Page 95 of Rum Sips and Salty Lips

“Yeah. I had to change the sheets this morning. It doesn’t smell like you anymore.”

“Shame. If only you had a key to my place and could sneak into my bed while I’m gone.” I could give him the garage code. I have his door code. We’ll be back late tomorrow. If he’s in my bed waiting for me, I’d speed for once in my life.

I want this so bad.

“It is a shame. But I think before I accept a key we’d have to tell people we’re together.”

My heart stops. I don’t want to have this conversation now. Not while I’m in a fancy bathroom and my friends are wonderingwhere I am. I don’t know how to respond to that statement. The only thing I know for sure is I love having him to myself. I love the way our relationship is now. It’s safe and I can protect it and I’m not worried about the fallout. Us failing was an abstract concept before, but now I’ll be devastated even if no one knows. The shame will only be a part of it. After the public humiliation with my company, I can’t have anything else go wrong where people can see it.

“Orion…” I start, but there’s a knock on the door. “Shit. I have to go.” I hang up before he can say anything more. Fuck, I should explain to him.

I open the door and ignore the glare of the woman waiting. I send a text in the hallway since there’s no way I can at the dinner table.

Me

Sorry, I was hogging the bathroom.

Orion

It’s fine.

Me

We’ll talk when I get home?

Orion

Sure. Night.

Fuck, I’ll have to smooth this over somehow.

When I get to the table, both Sienna and Haley give me dirty looks in the most loving way possible. Our food arrived, and they were waiting for me to start eating.

“What took you so long?” Sienna asks, her fork digging into her maple BBQ kebab.

“Sorry, I…um.” I shouldn’t lie. There’s no point. “Orion called.”

“Oh?” Haley’s voice lifts into a question.

“Hey, no guy talk allowed,” Sienna corrects. “Wait, why’d he call?”

“To check in. You want to hear how the guys’ sailing day went?” If I can get them talking about the sailing trip, then I can talk about Orion a little longer. I don’t have to feel bad for thinking about him.

“Let me guess—Beckett and Hamilton got super drunk.” Sienna knows her fiancé well.

“Basically,” I confirm. Orion didn’t mention it, but I know those two. “Also, Hamilton is looking to get back with me.”

“That’s nice of Orion to give you a heads-up,” Haley comments.

“Yeah, he’s a good friend.” It’s true. None of this is a lie.

“Did Orion mention anything else?” Sienna asks, with a certain tone suggesting she thinks I’m holding back.

“No,” I lie. “Plus, it’s girls’ night. No boys allowed!”

“Fine,” Sienna says. “Is he going with them to the distillery?”

“He sounded tired, so I doubt it. But if you want someone to track Beckett, I’m sure Christian will,” I say.

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