Page 26 of Shifting Sands
“What about me?”
“How is it that a stunner like you is still single?” I ask.
The corner of her mouth goes up. “You think I’m hot, huh?”
I press a quick kiss to her lips. “Of course I do. Now answer the question.”
She rests her head back against my chest, cuddling into my side as she starts to respond. “I’m in this strange phase of life where I still want to do all the things I should have gotten out of my system in my twenties—like going out and dancing all night, traveling the world, and just enjoying the freedom of being young. At the same time, I feel like time is slipping away, and I want to settle down, start a family, and embrace this stage of life without feeling suffocated by the responsibility that comes along with it. Ugh, I don’t know. I probably shouldn’t even be sharing this with you,” she says, letting out a yawn.
“Why not?” I ask.
“Because you might think I’m just a crazy woman, looking for a baby daddy,” she replies, her eyes growing heavy as she snuggles in deeper. “But don’t worry. I’m not. Besides, that ship has probably already sailed.”
Before I can question her further, her breaths become heavy and even. I glance down to see that she’s fast asleep, so I close my eyes and join her.
“You’re kicking me out?” I ask as she shoves my shoes into my hands and backs me toward the door.
Damn. Can’t say this has happened before.
“I’m not kicking you out. I’m saving us both from the interrogation that will happen if you’re still here when Erin and Jena wake up,” she murmurs.
“Your friends don’t bother me,” I say as she pulls the door open and looks outside, glancing from Sebby’s house to Sebastian’s.
“Yeah, well, they bother me,” she quips.
“Can I at least get your number?”
“Sure,” she says as she follows me out onto the porch. “Give me your phone.”
I drop the shoes so I can hand her my phone. She taps the screen for a moment, then hands it back to me.
“There. Don’t be a stranger,” she whispers before turning and shutting the door behind her.
I tug my shoes on quickly and walk down the steps. When I reach my truck, I get in. Still clutching the phone in my hand, I pull up my Contacts and scroll to the B’s. There is no Brandee listed, but there is a new entry for Barfly. Chuckling, I tap the screen and wait. She answers on the third ring.
“Hello?”
“Hey. It’s me, Brew. Not being a stranger,” I say as I put the key in the ignition and start the truck.
Brandee
“Thank you,” I say to the barista as I take my latte and join the girls at the small wrought iron table outside.
I brought the girls to Rest Ashore Café, a tiny beachfront coffee shop I found. It’s a beautiful morning. The sun is warm and bright, and there’s a light breeze coming off the ocean.
“So, how was your romp?” Jena asks.
Erin scrunches her nose. “Romp?”
“Yeah, I heard it used on a historical show about Catherine the Great. I like it. We should use it more.I’m bored. Think I’ll have myself a jolly ol’ romp with a stranger,” Jena says in the worst British accent.
Erin rolls her eyes and then focuses on me.
“It was good,” I mutter.
“Good?” Erin screeches. “This blueberry muffin is good.”
“Okay. It was incredible,” I admit. “The man is beautiful, and he’s really good with his hands, and his mouth, and the rest of him.”
