and throw her over my shoulder caveman man style.

I don’t because Becca and I have many obstacles between us.

One is Corbin. If he knew it was a forever kind of relationship, I think he’d be okay with us. But if it’s a vacay hookup, I may lose one of my best friends.

Two. My girlfriend just left like seven hours ago.

Three. Becca’s recently divorced.

Four. We live twelve hours apart.

Five. She doesn’t date athletes.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Becca

He’s so freaking cocky. And handsome. And fun. And… and… and. Stop.

I practically ogle John’s strong forearms as the muscles change positions when he tips his drink in my direction and says, “To my old friends and reminiscing. To making new memories and for some of us, new beginnings.”

A fresh start is what I want, but it’s been equally depressing. Stay in a loveless, sexless marriage or be divorced and still go without love or sex.

After dinner and the show, the couples disperse into different directions to either catch up on sleep or on loving. Most of our friends have children and have to sneak in their sexy times, so who could blame them.

The only four people left are Corbin, Oakley, John, and me. “The bartender suggested a nightclub, The Coral Rhythm. Anyone up for it?” John throws out the idea, but the moment he says it, I notice he looks at me, searching for a reaction. My heart flips, and I’m convinced he has eyes that can see through skin like an x-ray machine.

“Nah, Oakley and I need to get to bed,” Corbin says.

Oakley tugs on his arm, presses on her toes, and begs, “Come on. Let’s go dance.”

“Sure, I can’t resist my little thief. Besides, what are vacations for?”

“Letting loose,” Oakley says with pure excitement in her voice.

I’m super conscious of John’s proximity. He leans in a little closer, voice lowering just for me. “You’ll come, right, Becca?”

There’s something expectant in his eyes, and it sends this weird electric thrill through me—a mix of nerves and hope. I want to say yes so badly, but I hesitate for a second, pretending to check my phone, worried it’ll be obvious how much I want to spend time with him.

“Becca?” Oakley grabs my attention.

“Oh, umm…” Oakley lifts a brow. We’ve talked about the relationship between John and me. My effervescent sister-in-law is aware that I have feelings for him beyond friendship, but I could never let myself go there. She promised that Corbin would be happy for me. But she also said, “If John did anything to hurt you, Corbin would kill him.”

My marriage to Dennis is a prime example that love doesn’t always work out, and I never want to come between John and Corbin.

“Sis, we won’t stay long.”

I need to quit worrying about everything and just live in the moment. “I’m in.”

“Stick with me, Bex. I’ll show you my moves,” John says under his breath, and I swear I stop breathing. When did I become a sixteen-year-old girl?