AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Life is interesting,” she replies.
“You know each other?” Adrianne observes with dread.
“This is the unofficial mayor of Dove Point,” I announce with a wide smile. I cannot contain myself. Adrianne has intentionally rigged the party to make a fool of Brynne in one way or another. She’s failing miserably.
“Oh, of course, I know Miss Casey,” Steve says. “Her Uncle John and I had many a deep discussion about the environment and our responsibility as stewards over the years. I remember Brynne sitting and listening to us debate from the time she was a young one. She was a brilliant student, as I recall John telling me. And I’ve heard through the environmental grapevine that she continues to walk the talk by embracing a sustainable and responsible lifestyle.”
“Oh, goody, just what the world needs – another tree hugger standing in the way of progress.” Adrianne rolled her eyes and zeroed in on Brynne, trying again to humiliate her publicly. “So, with all your purported brains and apparent charisma, what do you do for a living? I mean, you pedal on a ridiculous three-wheeler, hauling a trailer. As far as I can see, you’re like the town kook.”
“Yet here I am on your yacht,” Brynne responds, unfazed. “We have different priorities. I don’t understand what or why you do what you do, either. Unlike you, I am not desperate for a guy or the next buck. I stay grounded so my fall isn't life-threatening if I get knocked down.”
“Excuse me,” Steve says and leaves, uncomfortable with the conversation, but not before touching Brynne warmly on the shoulder. “Well said.”
But Adrianne wouldn’t leave it alone. “You’re not as different as you like to think. For example, you are desperate to save the silly inn,” Adrianne gloats. “That won’t happen; I don’t care who you’re sleeping with.”
“Actually,” Brynne says, stepping triumphantly towards Adrianne. “You so do care who I am sleeping with. And it kills you thatthat will neverhappen for you.”
I step behind Brynne to silently second what she just said. Adrianne sputters and twitches and vanishes into the crowd. “I think you short-circuited her,” I say softly into Brynne’s ear.
As I watch Adrianne foist herself into the presence of another cluster of guests, I spy Todd and Gretchen. I casually reach beyond Brynne’s shoulder to point them out. She falls back against me. “Look who,” I say.
“I know, I saw,” she says, pleased. “My instincts were right about them.”
“I like him,” I say honestly. “A lot. Much respect.”
“For a stoner dude?” she asks, turning to me. Her brow arches with a slight indictment. I am ashamed now that I referred to him as such.
“I don’t want to excuse myself for that,” I say. “But at first impression, Todd does fit a certain stereotype. You can’t deny that.”
“Formulated by you,” she answers quickly.
The wisdom of her response nails me to the core. “Damn it,” I say. “You are so right. You don’t cut me any slack.”
Perhaps I should agree with her more often as she kisses me slowly, softly, barely grazing my lips with hers.
I growl and swat her wondrously round ass playfully.
“You keep doing that,” she whispers. “You wanna put me over your knee, don’t you?”
“Okay, you gotta behave. I can’t have you talking like that.” I beg. “Unless we plan to ditch this scene.”
“Will it screw up your business if we do?” she asks.
I tilt my head. “After everything, you are concerned about my business?” I ask rhetorically. “Unreal.”
I stare at her, not able to get enough of her. Not able to look at her and predict her next surprise.
“Let's get out of here,” I whisper. “Nick is at the party having a good time, so I won’t ask him to drive – plus, I don’t feel like being in the back of a limo.”
“The ride here was fun, by the way,” she says, gazing at me with the same intensity as when I look at her. “Kind of magical. I’ve never been in a stretch limo before.”
“It can be,” I say. “It does get old – what you’d describe as an RPP – Rich Person’s Problem.
Todd has the Porsche but will need it to take Gretchen home.
What would you do if you were in this situation and wanted to go to the hills?”
“Uber,” she says, and then she laughs.
