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Emily
The sun’shigh in the sky and I’m sweating just a little bit. I’m lying on a chair next to the pool, which seems a little silly, since the ocean is just a few feet away. But I don’t feel like swimming or getting sandy, so this works great.
The guys are mostly inside hanging out, and I’m alone. That suits me just fine, actually. Henry’s awake and playing host again, so I think a lot of them want to avoid his little sister, since I’m so clearly off-limits for them.
Except apparently James doesn’t really mind that. I keep thinking about that kiss, so surprising but so incredibly good. I felt that spike of excitement, that special feeling you get when a particularly incredible guy kisses you. James gave me that and more, all from a short little kiss, his tongue in my mouth, his taste on my lips.
Maybe it was the painting, or the fact that he opened up about himself. I don’t know what it was, but I knew it was right as soon as he touched me, and I wanted more. But he broke it off and walked away, leaving me hanging. Aiden came out not long later, so I couldn’t ask him about it, but I think I know what’s going on.
He’s afraid of Henry. I get the sense that Henry is important to him, helped to make his career. He doesn’t want to risk hurting Henry after everything Henry’s done for him. That means I’m extra off-limits for him, except he still kissed me anyway.
Which just speaks to him wanting me so much. I don’t get it, not at all. He’s so far out of my league that it’s not even funny, and yet he’s acting like I’m the one worth chasing after. James is gorgeous, intelligent, sweet, talented, and funny, and yet he wants plain old boring me.
I don’t understand it. Even Aiden was flirting with me, which blows my mind even more. Aiden is beautiful and rich as well, although he’s humble and muscular. He’s a blue collar kind of guy, even though he owns the construction company now. But I can respect that. He’s rugged and rough where James is an artist.
And the others, well, I don’t know them yet. I had a brief conversation with Ryan during the party, and I think Daniel was flirting with me a little bit, but otherwise I haven’t gotten a chance. To be fair, I’ve barely been here, and Henry seems to be keeping them busy with his little games and tasks, but still. I want to know all five of them, including my brother.
Things are complicated, though. I don’t know why they would be. It seems like it would be simple, but I can feel this tension in this house and it’s overwhelming.
My phone starts ringing and I look down at it. I grin to myself. It’s a FaceTime message from my mom.
“Hello?” I answer it.
My mom and my dad appear on my screen. “Honey?” dad says. “Can you see us?”
“I see you both,” I say. “How’s it going?”
“Hi from Italy!” my mom practically yells.
“You don’t have to talk so loud,” I say, laughing.
“She says don’t yell,” dad repeats. “Honey, you should see it here. Everything’s so European.”
“I bet,” I say. “How are you guys doing?”
“We’re doing great, sweetie,” mom says. “Your father’s been drinking too much wine.”
“No, I haven’t,” dad says. “She’s just jealous.”
“Jealous? Of how much you love the wine?” Mom rolls her eyes. “Anyway sweetie, how’s Henry?”
“He’s good,” I say. “He has a few friends here.”
“Oh, honey, I know,” mom says. “He told me that.” The screen is suddenly filled with my mom’s face as she gets way too close to it. “Are you outside by the water?”
“By the pool,” I say.
“Why not the ocean? Are you wearing sunscreen? Where’s Henry?”
“Henry’s inside,” I say. “And I’m wearing sunscreen.”
“Okay, good. Are you comfortable? Is he being nice?”
“He’s being great, mom,” I say, laughing.
“Honey, we gotta run,” dad cuts in. “We gotta eat. Pasta!”
I laugh as the phone goes crazy on their end. Dad’s face appears, also way too close. “Bye, honey. I’m going to eat pasta and drink wine and your mother can’t do a thing about it,” he says, like he’s whispering.
