Page 47 of Ocotillo Kisses
“Why don’t you relax and enjoy your party? Everyone can look out for themselves.”
“Okay.” She slipped into the water and dipped her head back to slick her hair back from her face. As warm as today had been, the pool water was cool, so best to immerse her whole body.
When she looked back at him, she saw a heat in his gaze that both agitated her and pleased her. If they were alone, she would swim under him, slide her body along his. Tease him. See how much self control they each had.
Good thing everyone was here, then.
But even as she tried to let herself enjoy her company, she was aware of whether or not they seemed to be having fun. Javi, for example, just sat on the edge of the pool, his feet dangling in. He had lost a lot of weight since high school, and the muscles in his chest and arms showed he put a lot of work into his appearance, but he seemed to have no interest in getting into the water. Poppy and Sofia hung on the sides of the pool and paddled their legs in front of them as they talked. Ginny took Lacey’s son from her and bounced him up and down in the water.
Britt’s heart constricted for just a moment.
“I prefer the smile to this,” Con said, trailing a finger from her forehead to her lips. “Where’d you go?”
She shook her head and smiled up at him, realizing she didn’t have any friends back in Houston who would trust her to hold their baby.
Or do much else, really. She worked so hard, so long, that she hadn’t really taken much time to make friends. Maybe that was why she was having some envy here. If she lived here, she would have friends but no career. In Houston, she had a career, but no friends.
Which life would she prefer?
Britt was torn between being the hostess and enjoying herself in the pool. But she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Con, with his work-hardened body and his trunks that sagged a little below his waist.
“You might want to see to that drool there,” Lacey said when she sat beside Britt on the side of the pool, and pulled her daughter into her lap.
Britt blinked at her a moment, and Lacey winked.
“I know that look. And yes, he looks great.. But everyone is noticing you notice him.”
“Hard not to look.”
“I agree. He was always handsome, but he sure grew up nice. Nice being the operative word. Con is one of the best people I know, and he will give you anything you ask of him.”
“I’ve seen that.”
“So we’re going to be pretty protective of him, because he doesn’t always look out for himself.”
“I’ve seen that, too. But if anything does happen, we will both be clear on our expectations. I’m not staying here. I can’t. I won’t.” She hadn’t voiced the possibility of them getting together before, and her words sounded harsh to her own ears.
Lacey gave a soft laugh and shifted the top of her bathing suit to settle her daughter in for her dinner. “Beck said the same thing.”
Britt slipped into the water before she worked up the nerve to ask about Poppy and her feelings for Con. She didn’t really want to care. She didn’t want to hurt the other woman, though, and just wondered if Con would be better off with Poppy, even though he didn’t seem overly enthused by the idea.
