Page 8 of Wish You Were Mine (Kings of Eden Falls #3)

“See? I told you guys,” Bash said, assuming that he’d guessed the night that had been the inspiration for her song. “That’s exactly what I was saying. Right?”

“What are you talking about?” Alessi asked.

Miles chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. “Bash thinks the song’s about him.”

“Ohhhh,” Alessi said, her brow furrowing like she was only then connecting the dots. “That’s…I guess that makes sense… We did start dating around that time, didn’t we?”

“We were sitting next to each other during the fireworks, right?” Bash asked, like he was picturing that night right then. “Good times…”

“Yeah, it was a really good night,” Alessi said, licking her lips, her gaze briefly darting to Miles. “Quite the memorable weekend, actually.”

“So, is the song about Bash?” I leaned forward, not sure she’d actually confirmed Bash’s theory yet. “Were secret sparks igniting during the firework show on the yacht?” I asked, paraphrasing her lyrics.

“Yes, sweet stepsister of mine,” Miles said, resting his muscular arm on the edge of the hot tub. “Was our buddy Bash the muse for that number one song of yours?”

“Uh…” Alessi’s face turned a little paler.

“I get that musicians find inspiration from all kinds of places,” Miles offered when she didn’t say anything else. “So would it be more fair to say that multiple experiences might’ve inspired that song? Not just that magical night with our buddy Bash?”

“Y-y-y-yes…” Alessi said the word slowly, a sigh escaping her.

“I mean, that party was definitely influential. I have some fond memories of it.” She paused, glancing at Bash.

“But I don’t want you to think I’m, like, pining for you every time I sing that song on stage.

I’m sure that would be pretty awkward for you, considering we only dated for like two months. ”

“I didn’t think you were necessarily pining for me.” Bash smiled, clearly pleased that he’d been at least somewhat right in his assumptions about the song. “But yeah, it’s a great song. Totally deserves all the success that it’s found.”

“Thanks,” she said, her gaze briefly flicking between all of us, but lingering on Miles for a beat longer. “It’s been a crazy six months, that’s for sure.”

“I bet,” Bash said. “But it’s nice to know I left a small impression.”

“I mean, who can forget their first summer fling before college?” she said, her usual confident smile returning.

“Apparently, not you.” Bash winked. “But I’m sure it was quite thrilling to date a pre-med student going into his senior year at NYU.” Bash was now in his last year of medical school, just about to start his residency.

“You know it.” She chuckled. “Though, I’m pretty sure the fact that you were at NYU while I was at Eden Falls University made our relationship end that much quicker.”

“Long distance tends to do that, doesn’t it?” Bash shook his head. “If only you’d been a little more patient, though. Dr. Aarden is hooking me up with some of his connections in New Haven for my residency, so I’ll only be twenty minutes away from Eden Falls next year.”

“If only my eighteen-year-old self had known I’d only have to wait five years for the long-distance thing not to be an issue.” Alessi laughed. “Oh the fun we could have had.”

“It’s okay.” Bash shrugged. “We’ll just have to see what happens next year.” He winked.

I was about to ask Alessi if there were any other memorable moments that made it into her album when the back door opened and Lucy and Nora appeared in the doorway behind Ky, making my heart give an involuntary skip.

Both girls were bundled in bathrobes when they stepped outside, clearly more prepared than me for the cold dash back inside.

When they approached us, it seemed like they were trying to figure out where to sit in the crowded hot tub.

But then a couple of girls on the opposite end said they were just about to go inside and kindly offered up their spots.

"Thank you,” Nora said, giving them a quick smile.

While we waited for the girls to climb out, Ky looked over at everyone and asked, "You guys want to play 'Never Have I Ever'?"

“Sure,” Bash said.

"Yeah, that sounds fun," Alessi chimed in.

“You gonna get us something to drink? " Miles asked, shifting in the water. “Because once I get out of this hot tub, I’m not getting back in."

“Of course,” Ky replied, looking at Nora and Lucy. "We’re still dry. You two willing to help me get everyone’s drinks?”

"Sure," Nora and Lucy said together.

“Probably just water for everyone at this point, right?" Ky glanced around at the group, who all nodded in agreement. It was getting late, and no one wanted to start the New Year with a hangover.

So with that, off they went to grab the cups.

By the time they got back, the other girls had exited the hot tub, and there was enough space for the seven of us left to get comfortable.

"Here’s your cup," Lucy said, stepping up to the edge of the hot tub and handing me mine.

"Thanks," I said, taking it from her. Then, noticing she still needed to take off her robe before getting in with her water, I asked, "Want me to hold your drink while you climb in?"

"That would be great, thanks.”

I took her cup in my other hand, trying not to stare as she took off her robe to reveal a bright pink bikini.

But even though I was trying to be a gentleman, I couldn’t help but notice that the girl was ripped.

Dang. How did she get muscle definition like that? Did she lift weights for work? Was she a fitness instructor? Because abs like hers didn’t just appear out of nowhere. She had to work out a lot .

When Nora climbed into the hot tub, I glanced at her, and to my surprise, she was just as toned.

Did they work out together, then? Maybe that was how they spent their free time.

Some people worked out for fun, I guess. I mean, just because I had to use lots of mind games to get myself to the university’s weight room these days didn’t mean it was the same for everyone.

"You can sit next to me if you want," Miles said to Nora as she was about to take the seat next to Alessi. "Bash was just saying he wanted the moon to his back for this game, so he’s going to take the spot next to Alessi if you don’t mind."

Had Bash actually said that? No, but it seemed like Miles was actually trying to play matchmaker, setting Bash up next to the ex-girlfriend he’d been flirting with all night.

It was either that or Miles had decided to kiss Nora at midnight and needed her in the prime location for that to happen. I mean, with less than thirty minutes to go, the seating arrangements were pretty important if we were going to continue Ian’s New Year’s Eve challenge.

“Works for me,” Nora said with a shrug, like it didn’t matter where she sat before settling into the water beside Miles.

“And hey, Owen,” Miles said glancing at me next. “If you scoot over just one seat, there’ll be room for Lucy next to Nora. I know how inseparable these two are."

"Oh sure," I said, moving one seat to my right. "No problem."

And when Lucy slid into the now empty spot between Nora and me, I made a mental note to thank Miles later for helping us get the seating arrangements right.

Now all that was left was for me to figure out if Lucy was even single before making a move.