Page 13 of The Right Guy
“Kim has tickets for Lux. I’vedecided toput on my big girl knickers and go to the party.” A hint of a shiver rippled through my muscles when I thought on it. As if sensing my trepidation, he cuddled me closer.
“Wow. I guess our little stroll on the beach helped. Next time, you’ll be brave enough to put those cute little toes into the water.” His face angled, allowing him to look directly at me. A proud smile reached his sparkling eyes.
“Cute?” I scowled.
“Yeah. Cute. Smart. Irritating. Funny and beautiful.” He grinned. “But definitely, irritating.”
I thumped his chest and giggled. “If I were that irritating, you wouldn’t spend so much time with me.”
“You’re nice to look at. I guess that makes up for it.” Kim glanced at me, and I went quiet. “Speaking of our beach walk, I made this for you.” His hand slid into his close-fitting jeans pocket, and when it withdrew, a fine gold chain swung loose, holding it high. A smooth jade-colored stone, the size of a pea, swung like a pendulum. “What do you think? I saw it on the seabed while I swam.”
It was striking and delicate—enchanting and special. It was mine. “I love it!” I carefully collected it from his fingers, opened the tiny clasp and hooked it around my neck. The charming pebble pendant fell at the contour of my breasts, nestling into my heart. “You really made this, Theo?”
“I did. I’m good with my hands.” He chuckled. “When you wear it, think of how we walked along the shore together, and how safe you were with me.” He tapped the pale green stone resting near to my heart. Straightaway my skin warmed at the intimacy.
“Theo, you’re so thoughtful.” I peered up at him and swallowed back the instinct to yank his face down and kiss it. “It’s the best gift ever!”
“Anytime tonight, Ada. I’m dying to try a watermelon slushy,” Kim mocked. “You two are so adorable together,” she added with a wink.
Theo’s laugh hinted absurdity. “I’m allowed to spoil my buddy, Kimmie. I’ll get you a daiquiri. Carry on, as you were talking about parties.” He swiped a fresh coconut shell from behind the shelf and whizzed up frozen watermelon in the blender.
Best friends. Over and out. Loud and clear. No mixed messages there.
“What will you wear, Ada?” Kim hauled my thoughts back. “Do you have sexy bikinis or just normal ones?”
The blender churned noisily. “I have a slinky silver one,” I yelled over the whirl just as it ceased.
Kim waggled her blonde eyebrows. “Slinky,” she sang and did a little booby jiggle. “Is it shiny metallic?”
“Yeah,” I confirmed. “Like aluminium foil.”
She eyed Theo, checking on her watermelon cocktail. “I’ve never seen you in anything other than jeans and a green tee. Except for those hideous jammies with pea shoots over them. Did you mother make them out of old curtains,” she snickered. “It’ll be a shock to see what’s under all the layers.”
“Yeah, she got the material from your mom,” I quipped. “There’s not much to see.” I raised my shoulders and contorted my face.
The daiquiri landed between us. “There’s plenty to see under there.” Theo elbowed me in the ribs and winked.
Kim sucked in sharply. “OMIGOD! How would you know, Theo?”
“Best friend privileges.” He threw her a sexy-as-sin smile and sauntered off.
“Are guys reaping the privileges?” Shewidenedher eyes and dropped her chin.
The chanting grew louder as one guy necked a row of tequila shots.
I frowned. “No. He’s my friend. That’s all.”
“Does bestfriend privileges mean you’ve seen his dick? Please tell me you’ve seen it because I’ve often wondered if it's as big as it looks.” Kim’s nose wrinkled, confused by our level of friendship yet invested in the answer to her question.
“Not in the flesh. Just behind his boxers.” My lips pressed to a firm line, holding back a knowing grin. “It was—how can I put it?” I glanced up to the ceiling. “Impressive.” I offered.
Kim sputtered on a gulp of ice-cold watermelon, then palmed her forehead, like brain freeze numbed her skull. “Ada, whyare you fascinatedwithRo when Theo is right there?” She pointed over at him. “He obviously has a thing for you.” Her focus fell on the graceful stone dangling from my neck.
I shrugged. The conversation wasn’t going anywhere. Theo had planned another date with Nancy Fancy Pants from Jumping Joe’s, and his feelings, or lack of, were very clear. Even though my hormones were all mixed up and messy, it didn’t alter the facts—he was my boss who also made his own furniture. “It’s not like that, Kim. I can appreciate his dick from the sidelines.” I grasped the pendant and glanced back to find Theo hard at work, muscles flexed, hair scraped into a half man-bun, and fine ass squeezed in those black jeans of his. “We’re just friends,” I whispered, listlessly.
Seven
Pools & thrills
