Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Another fucking lie.
“Are you sure?” Ariel asks. “Because I was thinking, maybe we should just switch. You take Sebastian for lunch, and I’ll take Brett. I’d be okay with that.”
I raise my eyebrows at her. Really? That’s going to make this all better? “What makes you think I would be okay with that?”
Her cheeks redden, and she looks down at the table. “I just thought… I don’t know.”
I breathe in, hold it a few seconds, and then exhale. I don’t want to lose Ariel’s friendship, and I’d love to share lunch with Sebastian, but if we trade we’ll be in the same situation we are now. Only knowing one of the men. “No,” I say. “We keep our dates. The whole idea is to get to know all four of the men. You’ll have a chance with Alex this evening and Sebastian tomorrow.”
An odd sensation nuzzles the back of my neck at Alex’s name. That spark again—the one I didn’t see coming.
Perhaps I’m envious of Ariel not just because of her lunch with Sebastian, but also because of her date this evening.
I gaze across the table at Ginger and Rachel, who are talking in hushed tones. “Shilling for your thoughts,” I say to them.
Rachel goes pink all the way down her plunging neckline. “Just chatting,” she says.
“About what, pray tell?”
“Our upcoming snorkeling adventure, of course.” Ginger smiles and drains the last of her mai tai.
“Right. I see.” I glance at Ariel, who’s trying to hide the fact that she’s watching Brett, who’s talking animatedly with his table mates—River, Misty, and Sienna. Misty and Brett are both naked, but River and Sienna still have their suits on.
Sienna smiles at me and waves. I wave back.
I rise. “Excuse me for a moment.”
Alex hasn’t returned, and Ariel gives me a pleading look.
“Be right back,” I whisper to her, and then I walk the few steps to Sienna’s table.
“Hey,” Sienna says. “You want to sit down, Emily?”
“No, no. Just thought I’d come over and say hello.”
“Please, sit,” Brett says, standing and giving me an eyeful. “Thank you for choosing me. I look forward to our lunch.”
Brett is pretty-boy handsome, but that body… All the men are ripped to the nines, but Brett’s muscles have muscles.
“Yes, please join us, Emily.” Misty gives me what I assume is a fake smile.
“I’m just going to borrow Sienna for a moment, if you don’t mind.” I tug on Sienna’s arm.
She stands. “Sure. What is it?”
Once we’re out of earshot in a corner near the stairway heading below deck, “One of us should ask Ginger and Rachel what’s going on.”
“Is that any of our business?”
“Absolutely! If the two of them are into each other, that means there’s only six of us vying for the men’s attention. It’s a good thing.”
“That’s all you,” Sienna says. “I couldn’t possibly ask them. I’m the wallflower of the group. The one who’s afraid of her own shadow.”
“Rubbish. You were no wallflower on the dancefloor last night, and you’ve gotten more so far than any of us. So your fiancé dumped you. So what? You were too good for him.”
“He’s a former NFL player. He’s rich. He’s hot.”
“Hot I’ll give you. But he’s not as rich as any of the men here. Let it go, See. You’re gorgeous, you’re smart, and you have Alex Dawson panting after you.”
There’s that pang of jealousy again. Am I that into Alex? Didn’t see that coming at all. But Ariel gets him to herself tonight, and my name wasn’t drawn for a date.
Sienna sighs. “No longer. But I’m dealing.”
“I hear you. Sebastian hasn’t given me a look today. But so what?” I say, hoping I sound more confident than I feel.
“Right.” Sienna nods firmly. “So what? But I’m not asking Ginger and Rachel. You’re the one who says whatever you want. You do it.”
“Emily, Sienna, come back here.” Brett waves to us from the table.
“Fine,” I say to Sienna. “I’ll do the asking. But you’re coming with me.” Then I link my arm with hers and go back to the table.
“Here we are.” Sienna retakes her seat.
“Sit, Emily.” Brett rises and holds out the extra chair for me.
“Thank you.”
“I have an idea,” Brett continues, “and I want to know what you three ladies think of it.”
Misty bobs her head up and down, clutching River’s arm. “I can’t wait to hear it!”
I hold back an eye roll. It’s clear who she wants. Does she think River will choose her? Is that what that fuss in the hot tub was about, when she claimed one of the men had already chosen?
“I haven’t run this past Riv yet, or the others, but what can I say?” Brett shrugs. “It just came to me.”
“Can’t wait,” River says in that dark way of his.
“I’m sure you can’t, buddy.” Brett chuckles. “I’ve thought of a new game.”