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Her phone vibrates, and she tips it up, reading, her lips curving into a smile. She swipes and types for six heartbeats. I count them. My pulse is roaring in my ears.
“Shon says it’s too early for running,” she says, giving me a quick once-over.
I blow out a sigh. Okay. This is good. She’s still talking about me. To me. That’s a start.
“It’s never too early for a workout.” I give her my most dazzling smile.
She scoffs. “Spoken like a man with zero percent body fat.”
Her gentle teasing is a balm to my anxious soul.
“So kind of you to notice.”
She smirks, gaze raking over my chest in a way that makes me stand taller. “Of course I noticed. I’m not blind.”
And now I want to puff up my chest and give her my best flex.
“Wanna sit?” Katherine pats the sand next to her, and I drop like a stone, hugging my knees so I won’t be tempted to touch her again.
Who am I kidding?
She’s like candy, and I’m going to need a dentist.
Seriously, man. Get a hold of yourself.
I take a deep breath. Last night was a royal fuck up, and it was entirely my fault. Katherine turns her head ever so slightly, glancing at me from the corner of her eye.
“You okay?” she asks at the same time I say, “I’m sorry.”
She angles toward me, her regard open. Curious. It feels bright and warm and like all the good things in life rolled into one.
“I’m sorry I lost it on you,” she murmurs. “You didn’t deserve that.”
She worries her lower lip, and the uncomfortable silence slides between us again, making me twitch. From the start with her, there’s been an ease that I haven’t found with anyone else. She’s always been mature beyond her years. We were two kids growing up in Manhattan, surrounded by anything money could buy and a tacit understanding that sometimes, privilege comes with steep costs.
I fight for that even keel I’ve always felt around her.
“I’ve missed you,” I say, not that it’s a surprise.
She knocks her shoulder against mine, and I breathe a little easier. “I’ve missed you too.”
We stare out at the ocean and I know I owe her more of an explanation. You don’t just walk up to your best friend and devour them without some sort of reason. But I guess I’m chicken because I can’t face the music yet. After last night, I don’t want to rock the boat.
“So, two million dollar girl, how’s your weekend been going?” I try for humor.
“I’ve had better.” Her phone vibrates again, but she doesn’t check it this time. A tiny tendril of pleasure winds through me, knowing I have her full attention. I’ve been greedy for her time, eager to see her.
“What’s going on with your mom? Vic said she’s been showing her colors.”
“You saw Vic?”
“Yeah, of course. I went to your apartment, but you weren’t there.”
“Oh.” She sounds disappointed. But then her expression shifts, and I know what she’s thinking.
“Your menagerie is fine,” I tease. Gah, she loves her plants.
She lets out a happy sigh but then sobers and fills me in on everything I missed, from the auction to Alexander Hunt whisking the three of them out of the city on his helicopter.
