Page 115 of Learn Your Lesson

It was absolutely adorable.

Around us, the party was in full swing. Music wafted over the pool from speakers above the outside kitchen. Chef Patel was on the grill, clamping her tongs at any man who tried to take her place, while the rest of the crew either worked on setting up sides, snacked on the appetizers we had out, or chatted away in the shade of one of the many umbrellas.

Grace was in Jaxson’s lap in a lounge chair, both of them soaking up the sun and struggling to keep their hands — and mouths — off each other.

It wasn’t until Vince went by and flicked Jaxson hard on the ear that they broke apart.

When Arushi called Ava up to eat, I helped her dry off, high-fiving Carter before he ambled toward the guys, and I made my way to where the girls were congregating around a bottle of champagne on ice. Livia poured a tall flute for me and handed it to me as soon as I arrived under the shady pavilion, wrapping a beach towel around me.

“For you, beautiful,” she said, bowing a little as the glass left her hand and slid into mine. “You are too cute with her, by the way.”

“Seriously. I think that little girl’s eyes turn to stars when she looks at you,” Grace offered with a smile and lift of her sun-kissed cheeks.

I took a sip of the champagne, all of us watching where Chef was helping Ava pile her plate up.

“She’s the best kid,” I said softly.

“Truly,” Maven agreed. “And I’m not sure I’veeverseen that man so happy.”

She nodded to where Will was standing in a circle with Carter, Vince, and Jaxson. Vince was showing them some kind of golf stance before Jaxson jabbed him hard in the ribs and nearly sent him toppling into the pool.

When Will laughed, the girls gasped, and I didn’t miss how the guys balked at their goalie.

“Did he… did he justlaugh?” Livia asked, blinking. She looked like a million dollars, white bikini blazing against her rich brown skin, nails painted a glossy red, gold hoops hanging from her ears and a body chain that matched draping from her neck down to her hips.

“He’s been doing that all day,” Grace said, shaking her head. “Jaxson and I were talking about it. Specifically,about how that never happened beforethis onecame along.”

She nudged me in the hip, drawing my attention back to them. When I saw the way they were all smirking at me, I flushed.

“Oh, stop,” I said, waving them off, but I couldn’t hide my victorious grin at the sight. I’d accomplished my mission of making that grumpy oaf laugh, and now that I had, it seemed he couldn’tquitlaughing.

It was the best.

“No,youstop,” Maven said, her smoky voice teasing and light. “Girl, we are not blind.”

“Or stupid,” Livia added with a tilt of her glass to her lips.

“That man can’t keep his eyes off you. And you light up like a sky of fireworks every time you catch him looking.” Maven folded one arm over her lean stomach, balancing the elbow of her other arm on her wrist with the champagne flute hanging daintily from her fingers. “Care to share with the class whatthat’sall about?”

Shit.

I hoped the panic I felt racing through me didn’t show on my face, that the roll of my eyes and easy smile on my lips was convincing. One of Will’s number one rules was that no one find out about us.

And no matter how badly I yearned for advice from these girls, I wouldn’t betray his wish.

Even though I desperately wanted to. I wanted to pull them to the side and divulge every detail. I wanted to see iftheycould figure him out, if they could tell me why one minute he was worshipping my body and laughing in my sheets and asking about my life, only to shut down and run from me in the next breath.

I wondered if they would know the layout of this game better than I did, if they’d be able to see something I didn’t.

Because everything in my body, heart, mind, and soul said that Will Perry wanted more from me than just sex, thatwewere more than just sex.

But any time I’d lean too far into that belief, he’d remind me with his words, with his actions that we had a deal.

And that deal was sex and sex only.

“Listen,” I said, lowering my voice and leaning in like I had a big secret.

The girls all widened their eyes and leaned in, too, ready for me to spill.