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There’s no jealousy in my stomach. No romantic notion of what could have been.
I’m glad I spent that night with Deanna. Not just because I adore her. Or because I don’t want to be the other man. Or because I feel so good, right here, next to the smartest woman I’ve ever met—
Because she shattered all the illusions in my way.
Next to her, everything is clear.
“Can we go back to the room?” Deanna adjusts her square sunglasses and squeezes my hand. “Have sex again?”
“Why not there—?” I motion to the hotel lobby beyond the big glass doors. The white couch next to the bar.
“In front of everyone?” she asks.
“Public sex is too much?”
“Semi-public.” She leans in and presses her lips to my neck.
Right at that moment, Lexi notices us. She stands, squeals, holds up a napkin reading6.0. “Adorable.”
Deanna’s blush deepens as she explains the reference. “A perfect ice skating score.”
I can imagine her on the ice, twirling in a skirted one-piece, nailing every jump and turn. I can imagine her in a million places.
Lexi practically runs to us. “Is there a reason I haven’t seen you all day?” She laughs. “No. I know the reason.”
Deanna blushes and hugs her sister. “No.”
“Sure.”
“Really.” She whispers something.
Lexi laughs and releases her. “I’ll let you go then. How much time do you need? Is twenty minutes enough? Or do you prefer the agony of teasing?”
“Do I prefer that?” Deanna winks.
Lexi actually blushes. “Be honest, River. Is my sister an evil tease?”
“No,” I say. “I am.”
Lexi and Deanna share a look, then Lexi greets me with a handshake. “Do you want to have some tea before lunch with Willa?”
Deanna nods. “I booked a spa session for after, so we have an out. But first, I want to talk to Jake for a minute.” Deanna nods unconvincingly. “To plan a surprise for your birthday.”
Lexi’s brows rise. She doesn’t totally buy it, but she still nods and leads us to the table.
Jake is a tall guy with an aura of Orange County wealth. Maybe he didn’t grow up with money, but he has it now, and he’s not afraid to show off his designer watch and his expensive shoes.
He stands and shakes my hand. “Nice to meet a friend of Deanna’s.”
“You, too.” I return his firm grip, sit, go through a short introduction. After a few rounds ofgetting to know youquestions (he’s an employment lawyer, he grew up in Irvine, he loves to surf, he adores Lexi), Deanna and Jake say goodbye and head toward the pool.
Here I am, with a mission to help Lexi follow her heart. Only I’m not needed. Not really. Lexi is smitten. It’s written all over her face.
And there’s something else in her blue eyes, something I usually see on Deanna.What do you think you’re doing with my sister?
“Are you taking care of her?” Lexi turns and hails the waiter.
“Trying,” I say.
