Page 19 of Should've Been Us
“Nope.”
He’d thought it was a reasonable question. She’d put on shorts. Why wouldn’t she put on a shirt? But from the tone of her voice clearly he’d said the wrong thing.Again.
She turned and headed for the door without him and he growled as he followed after her. Her cute little ass in those shorts was impossible to ignore. Her full, perky breasts in that tiny triangle top was a fucking invitation. And he couldn’t help the snarl that tore from his throat as he realized what he’d beenmissing.
“You’re wearing that forhim, aren’tyou?”
Lulu ignored him. She picked up her keycard and opened the door. She stepped outside, all but letting it slam in his face before he caught it and followed her out. He let it slam shut loudly behind him as he stomped after her, growing angrier by the moment as she didn’t deny hisquestion.
“You can’t honestly still think you have a chance withhim.”
“Shut up, Connor.” Shesnapped.
“He’s getting married in four days! To someoneelse!”
“I know that.” She pulled up short and ripped her sunglasses off to glare at him, “I don’t know where you get off talking to me like that or accusing me of wearing a swimsuit to the beach just to impress Derek, but you’re an asshole with no right. I’ve accepted that Derek is marrying Aubrey. I’m playing along. I’m smiling and going to the beach to build a fucking sandcastle with you like a good little bridesmaid or best woman or whatever the hell I am. What else do you want from me? I’m doing my best to move on so stop bringing him up.” She ran out of steam midway through and her words fumbled to a soft halt, “Please, just stop rubbing it inokay?”
He stared down at her and felt his insane possessiveness begin to fade. He’d jumped to conclusions. He’d accused her of trying to steal Derek away from Aubrey right here in the middle of the resort where they were getting married in a few days. She was right. He was being an asshole and it was all because he wanted her for himself and he’d been insanely jealous of Derek foryears.
That was his issue. Nothers.
“I’msorry.”
Her brows drew together again but before she could question his sincerity he shook hishead.
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I’ve been an asshole about this thing you and Derek have, had, and I’m sorry. I won’t bring it up again. I know this is hard foryou.”
Lulu bit into her bottom lip and blinked quickly. Shit. Were those tears turning her eyes glassy? She slammed her sunglasses back on and turned away fromhim.
“Thank you.” She muttered as she started walking towards the beachagain.
They walked side by side in silence through the resort. It wasn’t as easy as it had been before his accusation and he silently cursed himself for being such an ass. All of the wins he’d been notching this morning were wiped clean in the span of oneconversation.
“I mean it.” Lulu finally spoke again as they stepped onto the white sand beach and caught sight of their friends already lined up near the water, waving to them. “Thank you, for everything. Getting me back to my room last night. Not giving me hell about the hangover. Bringing me coffee. Making sure I didn’t skip this today. It would have looked bad if I didn’t show up so… thank you for looking out forme.”
His heart ached. He wanted to pull her into his arms and hug her. He wanted to promise her that he would always look out for her. Always. But since he knew they were treading on new and dangerous ground he only risked throwing his arm around her shoulder andgrinning.
“Of course, what are buddies for,right?”
