“Then let’s forget all about him. I’m so nervous that I’m about to see Rick for the first time. How do I look? Be honest.”
“You’re gorgeous, and he’ll be crazy if he doesn’t think so.”
We gathered our things and left the plane. After our luggage pick up, we went to wait in the bar, against my better judgment. Kayla ordered a cocktail and sipped it as we waited for Rick to arrive.
I busied myself listening to an old man who was in the middle of telling the bartender dirty jokes and had a crowd laughing around him. Kayla screamed as he delivered the punch line, and I looked around to see her diving into the arms of a man I only hoped was Rick, her online boyfriend of four months.
Their lips met, and he held her tight to him, gripping her lower back and one ass cheek. For a brief moment, I wondered if he was going to take her down to the floor and have his way with her right there.
From what I could tell, he was a tall man, with an athletic build and a tanned complexion. His hair was slicked back, and it wouldn’t have surprised me if it took him longer to do his hair than it took me to get ready for the day.
Behind whom I assumed to be Rick was vision. He was a tall, broad-shouldered handsome man, with hard blue eyes that contrasted with his dark brown hair. His hair was thick and wavy and stopped right above his shoulders. There was something about his eyes that seemed to penetrate right through me. If I had my camera on hand, I would have to fight myself not to take a shot of him. Of course, that would be risking a first impression of being a complete nutcase and potential stalker.
His lip curled up as if at any moment he would bare fangs. His size intimidated me as he pushed his hands deeper into his pockets, shifting on his feet and looking bored.
His eyes met mine, and his demeanor changed a bit. His face softened, and he looked away, and cleared his throat.
“Sorry, man,” Rick said, finally coming up for air. “Kayla, this is Reed Harrington. He’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember.”
Kayla stumbled a bit but giggled as she held out her hand and gave Reed a warm smile. Reed narrowed his eyes as if trying to determine what was wrong with her. Then his gaze slid in my direction.
“Oh, this is my best friend, Bella. She had to hold my hand on the plane. I’m afraid I’m not a very good flyer.”
“Have you been drinking?” Rick asked.
“It’s okay, I barely sipped it.” She gave me a look as if begging me not to say anything. I wondered if Rick had something against her drinking.
But then he put those impressions to rest. “Let’s get you girls loaded up, checked in, and then go have a real drink. I’m in need of a little celebration too. Reed?” He turned to see Reed’s reaction, and the guy grunted and lifted a shoulder.
“Whatever, man. It’s early.” He hefted up my luggage as Rick grabbed Kayla’s and we headed out o
f the bar and to the parking lot. It didn’t take long to get to the huge four-door truck, and once our luggage was situated, Rick and Reed talked a moment alone. Rick jumped in the driver’s seat, and Kayla climbed in beside him. Reed was stone-faced as he climbed in, taking a seat next to me.
After we went to the hotel and checked in to drop off our luggage and freshen up, Rick took us down the street to a bar where Kayla ordered her fourth drink of the day.
“You might want to slow down a little,” I said, leaning in. “We didn’t eat much today.”
“If you’re hungry, there’s a burger place next door. Reed can walk you over if you like,” Rick offered.
Reed, who’d barely said two words so far, simply nodded.
“No, thanks.” I didn’t want to put the man out, but not only that, I didn’t want to leave Kayla alone with a man she barely knew to go wander off with one I didn’t.
Reed leaned in close. “I don’t bite, and there’s no reason to starve.”
“Maybe we could go someplace after?” I looked to Kayla, and she threw her arm around Rick.
“Could we go eat after? I’ll be famished by then.” She put her forehead to his and then the two were suddenly in a lip lock that showed how comfortable she was with him.
“Suit yourself.” Reed seemed put off and got up from the table to go across the room where he disappeared into the crowd. He didn’t seem to be enjoying himself in the least.
About that time, a girl came over, pulling on Rick’s shoulder. “Is this your latest victim?”
Rick put his arm protectively around Kayla and then angled her to his side. “Go on, Cindy. No one wants your drama.”
“My drama? Don’t let him fool you, sweetheart. He’s the love ’em-and-leave ’em type. So don’t go getting attached. He was with me last month, now you, and it will be someone else before you can put your panties back on. It’s how he plays.”
Kayla, who by this time was well into her drink, glared at Rick.