Page 73 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

She leans down, matching my position. I cock an eyebrow, and say, “I have an idea.” With our fingers aligned on the cabinet, I move mine to press against hers. It’s not enoughbecause apparently,nowwhen it comes to her, I want more. I lift my little finger and wrap it over hers.

Catching a smile on her face, she laughs. “What is your idea?”

“I know a way you can help me relax.”

“Does it involve a bed, a locked door, and just the two of us?”

I lean a little closer, my eyes locked on her lips. “It does.”

“That—”

“Why are we up so early on a Saturday?” Jackson bellows as he enters the great room. I pull my hand back to my side and stiffen upright.

While I move around the island, putting distance between Tealey and me, she replies, “Because a beautiful day beckoned us to enjoy it.”

Jackson heads straight to the table. “I’m starved.” He glances at us. “Have you guys eaten?”

“No,” I reply. “Go ahead. Anyone up for a walk on the beach?”

“Me.” I expected Tealey, but it’s Cammie, coming in from outside, who takes me up on the offer. “I’d love to go. We never get to talk anymore.”

It’s not like I don’t want to walk with Cammie. She’s great, and I always enjoy spending time with her. I just thought this would go a different way. “It has been a while.”

“All that champagne and . . .” Tealey eyes me. “Activity last night has me famished. I’m going to make a plate and join your mom on the deck.”

Cammie grabs a pair of sunglasses from the counter, anchoring them on her head, and then looks at me. “Let’s go.”

When we start crossing the lawn, Cade cups his hand to the side of his mouth. “Just have her home by curfew, brother.”

I shoot him the bird.

“Inappropriate, Radcliffe,” my mom says just before we’re out of range. I chuckle because sometimes it’s fun to push her buttons.

Stopping to blow him a kiss, Cammie quick steps to catch up with me.

When we reach the beach, she leaves her shoes on the edge of the lawn before dipping her toes in the sand. I kick mine behind me, and ask, “How’s life treating you?”

“Good. You?”

“Good.” She’s a good friend, but I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say, so I just start talking. “Actually, every time I open my mouth lately, I seem to get caught up in another person’s plan.”

Using her hand as a visor, she looks up at me. “You’re spread too thin.”

“It would help if I could get work under better control.”

“I’m coming to realize I have no control. My whole life revolves around planning this wedding, so much so that I’ve forgotten how I filled my time before this took over. At this stage, I’ll be lucky if Cade marries me. I’ve become a nightmare to live with.”

“He loves you. Crazy in love with you. So I’m sure he doesn’t mind. We should all be as lucky as him. He found his soul mate and his much better half.”

We stop with the wind at our backs and our toes in the water. “Honestly, he’s the better of the two of us. I can’t wait to put this extravaganza behind us and just be married to him.” She looks at me. “Tealey said you’re not working late every night anymore.”

“Some nights. Whatever I can get away with.” I shove my hands in my pockets, unsure of what I want to share versus what I like keeping private for Tealey and me—like last night.

She starts walking again, so I do as well. Approaching a large pile of driftwood, we part and walk around it. Hidden from view of the house, she asks, “Can we talk about the secret you’re hiding?”

My eyes shoot to her. “What secret?”

At the edge of the ocean, she pushes a log toward the water with her foot. “Tealey told me about you.”

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