Page 20

OLIVIA

T he restaurant is loud, the atmosphere is festive, the food is freaking amazing, and Ash’s hand is on my thigh.

All in all, I can’t complain.

I can, however, kick myself for being such a bitch earlier.

I mean, I’m not stupid. I know Ash is nothing like Matt and I don’t even know why I threw that out there. It was possibly the dumbest thing I’ve ever said to another human being.

Or…

It’s a defense mechanism and I’m trying to protect myself from making another mistake.

Oh God! Have I been sabotaging myself for years? All because of Matt?

I still remember the day I’d caught him cheating on me.

The first time.

I was shocked, outraged, and devastated. Looking back, I want to smack my younger self because there was zero reason for me to feel any of those emotions. After all, Matt had cheated on his previous girlfriend with me.

Now, some would say—and they did—that it was karma and I got what I deserved, and they were right. I was no better than Matt when I fooled around with him while he was dating someone else.

I just never expected such a long game in the payback department.

“Liv? Do you want another margarita?”

Ash nudges me and I realize I’ve zoned out and everyone’s looking at me, waiting for a response.

“Um…sure! Thanks!”

“I thought you were in a guacamole coma!” Roxie teases, and we all laugh.

As the meal goes on, I relax more—and cut myself off after my third margarita—and by the time we’re ready to leave, I tell myself that I’m going to apologize to Ash when we’re alone later.

In his bed.

Yeah, I still can’t believe I’m doing this, but I didn’t order the earplugs or the sleep aid, so there’s no way I can sleep in the same room as Roxie and the dogs tonight. So, for at least another night, I’m crashing in his room.

“Okay, I just ordered the car,” Mike announces, holding up his phone. “They’ll be here in seven minutes.”

We all knew we were going to be drinking and decided not to drive. Using a rideshare app just made way more sense than making one of us be the designated driver.

Although, I probably should have volunteered after all the extra drinking I’ve done in the last few days.

Maybe tomorrow I’ll shock everyone with that offer.

In the meantime, we pay the bill and finish our drinks before slowly making our way toward the door. Ash’s hand softly rests on my lower back as we walk, and I’m really loving it.

Just like I’ve been loving it every time he touches me.

And he does it a lot.

Sometimes it’s just something small, like gently touching my arm to get my attention, or resting his hand on my thigh at dinner, and now the whole back thing.

When our car arrives, it’s actually an oversized SUV to fit all of us.

We climb all the way to the third row of seats and it’s a tight fit, but Ash’s arm goes around me to hold me close.

My face is practically buried against his throat, and I’m surrounded by his fresh, citrusy cologne.

And yes, I inhale it because I can’t seem to stop myself.

Ash must notice because he holds me a little closer and he kisses my forehead.

It’s oddly sweet and tender and I realize it’s been a long time since I’ve felt that from anyone, especially a guy.

It’s been a year since I’ve been in a relationship and that one was very casual.

I have a feeling getting involved with Ash could ruin me for every other guy, but the longer we stay like this, the more I want to take that chance.

Am I rushing things? Is this too fast? Am I crazy because I’ve known him for only a handful of days?

No.

I justify that reasoning because I’ve taken things slow with guys I’ve known for much longer and it didn’t change the outcome.

I’ve also rushed into things with guys I’ve known for years.

What makes this different is that there is a connection with Sebastian that I never felt before.

It’s scary and exciting and when I look at him, my heart aches with a need to just be near him. That has to mean something, right?

And it’s not that wave of lust or excitement you feel when it’s…well…lust.

Been there, done that, and this isn’t the same.

This is…me wanting to talk to him, to sit and watch TV with him, or to sit outside and watch the sunset.

Do I want to sleep with Sebastian in a sexy way? Hell yes! I’d have to be dead not to. But I know I’ll be fine if we don’t take that step yet.

But a little making out in his bed in our jammies would go a long way in making the wait more tolerable.

My hand now rests on his thigh, and I hear his small hiss followed by an almost indiscernible groan. I smile against his throat.

“Behave, Liv,” he murmurs.

Tipping my head back, I smirk up at him in the darkness, batting my eyelashes innocently. “What? I’m not doing anything.”

His grin is a little wicked and he leans in, his breath warm against my ear, and whispers, “I’m going to enjoy paying you back for this.”

I shiver with delight because in my mind, I’m already envisioning the type of payback I want from him. Unfortunately, we won’t have the hot tub to ourselves, but that’s something I’d definitely enjoy—naked hot tub time. Or skinny dipping in the pool.

