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“I’d love to sit and have tea and tell stories,” she said.
“Then that’s what we’ll do. I’m going to grab Nana Bee’s favorite iced-tea pitcher,” Lia said.
Bass came inside, looked at all of the women, and took a step back. “I didn’t see you arrive,” he told them.
“We don’t exactly make a soft entrance,” Lia mocked before she went over and hugged him.
“I had to run back to the shed. Are you ladies here to help?”
The three laughed. “Nope, we’re more here to impede progress and have girl talk,” Rachel said.
Bass laughed. It was clear to see they had an easy relationship with each other. Even if Bass had been out of their lives for the past several years, their relationship had been built on love and a misunderstanding wasn’t ever going to take that away. They were quickly falling back into their old patterns.
“Then I’ll take my leave. I have a box I want to go through on my own,” he said.
He turned and looked at Ella with such intensity in his eyes, she sucked in her breath again. She couldn’t have spoken for all of the money in the world at that moment. He wasn’t going to bring up their kiss, was he? No, he wouldn’t do that to her . . . she hoped.
“I’ll talk to you soon.” She simply nodded at him before he turned and left the room and she let out the breath she’d been holding.
“What in the heck was that?” Rachel asked.
“Seriously, steam is rising from all of our bodies after the heat of that look,” Ari said as she looked from Ella to the door Bass had just stepped through.
“There has to be a dang good story here,” Rachel said. “I want to heareverything.”
“There’s nothing to tell,” Ella warned them. She wasn’t going to kiss and tell, that was for dang sure.
“We don’t believe you,” Lia said. “And trust me, we’rereallygood at dragging out information when we smell a rat.”
Ari laughed. “Don’t fight them, Ella. When these women want something, they certainly get it. Trust me. When I wanted nothing to do with their brother they found out who I was, then hunted me down on the beach and talked me into going on the boat where Rafe was. At the time I wasn’t thrilled with them. Now, I’m more grateful than words can say.”
“Oh, nowthat’sa story I’d like to hear,” Ella said. She’d much rather have the conversation turned on them and not focused on her.
“I know what you’re doing, and I’ll allow it to work for a little bit, then we’ll get to your story,” Rachel said. “I do love talking about Rafe and Ari though. It’s such a beautiful love story.”
“Then tell me all about it,” Ella insisted.
The four women moved into the kitchen and made a big pitcher of iced tea, then put together a snack tray before they moved to the front porch. No more work was accomplished for the day, but they talked long into the night about Nana Bee, Rafe and Ari, Lia and Shane, and Rachel and a king. Holy moly, a real-life king. Listening to all of their stories, Ella escaped talking about herself. She was grateful because she had no idea what was happening in her life. She knew they’d push again which sucked, because she’d probably still be lost.
She was attracted to Bass, there was no doubt about it. That was all though. It wasn’t going to lead anywhere. Itcouldn’tlead anywhere. She’d finish this final wish from Nana Bee and then move on with her life. Maybe she’d finally have some closure on her past and could truly be free for the first time ever. Now, wouldn’t that be amazing. Yes, yes it would.
Chapter Nine
Bass
Bass sat in his empty hotel room and felt melancholy. He didn’t understand why. He’d been alone far more than he’d been with others, and he liked that a lot. He never had a problem being solo. As a matter of fact, he’d never understood people who couldn’t stand to be alone. If you had a problem being with yourself, how in the hell did you expect others to want to be with you?
After a day with Ella though, he didn’t like his solitude so much. He enjoyed her company . . . a little too much . . . and that kiss had rocked his world so much he’d almost taken her right there against the wall. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to know about her. What was her story? Rafe had raged about her entire family, and when he was done, he never mentioned Ella or her father again. That was Rafe.
When his former best friend was done with someone, he was finished. He didn’t look back. That’s why Bass didn’t hold a lot of hope that the two of them were going to ever get to the truth of the matter when it came to their friendship and what had ended it. Rafe was a stubborn son-of-a-bitch and there wasn’t a heck of a lot anyone could do about it. That was life.
The thing about Rafe though, was he was also incredibly loyal. He’d literally take a bullet for someone he loved. That’s why it was so difficult for Bass to understand how he’d made such terrible assumptions.
Bass laughed at this thought. It was pretty easy to assume Bass had been having an affair with Rafe’s lying ex-wife when Rafe had walked in and found them in bed together . . . naked. He thought of all of the times people used the term, don’t believe your lying eyes. Well, in his case, it was true. There was more to the story than Rafe knew. It had taken Bass a long time to figure it out as well. By the time he had, he’d been so furious and humiliated he hadn’t known what to do.
The past was the past though. They’d finish Nana Bee’s project and then the three of them would go their separate ways. A grin appeared on Bass’s face again. There was no reason not to have some fun in the meantime though. He wanted Ella . . . and Bass rarely didn’t get what he wanted.
He ordered room service again, but was sick of having food delivered to his room like he was some sort of prisoner. He’d planned on getting out that night, but his box of letters was more important than flirting with some floozie at a bar.
