“I slept. I sleep better with her here,” I admit quietly.
“Good. You know I hate you going out on the water when you’ve been up for so long.”
“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t do that with Aurora.” I stand. “Come on, she convinced me to stop by the coffee shop again on the way home, and we grabbed you some coffee and some pastries.”
Drake stands and stretches, arms over his head. My mouth waters at the sight of him shirtless.
“Stop looking at me like that,” he rasps, pushing me toward the door. “Let’s go hang out with our girl and we can play later.”
“Promises. Promises,” I quip, making him laugh.
Twenty-Three
Ifollow Liam outside to the back deck. The day is already hot despite the fact the sun hasn’t been up all that long. The pool water ripples, begging for someone to jump in.
Soon.
Giggling catches my attention. I turn and see Aurora sitting next to Ezra, laughing at something he said.
That’s new.
“What are you two talking about?” Liam asks as he takes a seat next to her.
“He was telling me about the first time you brought the guys here and the trouble you got into.”
“You didn’t.” I chuckle as I sit down.
“I did.” Ezra smirks. “Who the bloody hell thinks it’s a good idea to take all the keys to all the four-wheelers and Jet Skiis that the lifeguards use?”
Liam groans. “I gave them back and it’s not like they were busy. It was at dawn.”
Ezra looks at him straight-faced. “Forgive me. I didn’t know that people couldn’t drown before a specific time.”
“Yes, what time does drowning occur?” Aurora giggles, shaking her head. “That’s such a fucked-up statement to make. I can’t believe it came out of my mouth honestly.”
“If that’s not a fantastic sound to walk out to,” Santi says as he saunters out.
He walks right over to Aurora and leans down, kissing her. “Good morning.”
A beautiful smile takes over her face. “Morning. How did you sleep?”
Santi pulls away and takes a seat on the other side of Ezra. “I slept all right. It would have been better if you were in bed with me though.”
Aurora winks. “Maybe tonight then.”
Santi hums, looking pleased as he picks up his cup.
Ezra clears his throat, looking disappointed. “Everyone has their tasks on their phones. Does everyone have their content posts scheduled?”
“I’m good,” Santi says.
Drake nods. “I scheduled for both Liam and me. We’re good for the next couple of days.”
We all turn to Aurora right as she takes a bite of a strawberry. She covers her mouth and nods her head. “Technically, I’m good, but I would like to take some photos while I’m here and post those, teasing people that I’m here.”
I look over and point at the pool with an infinity edge that looks like it drops into the ocean. “I think we should take some pictures of you in there.”
“A silhouette photo. Hair slicked back, pressed against the edge, looking into the ocean.” Liam nods. “Maybe lose the top, so the strings don’t show.”
