Page 79 of A Fool's Game

Gem takes another step toward him, feeling the surrender. “Great. So just tell us and we can get to our nap.”

Neither Gem nor I could have prepared ourselves for what comes out of his mouth, though.

“Vicki and I…used to date.”

Stunned silence follows his admission.

Gem recovers first. “You…and her?” It’s more of a stutter than a question, but it gets Ainsley talking again.

“Not for a long time. We met doing a volunteer trip and then moved here to Faraday together. She got a job at the resort teaching Pilates, and I bummed around the island, avoiding my dad, who was trying to get me to start college. It wasn’t serious. It was just, I don’t know. After a few months, I took off, like an asshole. I didn’t say anything, I just left. My dad showed up right around that time after being tipped off that I was on the island, and…well, the rest is history.”

“Your dad stole your girlfriend?” I finally manage a few words as my mind reels. I walk up closer, beside Gem, as if the proximity will help me understand.

Gem elbows me. “More like his ex-girlfriend stole his dad.”

Ainsley shakes his head. “Neither. It’s totally fine.”

“It’s fucked up, that’s what it is.”

“No, man. It’s totally okay. She and I were more like friends with benefits anyway, and then I bailed on her and she found someone new. That’s how it goes. We’ve worked it out, the two of us. The three of us. It’s all good now.”

I’m dying to badger him about those benefits—and if he ever talks about them with dear old dad—but Gem can apparently read my mind and moves in to comfort him before I can attack.

“Thanks for telling us, Ains. That’s huge. I’m glad we know so we can support you.” She tosses a look over her shoulder that tells me I better fall in line.

I’m still too stunned to argue. “Totally, man. We’ve got your back.”

“Thanks. Now let’s get this stuff upstairs so we can nap, okay?”

Chapter 28

Gemma

I’m not sure if what I’m feeling is jealousy or competition or some kind of twisted animosity, but I dress to kill for our dinner date with Ben and Victoria.

Taylor lets out a long whistle as I emerge from the bedroom and stand at the top of the white tiled steps leading down to the main living space. “Looking hot, witch. This climate suits you.”

I laugh and take the handrail to get myself safely down the stairs in the three-inch heels I bought years ago for graduation and haven’t worn since. “I brought all the clothes it’s never warm enough to wear in Seattle.”

“I think we need a full fashion show. What do you say, Ains?” Taylor tosses the question over his shoulder as Ainsley appears from the lower-level bathroom where he disappeared to shower.

Taylor doesn't whistle this time. He doesn’t say anything at all, just stares.

My curiosity grows at his uncharacteristic quiet and I hurry down the last few steps to get a look at Ainsley, who’s now standing in the kitchen.

I gasp when I see him.

He does resort casual like he was born in it. Which, hell, he probably was.

Cream colored slacks fall looser than his normal pants, with a hem that was no doubt put there just for him landing above sand-brown woven loafers. His sky-blue button up, almost sheer with how light the material is, hangs open over his bare chest.

“You look like you work for the mafia,” Taylor says finally with a small laugh.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Ainsley responds, pulling at his collar in a way that really does resemble a mafia boss in a TV show.

“I might have to stay home. I’m not sure they’re going to let me in the restaurant with you two looking like that and me in my old shorts and T-shirt.”

I want to tell him he looks handsome just as he is, which is true, but I keep quiet as Ainsley comes forward, looking him up and down, considering.

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