Jess doesn’t answer or glance up but I know she had to have heardme.
“Beaches. You like ’em?” I tap my salad fork against the gold plate at her place setting and that earns her attention. Unfortunately, everyone else’s aswell.
“I like bitches.” Austin laughs and Coy slaps his hand in a highfive.
“Me?” Jess asks with eyes wide. They’re bigger than normal, like she can’t be certain I’m speaking to her and not someoneelse.
Coy wraps his hand around her shoulder and leans over her lap to raise his eyebrows and meet my stare. “We live in California. Of course she loves the beach.” He rolls his eyes and leans back, turning to answer something Austinasks.
Servers bring plates of salad and baskets of bread and I’m thankful that it diverts everyone’s attention. This time I work really hard to speak softly and not slur any words. “Hey,” I say holding the basket of bread forJess.
“Oh, thank you.” She lifts her gaze, her lips pulling up at the edges for a slight smile. She selects a roll and grabs the basket to pass around thetable.
I don’t release my grip though, and it gains her attention. “So, do you? Like thebeach?”
“Oh, yeah. I love it, actually.” Her neck stains and I’d bet if she weren’t wearing that lace cover up I’d be tempted to see just how low the pink travels when sheblushes.
I shake my head to get back to the purpose of my question. “Have you ever been toBali?”
She giggles and, oh God, it’s my new favorite sound. “I’ve only been to SantaMonica.”
“Wait. You’ve only been to one beach before? How long have you lived here?” My eyes are wide withdisbelief.
“Only about six months.” She hands the bread basket to Coy and Austin, but turns her attention back tome.
“Oh, thank God!” I slap my chest as if she’s confessed to not hating puppies. “That’s not so bad. But seriously, we need to get you to the beach more. I’m pretty sure it’s a cardinal sin to live in LA and only visit onebeach.”
She laughs again. “I’m almost certain that’s not a cardinal sin, but if you sayso. . .”
“I do.” I grin and pick up my fork to stab a bite of salad. “If you ever want to go, I’m totallygame.”
Coy clears his throat, leaning into Jess’sside.
I get a thrill that this is bothering him. Me talking to Jess. Me inviting Jess to the beach. My smile widens and I don’t look away from her. “Just don’t wear that white bathing suit of yours. Not much fun if I have to spend the entire time fighting off leering men!” The words come out louder than I intend.Whoops. My bad, and maybe the beer, too. Either way, I regret them the moment they slip through mylips.
No more smile from Jess. No cocky stare from Coy. Even Lexi appears horrified at what I justsaid.
Coy whispers something into Jess’s ear and she nods, not glancing up at all. I don’t know what exactly I said that was so wrong, but I do know saying anything else will only make things worse so I remain quiet, eating the rest of my plate until it’s replaced with another. The main course comes and the MC for tonight, a local radio host who’s interviewed us before, steps onstage to thank everyone and introduce one of tonight’s speakers. The awkward tension is broken but when I tilt my chin to try and catch Jess’s stare, if only to try and express my apologies, I notice two tears drop from her cheek before she can wipe themaway.
Fucker made her cry. All because I opened my big mouth. God damnit.
The night moves on, a few testimonials include children who’ve spent time in the hospital and found health through advances in medical care. It’s incredibly moving and I’m glad I bid on that photo. I’m glad we had the opportunity to entertain guests with our music tonight, and I hope the hospital gets what they need to keep changing lives for thebetter.
By the time they bring out dessert—plates of three different mini pastries—Jess still hasn’t looked up once. She hasn’t said a word either. Not that I’m staring. It’s just I’ve been listening while making small talk at ourtable.
“Babe, if you’re not feeling well, why don’t you go upstairs?” Coy says and that’s all it takes before she’s up with her clutch inhand.
“Do you have a headache? I think I have something in my purse?” Lexi grabs for her own bag but Coy shakes hishead.
“She gets like this sometimes, but it’s nothing she can’t sleep off. Right, babe?” A dismissal. I see it for what it is, and by the flare of Lexi’s nostrils she sees it, too. But the rest of the table isclueless.
“Hope you feel better!” Trent offers, but Jess doesn’t even lift her chin to say good-bye. Only mumbles the words and turns toward the exit. Trent’s lips twist together, along with his brow. “Bro? You’re not gonna walk her up to the room?” He points to Jess. “You can cut out early. You don’t have to stay and hangout.”
“It’s cool,man.”
But it’s so obviously not cool. I expect Trent to say something, or maybe Lexi, but neither challenge Coy’s rude and unchivalrous treatment of his girlfriend. Maybe it’s not their place. Hell, it’s not even mine, but it doesn’t bother me any less. We all finish our dessert as the silent auction winners are announced and thanked fromonstage.
“And wow! This one goes to someone who has already generously supported tonight’s gala along with his talented band. “My Shelter,” photographed by the award winning J. Moreno of Phoenix, Arizona goes to Sean Willis of Three UglyGuys.”
