Page 21 of By His Play

“It can change,” she warns as she shrugs off her robe, throwing it onto the closest lounger before quickly climbing into the water.

I want to comment on just how good her ass looks in the suit, but I refrain.

Any other woman I’ve ever met would want to hear just how hot she looks. But not my best friend. She’d rather I tell her she looks ugly and unattractive—which I’d never do, because she’s not. Both inside and out, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. It’s why we’re still as close as ever despite the many differences in our lives.

“Good, right?” I ask, joining her and sitting on the opposite side so I can observe her.

She lets out a long breath before her eyes find mine.

“You might have been right,” she reluctantly admits.

“I’m sorry, I think I got a bubble in my ear. What was that?” I tease, a smug grin wide across my face.

“You were right. I needed this,” she says again in a rush despite the fact she knows I heard her loud and clear.

“I know,” I state proudly. “I know exactly what you need.”

She shakes her head again, and I can’t help but laugh at the small smile playing on her lips.

“Just think how happy Grams is going to be later when you tell her about how well I’ve treated you.”

I expect her to laugh, or maybe agree, so I’m shocked when she tenses.

“What?” I ask, a frown pulling at my lips.

“N-nothing,” she stutters, making me even more curious about her reaction.

Lifting her hand from the water, she fidgets her ring around her finger.

It’s not an unusual move for her, but she usually only does it when she’s nervous.

I remember watching her at school when we were getting ready to sit a test. Whether it be a ring, or necklace, or even a pen, she’d be constantly fidgeting with it.

“That’s pretty,” I say, nodding toward the diamond ring she’s twiddling.

She gasps again, and her hand sinks beneath the water.

“It’s nothing special,” she says in a rush.

“What’s going on?” I ask, my voice taking on a more serious note.

Effie studies the bubbling water for long seconds, and I quickly conclude that she’s not going to respond.

Scooting closer, my thigh bumps against hers beneath the water.

“Effie?” I whisper, reaching out to tuck a loose lock of hair behind her ear. “Whatever it is, you can tell me. I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”

She nods, letting me know that she’s hearing me, but she still doesn’t respond.

Resting my arm across the back of the jacuzzi, my fingers brush her shoulder, and shock forces her to turn and look at me.

Her eyes bounce between mine as she fights some kind of internal battle over whether to tell me what she’s thinking about.

“I mean it, Effie. Anything you need, anything you want, all you’ve got to do is tell me. I’d raise hell for you if necessary, and you know it.”

Her mouth opens and closes. She’s right on the cusp of saying something when a soft voice rings around us.

“Good morning. Are you two ready for your treatments?”

---