“Holy crap. That’s a lot to drive all the way there and then turn around and come back.”
“Yeah, so that’s why I’m calling. We’re just going to crash at home tonight and then drive back tomorrow. Tell everyone we’re sorry, but this is just for the best.”
“Sure. Yeah. I get it.”
“Did Mike and Loren come back?”
I tell him about that whole situation.
“Wait, so…then you and Olivia are like…stranded, and have the entire house to yourselves?” he asks with amusement. “Damn, you lucky son of a bitch.”
I’m trying hard not to preen, but yeah. I’m feeling pretty damn lucky right about now.
“What time do you think you’ll be back tomorrow?”
“We haven’t had time to talk about it, but I’m guessing mid-afternoon. You know I hate getting up early when I’m on vacation.”
I laugh. “Yes, I’m familiar with that rule.”
“I know I made light of it, but…are you sure you and Liv are going to be okay? We all essentially abandoned you.”
“Yeah, it’s a real hardship having this giant beach house to ourselves,” I deadpan.
He laughs with me. “Hey, I had to ask. Not that I can do anything about it. I’m stuck driving back to Raleigh, and I’m pretty sure Vanessa’s going to stay with Roxie tonight. So now I’m all alone when I’m supposed to be hanging out with my closest friends.”
“I get it, but you’re doing a good thing. Did Vanessa tell you all the details of what happened here?”
“Oh, all of it,” he tells me. “And I reminded her this never would have happened if we hadn’t gotten booted out for the day.”
“Maybe. I just feel bad for Roxie.”
“We do too, but Van’s also worried about Olivia.”
“Really? Why?”
“Because this is the sort of thing that’s going to make her retreat again and possibly leave earlier than she planned. There’s nothing really keeping her here for the month. I mean…I guess you are, but…how is that even going to work with the two of you once we all leave next week? Have you guys talked about it?”
I glance over at where Olivia is leaning against the side of the hot tub with her back to me. She hasn’t pulled her bathing suit back up and even though it’s not what I should be focusing on at the moment, I can’t help but be entranced. Have I ever admired someone’s back before? Definitely not. But now, I can’t seem to tear my gaze away, even though Zayne is droning on and on about how bummed he is about being alone tonight.
I watch as Olivia shifts slightly and the play of shadows and light on her back is like a canvas of quiet sensuality—elegant in its curves, evocative in its softness. There’s a delicate strength to her; the gentle slope of her shoulders giving way to the graceful dip of her spine, a path that begs to be traced by curious fingertips.
I remember kissing my way down that path last night.
Swallowing hard, I think about how there’s something undeniably intimate about the way Olivia—well, Olivia’s back—responds to my touch. The way she shivered under the whisper of my breath, how her muscles tensed and relaxed beneath my slow caresses. She shifts again, tilting her head to the side, and I swear the hollows at the base of her neck are begging to be kissed right now.
“Ash? Dude, are you listening?”
“Um…yeah. Sure. Sorry. Liv’s on the phone with Vanessa and I guess I just sort of latched on to their conversation for a minute. So you’re bummed about being alone tonight, huh?”
His response is to laugh, and I know I’ve been caught not paying attention.
“Alright, go and enjoy having the place to yourselves tonight. I’ll text you tomorrow when we get on the road.”
“Thanks, Zayne. Drive safe and please tell Roxie we’re thinking about her and hope she comes back.”
“Will do. Tell Liv we said hey. Talk to you tomorrow.”
I hang up, tossing my phone safely away from the water before I settle in again to watch Olivia. She’s still talking, but I can’t hear anything she’s saying over the sound of the jets. I’m just enjoying this moment of being able to look at her without her noticing. I’m memorizing the curves and gentle lines, the way her hair is a dozen shades of blonde up in its messy bun. I want to tug it free and watch it cascade over her shoulders.
