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NAVY

“Would you make yourself useful and grab the Biscoffs out of the pantry, please?”

Pshh. Kodi would ask me to get her Biscoffs. I, unfortunately, had the misfortune of hearing all about her kinky little escapade with my brother in her office a few months back.

Burn and permanently bleach my brain, please.

I would have lived a very happy and healthy life without knowing all those dirty details.

Kodi being my best friend and also married to my brother comes with its challenges, that’s for sure, but I’m happy for them. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Cal happy, and it looks good on him. Kodi, too.

My eyes follow Kodi around the kitchen—I’m checking out my best friend. Her long brown hair looks teased in a messy, cute kind of way. She’s not quite as tall as me, but she’s got curves I’d kill for. Her bright green eyes and year-round tan make her look like a beach knockout.

Good thing she practically lives there.

“How many people are you expecting, anyway?” I ask Kodi.

“About fifty,” Callaway answers for her, startling us out of nowhere.

He just got home from the gym.

I hand Kodi the cookies as my eyes bulge in shock at the number of guests they’re expecting.

“Jesus, Callaway. You scared me,” Kodi breathes heavily as Cal walks behind her and kisses the side of her head sweetly, watching her organize an array of sweets.

“Angel, don’t you think we have enough desserts?” Cal asks her.

Wrong question, buddy. You never ask a woman why she has so many sweets.

The correct answer is: the limit does not exist.

“I’d suggest you retract that statement, sir. You may have the prettiest ocean blues I’ve ever seen but I’ll be damned if I let you hate on my obsession with baked goods,” Kodi bites back.

I love her. Kodi is sharp and witty—the perfect balance for my positive and extroverted brother.

Cal picks up a brownie bite and turns our way. “Point taken. Great idea, ladies.”

Kodi and I giggle.

Looking around their newly renovated home, the home Kodi once shared with her parents that have since passed, I’m impressed with how lived-in it feels.

For two people who have essentially come from broken homes, in one way or another, they know how to fill a space with love and comfort.

It’s warm and inviting.

They opened up the space by knocking down a wall to create an open-concept floor plan. It’s stunning.

“This place is incredible, guys,” I tell them.

Callaway is transfixed on Kodi, per usual, before looking at me with a warm smile. “Thanks, sis. We love it here. Poppy did a great job decorating it, too.”

Oh, I didn’t realize they hired an interior designer. Cool.

“Oh my god, Navs. She’s incredible. You need to hire her when you get a place of your own,” Kodi says.

Whenever that might be…

“Yeah, maybe.”

It’s no secret Poppy is incredible at her job.

The coastal farmhouse vibe she designed for Cal and Navy is extraordinary and fits their personalities perfectly. Yellow and blue paint the interior in a subtle and tranquil aesthetic, with touches of weathered white and rattan accents. Plants scatter the corners, something that unlike me, Kodi does well at taking care of.

But the natural light that enhances the space is the real winner.

They’ve made this house a home.

“She will be here tonight, actually! You can meet her then,” Kodi tells me about her new friend.

“Oh, for the housewarming party?”

“Yep,” Cal replies. “I’m setting her up with Bodhi.”

Cal’s innocent smile causes a cold chill to run through me.

He’s setting her up with…Bodhi?

Fuck. Why does that hurt so much? Maybe because it’s not me?

I check my face to make sure I don’t give away my true feelings on this new turn of events. “Oh. Does Bodhi know?” I ask him.

Cal nods. “Yes. Told him about it the other day before your date. He seems excited about it.”

Before he helped me paint my room and cornered me about my outfit?

“It’s about time he does something for himself,” Kodi adds to the pain, making me question my best friend’s loyalty.

She knows I have feelings for Bodhi— had feelings for Bodhi. She basically put me back together, making me shiny and new.

Now look at her.

She’s a traitor.

I cut Kodi a look, and it’s anything but subtle, hoping she catches on to my annoyance and prepares her beautiful self for a catfight.

Not really. Maybe. I don’t know. It’s debatable.

But seriously, what the hell, Kodi?

Giving her my best smile, I respond to my newfound enemies before me, “Of course. We wouldn’t want him to miss out on the opportunity. I’m assuming she knows too?”

I can’t even say her name.

I take it back. This house looks like shit. I’d fire her.

