“Sorry.” Sasha laughed. “Kaitlyn, I had a quick question for you. Cole, can I steal her for a minute?”
“No problem.” I squeezed her hand.
The girls wandered out of earshot. I stared at the fire. A few minutes later she wandered back.
“What was that about?” I looked at her.
“Sasha asked me to be a bridesmaid in the wedding.”
“Uh oh.”
She sat.“What? Are you against bridesmaids?”
“No, but that means you’ll have to do all the girl stuff. Showers, bachelorette party, and whatever else goes with that job. You are going to be busy between now and the wedding.”
She looked worry. “Do you need me at home? Is it too much with Grayson? Maybe I should have talked it through first.”
I laughed. “No, darlin’. I know it’s a big deal for you and Sasha. I can handle a few lonely nights. We’ll have guys’ night with his train show.” I twirled a lock of hair over her shoulder, drawing her to lean closer.
“Want me to get another drink for you?”
“No. I have to get up early for work. I should probably head back anyway. My leg is starting to take over.”
Her brow furrowed. “I can’t leave without making sure Mary Ellen is ok.”
“She’s a big girl. I think she can take care of herself. Swim with sharks and—”
“Aiden isn’t going to hurt her. He’s not like that.”
“I’m not saying that, but you can’t try to tell me he’s one of the good guys.”
She sighed. “I don’t know what he is. But maybe I should stay to make sure Mary Ellen’s ok.”
I saw the disappointment in her eyes. “Come home with me, baby.”
She looked over her shoulder at the beach. Her gaze met mine.
I leaned toward her lips, brushing them with a hungry kiss. “Come on. She’ll be fine.”
Kaitlyn nodded and we walked back to the house together.
18
Kaitlyn
This could not be happening. I watched from the office window as my best friend locked lips with Aiden, and it wasn’t an innocent kiss. It was a primal, I-might-rip-your-clothes-off-in-the-parking-lot, hot, heavy, and slow kiss. It might go on for days the way they were lost in each other. I turned several times, but every time I swiveled in my chair, I caught a peek of Aiden’s arms wrapped around her, the edge of her T-shirt sneaking up her hip. They were all over each other. I hung my head. Well, this explained why there wasn’t Aiden’s usual to-do list under the door this morning when I walked in the office.
I clutched my coffee in my hand as Mary Ellen tore herself off him. He hopped in the convertible, honked twice as he passed the office, and sped down Gulf Boulevard.
Thirty minutes later, Mary Ellen appeared in the office, glowing. I couldn’t pinpoint what it was exactly. Her skin, her eyes, the smile that wouldn’t fade.
“Kaitlyn, that was the best night of my entire life.” She fell into the open chair.
“I’m glad you had fun at the bonfire.” I stood to pour a cup of coffee for her.
“I’m not talking about the bonfire.”
I spun on my heels. “Tell me you did not sleep with him the first night.”