Page 79 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

“Flirting?” He scoffs. “You wish.” Knowing we all just witnessed him lose this round, he goes and grabs a beer from the fridge.

With that sideshow moving to the next town, I say, “I think we should take a breath and reconvene to discuss the options we come up with later. Does that sound like a plan?”

Marlow’s already opening the back door. “I’m getting fresh air.”

Amanda’s right behind, tucking her hair behind her ears. “Fresh air is a great idea.”

Cade angles to kiss Cammie’s cheek. “Why don’t we lie down and try to take a nap? Emotions are high, but once rested, we can come up with an even better plan.”

She nods. Glancing at me, she says, “Thank you,” before taking his hand and going upstairs.

Jackson is lost in his thoughts, the argument with Marlow seeming to affect him. That’s unusual. He’s such a happy-go-lucky kind of guy, so I’m surprised he’d think twice about it. Taking another long pull from the bottle, he then lowers it and says, “I’m going to catch up on some work in my room.”

“Okay, man,” Rad says. When we’re alone, he scoots a little closer. “Let’s go for a ride. Just you and me.” There’s a renewed happiness reflected in his eyes. It’s hard to look away from him when he exposes an emotion he usually hides.

“Where do we go?”From here?

His arm tightens around me. To everyone else, we only look like friends, but for us, it’s a connection that’s deeper thanappearances. I cherish these small moments together that feel stolen from an ordinary day. “We can go into town to do some shopping.”

“That sounds fun. I just need to get my purse from upstairs.” We walk into the foyer, and I take a few steps. With my hand on the banister, I shift onto one foot, feeling a little nervous. “I want you to know I don’t regret anything.”

He smiles, and it’s so genuine that my heart squeezes. “Me neither. No regrets whatsoever.”

I smile and start running up the stairs.

“Hey, Bell?”

Just before I reach the landing, I turn back, already grinning. “Yeah?”

“You broke your promise and ravaged me.”

Laughing, I say, “I think you set me up to fail.”

“How so?”

“You know how irresistible you are, and you used it against me.”

“What’s the point in owning the tools if you don’t use them?” He starts chuckling, and says, “Can’t blame me for using all my best assets.” I smile coyly.

“Don’t worry, Welly. I might have a fewassetsof my own. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

His tongue slides across his lower lip as he takes me in from head to toe and back again. “I just bet you do.”

“Revenge is going to be so sweet that I can already taste it.” With a wink, I take the last step nice and slow, giving one of my best assets a little wiggle so he can see exactly what I have to offer.

“You’re killing me, Bell.”

“I haven’t even gotten started.”

25

Rad

I thought we’d at least reach the town of East Hampton.

I thought wrong.

In a restaurant parking lot five minutes from the shops, we’re in the back seat of my mom’s Mercedes SUV. It’s not as roomy as I thought it would be back here. But Tealey and I are managing the best we can. I’ll take cramped spaces with her than extra legroom without.

---