More Than Possess You

“I know. And I’m proud of all that.” Then Echo looks away, sinking her slightly crooked front teeth into her puffy pink lip. “I just wanted to make today about my new life. I woke up feeling like the usual me. I’m an adult, but in my head I’m still a kid since I haven’t done all the grown-up things like start a career, make car payments, worry about taxes…and other stuff.”

Like have sex?

“I wanted to finish the day totally embracing the life I’m going to have. Graduation was a big part of that, for sure. I had a plan to work on some of the other stuff. I even have an interview at three o’clock with a firm I think could be a great fit for me, so I’m excited…” Echo shrugs. “But the rest of my plan fell through. It can wait a few days, I guess.”

Yes, she means having sex. Clearly, she’s not going to tell me—I have a few theories about why—and I can’t confront her with what I know.

I have to tread carefully.

“There’s no rush on anything, Echo. You are an adult. It’s clear you’re a woman and—”

“Is it? Really?” She thrusts a hand on her hip.

I don’t think she means to, but her pose shows off her curves and makes it abundantly clear that she’s all woman.

Seriously, I have to stop looking at her like that.

“Of course. You’ll get a good job, I’m sure. You won’t be able to avoid taxes, trust me. And car payments are overrated. The more adult decision might be to drive your paid-off clunker a bit longer. Anything else you feel like you’re missing out on will come in good time.”

“But I’ve already waited, probably too long because I stupidly want something that will never happen…” Her face closes up, and she shakes her head. “Never mind. Not your problem. I’ll figure it out.”

What is she saying? That she wishes she’d lost her virginity sooner? That she regrets holding out for a fairy tale?

“Don’t give up, huh?” She may not find Prince Charming, but someday she’ll meet someone. He’ll have to be close to perfect to deserve Echo. And before I let him near her, I’ll have to trust that he won’t break my best friend’s heart. If he does, I’ll break every bone in his body. “You got this. I believe in you.”

She gives me a wry smile. “I appreciate the vote of confidence, but one of the hallmarks of being an adult is realizing when it’s time to be realistic. So I’ll reschedule what I’d planned for tonight another time.”

Like hell. She had something more meaningful in mind than a one-night stand with Xavian. She’s entitled to at least that much, and she shouldn’t settle for less. “Echo—”

“It’s fine,” she assures. “You heading back to the office?”

With a sigh, I glance at my phone. Three voice mails, half a dozen texts, and a meeting that starts in under an hour. Fuck. “Yeah. You want to hit Pescada Fresca tonight, just the two of us, to celebrate?”

She flashes me a dismissive smile. “It’s really sweet of you, but I’ve got lots to do. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

After lifting a hand in a half-hearted wave, she heads to her bike. It takes everything in me not to call her back. But what the hell would I do then, ask if I can help with her “problem”? That would be not merely crossing the friend line; that would be stomping it into dust before I bulldozed what was left of it. Besides, I’m no better for her than Xavian. The difference is, I know it. No clue what he’s thinking, but I need to keep those two apart, make sure Echo doesn’t do anything she’ll ultimately regret, and encourage her not to give up on her dreams.

* * * *

Time drags by until Echo, Xavian, and I meet up at the bar in the airport the next day to wait before we board our flight. I order a vodka cranberry. X starts with a spiked coffee since he was at the office until nearly four this morning finishing up the project I had my boss dump in his lap so he couldn’t rub his uglies against Echo last night. Except for another eye-poppingly short skirt, she seems like her usual sunny self again as she orders a piña colada.

“Here’s to our adventure in paradise.” I hold up my glass.

“Amen, brother.” Xavian lifts his mug, then swallows back half of the brew.

“I can’t wait!” Echo looks giddy. “My sisters are really jealous. Eryn assures me I’m going to love Maui and that I’m never going to want to come home. She told me to at least do a drive-by of the Sunshine Coast Bed-and-Breakfast where she and West honeymooned.”

“Then we will,” I promise her. I want to take a drive around the island anyway to see as much of it as I can.