“Sorry?” She blinked and realized both her friends were staring at her. “What?”
“We were talking about the kitchen. What do you think of the counters?”
“I—” She couldn’t think of anything except Zach, the midnight black of his eyes as he’d held her gaze and surged into her. The heat of his mouth on hers as they’d shared every breath. “I think you should do whatever feels right to you.”
Or maybe not.
Sex with Zach had felt utterly right at the time and utterly wrong five minutes later.
For years he’d been a mistake in her past and now he was right back in her present.
“Is something wrong? You’re very distracted.” Emily stirred the chowder. “I called you twice yesterday and you didn’t answer. I was about to drive over when you texted.”
“I was catching up on some things, that’s all. I did some reading, answered some emails—” Sat on the beach, stared at the sea, wondered what the hell it was about Zachary Flynn that drove her to do crazy things. What was she going to say next time she saw him? Their relationship had been complicated before, but nothing compared to now. “I put my phone down somewhere and couldn’t find it.” The thought of what Emily might have found had she driven over made Brittany vow never to let her phone out of her sight again. “Were you calling for a reason?”
“Ryan was giving Lizzy a sailing lesson and I was going to ask you to the Ocean Club for dinner. I wanted to hear what happened at the hospital.”
“It was uneventful. I have to keep the cast on a while longer. Which means I’m doomed to be bored and cross for the rest of the summer.”
Bored, cross and sexually frustrated.
“You could help Lisa at Summer Scoop. Her business has really picked up over the last couple of weeks. Sky, there’s a fresh loaf from The Beach Bakery in that bag. Can you slice it?” Flustered, Emily checked the chowder again and then turned her attention back to Brittany. “Is that why you’re upset? Because you were hoping the cast would come off?”
“I’m not upset. I’m just impatient. You know me.”
Unfortunately they did know her, which was why neither was prepared to accept that explanation.
Skylar sliced fresh bread into chunks. “Is Zach the reason you’re upset? Did something happen when he flew you to the hospital?”
Before Brittany could reply, the door opened and Ryan walked into the kitchen.
“Do you need any help with the food?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Emily’s face was pink from standing over the stove, wisps of hair falling around her face. “I may not be an experienced cook but I can follow a recipe.” She glanced nervously at the pan. “At least I think I can.”
“It smells delicious and that was a genuine offer of assistance, not veiled concern.” Ryan strolled across the room and wrapped his arms around his fiancée. “Don’t turn into one of those women who imagine things that aren’t there.”
Skylar cleared her throat pointedly. “You’re in a room with three women and hot liquid. Think before you generalize based on gender or we might add certain delicate parts of you to the chowder.”
Wincing, Ryan kissed Emily and then released her, hands raised. “Hey, I’m as simple as I look. All I want is food.” Dodging Skylar, he reached for the bread. “We can start with this. The three of us are dying of starvation.”
“The three of you?” Emily tasted the chowder. “Lizzy is supposed to be asleep.”
“She is asleep. I checked her ten minutes ago.” Ryan found some plates for the bread. “Zach is here.”
Brittany felt her insides turn over. Those were the three words she least wanted to hear. “Zach?” Her voice didn’t sound like her own. “Why is he here?”
“Because I invited him.”
“You—? Why would you do that?” Emily stared at Ryan, appalled, and he raised his eyebrows.
“Because he’s our friend,” he said slowly, “and as our friend, he’s welcome in our home.”
“But—” Emily shot Brittany an agonized look. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea he’d be here or I would have warned you.”
“Why does she need warning?” Ryan looked baffled. “He flew her here on her first day, drove her home from the store the other day, flew her to the hospital and back—I assumed everything was cool between you guys.”
“Oh, Ryan!” Emily looked at him reproachfully and he looked at her blankly.