Page 243 of Love in Riverbend
Justin hikes himself up on top of the workbench and opens his can. The shoosh fills the air. “It’s five o’clock somewhere.” Instead of taking a drink, he sets the can at his side and crosses his arms over his chest. “You slept with one of Devan’s best friends and then made her mad again. I feel alcohol is appropriate.”
Shrugging, I open my can. “It’s light beer. Almost like drinking water.” I take a drink.
“I’m waiting.”
I look at my friend. “I told you what happened on the phone. Devan’s graduation party. Everything was consensual, but after I realized she’d never…” Saying the words brings back my feelings of self-loathing.
“You ran like a little girl.”
Pressing my lips together, I give that a thought. “No, the little girl didn’t run. She faced me every time with a smart remark or a sassy smirk. I ran like a coward. I didn’t see that then, but I do now.”
Justin picks up his beer and takes a slug. “Better late than never. I can’t believe she came through for you on the partner dinner.”
I feel the way my cheeks rise, but I can’t seem to stop them. “Not as shocked as I was when I opened my apartment door. It was like a fucking angel descended from heaven to save my sorry ass. And she did too. She introduced me to everyone. I even have a telephone meeting with one of the partners on Monday. He wants to pick my brain about managing agricultural wealth.”
“There’s wealth in agriculture?”
“When you don’t spend all your available cash on home renovations.”
Justin shrugs. “It makes Devan happy. It makes me happy to live in a real home, not one of those McMansions.”
“It looks great. You two worked your asses off.”
“Speaking of ass, are you going to tell me when you last got some?”
My eyes bug out as I cough. “Fuck, no. And don’t go sharing your sex life. Devan’s still my sister, and I haven’t completely ruled out that punch I offered years ago.”
“Statute of limitations. I should kick your ass for Marcus.”
That makes me laugh. “Marcus James. I don’t think you will go out of your way for him.”
Marcus is three years younger than us and a real conceited ass. On the football team, he thought he was the GOAT. One day after practice, Justin and I may have been involved in a prank to make him eat grass. The memory makes me smile as I take another drink of my beer.
“It was Devan’s idea for us to invite you both here,” Justin says, “assuming you didn’t kill each other last night.”
“Nope,” I say, knowing that if I would have died last night, it would have been from my increased blood pressure while fucking a beautiful, sassy brunette.
“Do you think Marilyn will turn around and go home when she realizes you’re here?”
“I hope not.”
Justin’s brow furrows. “You hope not?”
My smile breaks free. “I was an ass before, but now, ten years difference in age doesn’t matter. Hell, she’s accomplished more than I have. I’m amazed by her knowledge and am growing fond of her smart mouth. Of course” —this is the part Marilyn and I discussed— “she would rather never see me again. Maybe this is fate.”
“Do you think the two of you could…?”
“The world beyond Riverbend is lonely. I said it. I’m a pansy.”
Justin jumps down from the workbench. “You’re not. Riverbend was lonely before Devan. I can’t imagine being out with total strangers. At least here is here.”
“I don’t mind the strangers. I’d just also wouldn’t mind a friendly—beautiful smile.”
“Fuck.” He comes closer and downs the rest of his beer. “You’ve got it bad.”
“That’s what Kyla said.”
“Who the hell is Kyla?”
