Page 89 of Freckles

Jared snorts with laughter but can hardly deny the charge. For my part, I can’t remember hooking up with Hailey but don’t doubt her recollection. Prior to Francesca, everyone is just a blur.

I rest my eyes, leaning so the jets of water massage my back. A sixth sense tells me when Francesca ventures outside and I open them again, raising a hand. “Come join us.”

She walks close enough to bend and test the water, then steps away. “I don’t have a swimsuit.”

“Neither do we,” Hailey assures her. “Just strip to your underwear.”

Francesca’s nose tips into the air as she hugs herself, looking more uncomfortable by the second.

“It’s okay,” I say. “No one cares what you’re wearing.”

I shift to the seat nearest the rail, smile widening as she peels off three layers, each baggier than the last, then gingerly inserts her foot into the water.

“Shit, girl. Did you grandmother hand that underwear down to you?” Jared chuckles while she blushes.

“Say another word,” I growl at him, tucking her against my side and making sure most of her is obscured beneath the bubbles. “I’ll buy you something fancier tomorrow. And get you a proper bikini in time for beach season.”

She pulls a face. “I’m a redhead. We don’t have beach season. We have cower-inside-and-curse-the-sun season.”

“Then we’ll go swimming at night.”

“Speaking of men paying for shopping expeditions…” Hailey says and Jared groans.

“Finance it yourself.”

“You’d make me take it from my mother’s benefit?”

Francesca shifts inside my embrace. “Your mother’s on unemployment?”

“Nah, that’s just what I call the obscenely large payment my father gives her each month for my upkeep.”

“He’s the owner of HomeTechnic,” I explain. A nationwide chain of stores selling computers and other electronics. Judging from Francesca’s expression, she’d hoped to find another girl in financial straits, and instead stumbled upon another billionaire.

“But that doesn’t stop anyone from buying me nice things,” Hailey adds, tossing her hair. “Like a sweet tiara I found that matches my ball dress to perfection.”

“I haven’t even asked you to the winter dance,” Jared grumbles.

Hailey cups a hand to her ear, leaning close, making me laugh.

“Fine,” he says with an exasperated snort. “Would you like to go to the dance? We can go Dutch.”

“Cheapskate.”

I stretch my arm farther around Francesca, cupping her hip. “Do you want to go? We can shop for a dress and shoes this weekend.”

“Don’t say yes until he adds in jewellery,” Hailey says, beaming at her. “For you and your new best friend.”

“Rented,” I counter like it’s a negotiation. Then I turn back to Francesca. “My uncle’s got a new jewellery contact he’s checking out this week, up in Auckland. I’ll see if he minds us tagging along.”

Hailey’s eyes light up even further. “Deal!”

“Hey,” Francesca interrupts, her foot pushing Hailey’s knee. “Don’t I get a say?”

I chuckle, ignoring how she stiffens at the thought of meeting my uncle. It has to happen sometime, and a shopping trip seems a nice way to cushion the experience. “Only if you say yes.”

“Do I get to pick the dress?”

“You do, and I’ll select the lingerie,” I say, my lips buzzing against her neck. “Not just for the dance.”

---