It’s pointless to keep going with that train of thought because unless we find a way to get the other five people we’re staying with to all go out and stay out for hours, it’s never going to happen.

Dammit.

“We should have stopped for ice cream!” Roxie calls out. “I could really go for a sundae or a milkshake right now! Is it too late to turn around and go back into town?”

“There are multiple cartons of ice cream in the freezer and plenty of toppings in the pantry and fridge,” Vanessa answers. “You can totally make whatever you want back at the house. Just don’t eat or drink it in the hot tub, please!”

“You are such a buzzkill!” Roxie huffs but immediately follows it with a laugh. “And I don’t think I’m going in the hot tub tonight. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone on so many long walks with the dogs. I’m kind of beat. So, I’m going to make my sundae and call it an early night.”

Okay, that’s one down…

She leans forward and grins at me. “Not that I think you guys need to know this, but…Gunnar’s not going to try to sleep in your bed tonight.

So just…FYI, Liv, if you want to sleep in our room, the coast is clear.

” Then she winks dramatically and giggles.

“But I’m sure you’d rather snuggle up with Ash and not risk my big yellow lab trying to spoon with you again! ”

Oh, Lord…tipsy Roxie is a riot.

Not.

“When we get back to the house, do the dogs need to go for a walk?” Ash asks.

“They do, but I’m not taking them on the beach again. It’s too dark, I’m too tired, and I’ve had a little too much to drink.” As if on cue, she hiccups. “I can just take them out front and hopefully that little patch of grass will be enough.

“No,” he assures her. “I’ll take them for their walk. You go in and have your ice cream and I’ll take care of the dogs. They’re probably eager to go out for a bit after being alone for the last few hours.”

For a minute, Roxie doesn’t say a word, but then she leans forward and looks at me. “Liv,” she whispers loudly. “This one’s a keeper. Honestly. I told you he was a great guy. Hold on to him with both hands, ’kay?”

“I think someone needs to carry her up to bed!” Loren calls out.

“Ooh! Can Mike do it?” Roxie says with a bark of laughter. “I’ve always wanted Mike to carry me up the stairs! You know, because he’s a fireman! Can you do that, Mike? Please?”

Everyone’s laughing, but…

“And it’s not only because you’re a fireman!” she goes on. “But because I trust you. You’re like my big brother, and I know you won’t do anything to hurt me. You’re the best.”

Okay, that was a big admission, but before anyone can really process it, we’re pulling up to the house.

It’s like slow motion chaos for all of us to pile out, but we eventually make it. Ash holds my hand as we walk up the stairs to the door, and once we’re inside, we stand in shock as Mike scoops Roxie up in his arms and immediately heads up the steps.

“Wow! That’s impressive,” I say.

“Isn’t he great?” Loren says with a sigh. “That’s why I love him. Well, that and a million other reasons.”

Aww…adorable.

Ash turns and smiles at me. “That’s my cue to get the dogs. I’ll be back in a little while.”

“Are you taking them down to the beach or just up and down the block?”

“I’m thinking just up and down the block. It will probably be quicker that way.” He squeezes my hand before releasing it and he makes it to only the third step before he turns around. “Would you like to come with me?”

“Oh, um…”

“She can’t,” Loren interrupts. “We are going to change into our bathing suits and get the hot tub started up. You take care of the dogs, and I promise she’ll be waiting for you. Byeee…”

He laughs softly and walks away. Once he’s out of sight, I turn to Loren and frown.

“What the hell? Maybe I wanted to go on a walk with him.”

“Stop. No, you didn’t. You want to help me set up the deck and put on some music.”

“I do? Because that doesn’t sound like me,” I tell her.

“Hey you guys, Zayne and I are going up to bed. I’m super full and I just really want to binge-watch something and relax. The thought of sitting in the hot tub is making me feel a little queasy.”

“Then go upstairs!” Loren says, nudging her toward the staircase. “No one wants you to get sick in the hot tub! Go! Quick! Hurry!”

“Okay! Okay! I’m going! Sheesh!” Van snaps.

Zayne comes strolling out of the kitchen with a bottle of wine and two bowls of ice cream.

Loren and I both stare and smirk, and Vanessa looks mildly chagrined. “Fine. Sue me. We wanted a little time alone. Can you blame us? This is a lot more togetherness than I expected.”

So many things are on the tip of my tongue, but I keep them to myself.

“I told you so! I told you so! I told you, told you, told you so!” I sing in my head.