Secure Love (Wet & Wild 3)

“Kallie, it’s almost eleven o’clock. You need to come downstairs and eat.”

She opened her eyes, but instead of staring up into those warm hazel orbs, she was staring into the brown eyes of her best friend. Kallie furrowed her brow and lobbed her head over, taking in the small clock next to her bed.

“Holy crap,” she said.

“Yeah. You slept the entire day away,” Eris said. “I wanted to wake you for dinner last night, but Jeremy kept me from doing it.”

“Why?” she asked sleepily.

“All he would say was ‘you didn’t see her face.’”

Kallie nodded as she sat up, amazing that she’d slept so late. Maybe it was because she had cried herself to sleep. Or maybe it was because her body really needed the rest. Or maybe ... maybe it was because Ash had been there. Holding her hand and walking down the shoreline of the Hamptons with her. Smiling down at her and holding her close as their toes sank into the sand.

“Come on. Jeremy made brunch.”

“Wait. He cooks?” Kallie asked.

Eris laughed as she left the room and Kallie got dressed. She pulled on her bikini and threw her dress back over her head before she went downstairs. Her only plan for the day was to relax on the beach out front and do absolutely nothing. Then she could come back, take a bath, then fall back into her dreamworld where the man of her heart still smiled at her.

Still held her.

Still cared for her.

“So, any plans for the day?” Eris asked as Kallie came into the kitchen.

“Just the beach and then a bath,” she said.

“Sounds like a good plan. I’m in,” Jeremy said with a grin.

Eris eyed him carefully and he cleared his throat.

“You know, minus the bath part,” he said.

“A day of absolutely nothing sounds good. Can we join you?” Eris asked.

“Since when have you ever asked for anything?” Kallie asked.

“I know you’re hurting. I think it’s bullshit that you hurt because you should get rid of Ash and have fun with your life. But that doesn’t mean it works that easily for everyone. So, I figured we could join you. Go down to the beach. Spread out a blanket. Maybe swim in the ocean and have some wine.”

“There’s plenty of wine here,” Jeremy said. “My mother’s addicted to the stuff.”

“That’s what happens when a woman raises four boys,” Eris said.

“You have three other brothers?” Kallie asked.

“Yep. And I’m the youngest. My childhood was shit,” Jeremy said.

Kallie popped a piece of melon between her lips as a smile graced her cheeks.

“There she is,” Eris said. “There’s my best friend.”

“A glass of wine on the beach does sound good,” she said.

“Red or white?” Jeremy asked.

“Why not both?” Eris asked.

“I knew there was a reason I liked you,” he said.