Page 81 of You Found Me in the Dark
“That’s a roommate?” she said, eyes still locked on him. “That’s not a roommate, Wren. That’s a gift. That’s a summer romance. That is the reason I keep deluding myself into thinking men can be hot and not emotionally bankrupt.”
Harper choked on her drink. “You’re a menace.”
“I’m a truth teller,” Lena fired back, already striding toward him like she was approaching a damn red carpet.
Dax raised a brow, clearly caught off guard but amused as Lena came to a dramatic halt in front of him, planting her hands on her hips. It was cute to watch her short stature bounce in front of him. Lena had no idea what she was in for. Dax had thirteen years on her, so we will see how far this goes.
“Hi,” she said, eyes narrowed with intention. “Just so you’re aware, you’re stupid hot, and I think I’m in love with you. But don’t worry—I plan to make you fall in love with me and then move out of state.”
Dax blinked, then looked at Reed to ask if she was serious.
Reed just smirked. “Dead serious.”
To his credit, Dax took it in stride. “Good to know. I’ll keep my expectations low.”
Lena lit up. “Perfect. Want to help me carry some stuff so I can stare at your massive tattooed arms?”
I didn’t know if I wanted to laugh or hide. That was the thing about Lena—she turned every moment into something unforgettable. And somehow, she always got away with it.
As Dax followed her to the trunk, shaking his head but charmed, Harper leaned close to me and whispered, “Oh, this is going to be so fun.”
I nodded, watching Lena already rambling on to Dax about her interests. “Or a disaster.”
“Either way,” she said, bumping my shoulder, “I’m here for it.”
51
REED
“Thanks for coming out,” I said as Dax grabbed the cooler like it weighed nothing and started toward the beach. “And for helping. Appreciate it.”
He shrugged like it was nothing, but he was grinning. “No problem, man. The group has good vibes so far. It’s nice to be somewhere that’s not home or the shop.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, lowering my voice just a bit. “Also… sorry about Lena. She can be—uh—intense.”
Dax chuckled, totally unfazed. “Are you kidding? It was a total turn-on.”
I blinked. “Wait—seriously?”
“Oh yeah. That little tornado of a woman called me stupid, hot, and wanted to see my muscles. You think I’m not intrigued?” He smirked, his eyes drifting toward her again. “She’s like… chaos in eyeliner. Those long lashes? The attitude? And she’s what, five-one? How old is she?”
“Barely, and she’s around Wren’s age. I want to say twenty-five,” I muttered.
“Perfect. I could just pick her up and take her home,” he said, clearly amused with himself. “She’s over a foot shorter than me. Height difference is my weakness. Thirteen years apart isn’t that bad, right?”
I barked out a laugh. “Jesus, Dax.”
When we got closer to the pit, I spotted Wren with Harper and Lena already claiming the best log seats and handing out the blankets. The golden hour light kissed Wren’s skin in a way that made my heart kick against my ribs. Her laugh floated across the sand, bright and effortless. My girl looked so damn happy.
I walked straight toward her, my chest already easing the second she looked up at me.
“Hey, Little Birdie,” I murmured as I brushed my hand down her back. “You need anything?”
She shook her head, eyes soft, lips curved. God, she was beautiful.
I kissed her temple, then turned to Cam and handed him a folded-up twenty. “Go grab some more firewood from the booth up front. Take Dax with you.”
Cam squinted at the money. “Why am I the errand boy?”
