Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 89012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“I got to swim with pigs.”
I drop my jaw. “That’s the takeaway here? After all I’ve done for you?”
She giggles, her eyes twinkling.
“I’ve fucked you and fed you and taken you shopping—I bought you a beautiful forty-dollar wedding ring,” I say, holding up her hand with the ring on it. “And you say you got to swim with pigs.”
She cups my cheeks and smiles. “I got to swim with pigs with you. Better?”
“Slightly.”
She laughs. “I’ll give you one more chance to be more memorable than the pigs. But you better hurry because we have a flight—ah!”
I flip her onto her back and take advantage of the offer. Even though I might just get lucky and have more opportunities in the future than I thought.
I hope so, anyway.
TWENTY-TWO
Ashley
“Hi, honey! I’m home!”
I pull a Sara and close the door with my foot. But, unlike Sara, I’m clad in flip-flops and not fancy stilettos.
Rebecca and Sara spring to their feet—a plate of Doritos spilling to the floor—and nearly tackle me in the entryway. As much as I dreaded coming home, I’m so glad to see them.
My bags hit the tile with a thud. “I was only gone a few days.” I laugh as they pull me into a wiggly group hug.
“We want all the details,” Rebecca says, pulling away.
“Start with the bedroom stuff.” Sara leads the way into the living room. “I’m glad the water was pretty, and the beaches were great, but I want to hear about the sex.”
I dig in my bag and pull out two small boxes. Then I head into the living room.
“I can start with the bedroom stuff,” I say, dropping one of the boxes in Sara’s lap and the other in Rebecca’s. “But the good stuff was the pool stuff. Bathroom floor stuff. Against the windows, kitchen counters, on the steps—which was mildly awkward, but I highly, highly recommend.”
“Start with that,” Becca says, her eyes wide.
Sara laughs and opens her box. “I take it that it went well.”
It went well? Ha.
I take my seat on the end of the couch and let my mind do what I know it’s going to do for probably the rest of time—float right back to Maddox.
I don’t think he stopped touching me in some way from the moment we left the suite until he escorted me to my car in long-term parking. He held my hand, touched my leg, had his shoulder touching mine—something at all times. I’m not sure if he realized he was doing it, but I didn’t complain.
My cheeks flush. “This is the moment when I humbly come to you and express my sincere gratitude.”
“He was that good?” Sara looks at me through her lashes before going back to the box. “Oh, what’s this?”
I grin as she pulls out the beaded coin purse with a snap clasp. “Mad took me inside this little shop to buy a metal bird—don’t ask. And I saw those and thought of you and the random coins that are always all over your car.”
“What a good idea and how beautiful.” She clutches it to her chest. “Thank you.”
Becca gasps. “Ash …”
Sara and I turn to her. Becca’s eyes are wide and full of unshed tears as she takes the earrings and bracelet out of the box.
“I saw them and had to get them for you,” I say, her reaction making me emotional. “The earrings are pretty, but the bracelets felt like you—with the cord and all. I know you love things like that.”
She sniffles and sets them gently back in the box. I steal a glimpse at Sara and notice her lowering her guard, smiling softly at our friend too.
“I do. I love them,” she says. “You’ll never know what they mean to me.”
“Okay, enough,” Sara says, shivering. “Thank you for the gifts. We love them. They were unnecessary, but we do love presents, so there’s that. But if you guys want to get all gooshy about this, do it once I’m gone. I don’t want it tainting me.”
I giggle.
“What’s on your finger?” Sara points at my left hand. “That’s a little suspicious.”
“Oh, this little thing?” I wiggle it in the air. “That would be my wedding ring.”
“What?” Becca laughs.
“Mad bought it for me as a joke. I forgot I had it on.”
Sara’s eyes widen, and she nods knowingly. “I see.”
“What do you see?” I ask.
“I see it too.” Becca grins. “We were right, Sara. I wonder if we get to be bridesmaids?”
“What are you talking about?”
Sara scoots to the end of her chair. “Look, we can be double maids of honor, but I get to plan the bachelorette party. And I’m not wearing blue. Cool tones on this skin are a no-go.”
I burst out laughing. “Slow down, fairy godmother. We’re not even in a relationship, so don’t get too far ahead of yourselves.”