Cal looks at me absurdly. “You’re kidding, right? Yes, Poppy knows. And yes, she’s excited. I’ve never seen a woman not get excited about being around Bodhi. The dude is a certified ladies’ man. Except without the personality.” Cal laughs, and if it were any other person, I’d laugh too.

My reaction is masked by the heavy grunt Cal makes as Kodi punches him in the gut, similar to how I feel now. “Watch it,” she tells him.

Kodi disregards Cal before turning her attention from the cake she’s pre-slicing toward me. “It’s going to be a great night, right Navy?”

She winks like she has a splinter in her eye.

“Kodi, what’s wrong with your face?” I ask her.

She stomps, letting out a puff, and I finally catch on to her motive.

She’s trying to get me to be happy for Bodhi.

“You okay, angel?” Cal asks her as he chugs a bottle of water beside her.

“Oh, fine…I’m fine. Right, Navs?”

What is with her today and wanting to get me to be agreeable with everything? She knows that’s not me. I ask questions—I’m nosey.

“Sure,” I tell her.

I need a game plan. I can’t show up to this party alone. Bodhi has to see me happy and moving on without him. It’s the only way.

Especially if he’s bringing Poppy, who I have no idea what she looks like, but I’d imagine beautiful.

I need to look so fucking taken I should be wearing a “property of” neon sign.

I still need to fill the property of part, though.

No matter how hard I try to stay away from him, he somehow always manages to maneuver his way in. Even with the most mundane things…like painting.

Cal nods in response to her before taste-testing a chocolate chip cookie.

Kodi whispers something to him, and I take that moment as my chance to intervene. “So you don’t mind if I bring a date?”

They fling their heads up as fast as the words can leave my mouth. “A date?” Cal asks.

“Did I stutter, brother dearest?”

Cal pauses. “Well, no. But I’m just wondering who you would bring?”

“I’m bringing Briggs,” I decide right this second. Briggs doesn’t know it yet, but he will soon enough.

“Briggs? As in Crew Briggs? The former center fielder for the Strikers. Isn’t he a good friend of yours, Cal? Wait, is this the same guy you went out with the other night?” Kodi questions.

Kodi seems confused. I didn’t get to tell her much about my date the other night with Briggs. She knows it went well and that’s about it. It’s been so long since most of us have seen Briggs after having his daughter, leaving Kodi in the dark about who he is.

They will meet tonight.

“Yes, angel,” Cal responds at the same time I say, “The one and only.”

“Hmm. He sounds hot,” Kodi giggles.

I groan. “You have no idea. So many big muscles. I couldn’t stop staring.”

“Oh boy! Did you touch them?” Kodi squeals.

“Not yet, but I?—”

“Stop, stop, stop. Please, for the love of God. Save it,” Cal requests, looking more uncomfortable by the minute.

Kodi and I break into a fit of hysterics while Callaway rolls his eyes and finally decides to leave us alone, kissing our cheeks on his way out. The second he’s out of earshot, Kodi strikes.

“Navy Willow Hayes.” Her tone isn’t light.

Oh, snap. She full-named me. “What?” I smirk.

“Don’t ‘what’ me! You know exactly what you’re doing.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Kodi.”

She rolls her eyes and the drama returns. “Son of a biscuit, Navy. You are so fucking stubborn. Please explain to me what your plan is.”

I stand still. “Plan for what?”

Abandoning her dessert platter, Kodi walks to my side and stands in front of me, her hands finding my wrists. “Don’t put on a fake face for me, Navs. I know he hurt you.”

I nod, forcing my eyes to stay open so the tears stay locked tight. “He did.”

“So what gives then? Are you actually interested in this Briggs guy? Or is this just some ploy to make Bodhi jealous and get back at him?”

I get why she would ask that. To be honest, it depends on the day.

But I am interested in Briggs.

I close my eyes unwillingly. “I like Briggs, and I think I can one day like him more. I’m seeing where it goes.”

“But he’s not Bodhi,” Kodi states because she knows.

“He’s not. But Bodhi doesn’t feel that way about me and he never has. Now is my chance to give a good guy, who is actually interested in me, a fair shot.”

She nods. “Okay. Well then, I’m happy for you. God bless Briggs, though. He doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into with you, my friend.”

I throw back my head and laugh. “You’re not wrong. But if he can’t handle the crazy, he doesn’t deserve me anyway. I’m a prize.”

“That’s my girl.”