Read My Mind

by Natasha Preston

  He snorts. “Literally. She keeps coming back.”

  I laugh, abruptly stopping when the music begins. Spencer straightens and takes a deep breath.

  I turn just in time to see Mila and Wren walking down the aisle together, both beaming. My eyes don’t leave Mila. She walks with confidence, owning the whole room. She looks over as she passes, and her smile grows.

  That one was for me.

  Her sage dress is knee-length. The material is tight around her chest and waist, like a delicate, tailored gift-wrap I can’t wait to unzip later. Her full lips are in a permanent smile; her eyes bright. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.

  Brody is slightly less subtle when checking Wren out. It’s plain for everyone to see that he’s picturing slipping that dress off or lifting the skirt of it up.

  They reach the front and Mila high fives Spencer before joining us on the front row.

  “Hi,” she whispers.

  “You’re stunning.”

  Mila’s smile is blinding.

  Her hand finds mine, and she leans against my arm. Her eyes are on Indie and Spencer, though. Indie has just reached Spencer at the front. He steps forward to kiss her, jumping the gun, but no one can blame him.

  Mila is bouncing in her seat. She’s barely containing her excitement. It’s not often that I see someone so happy for another person.

  It’s hard to focus on the wedding when Mila is squeezing my hand.

  Indie says her vows with emotion in her throat and tears in her eyes.

  Spencer isn’t any more composed. I assumed I would get married one day, but that’s as far as I got with the thought. Being at a wedding with someone… well, that’s different entirely.

  Mila dabs her eyes when Indie and Spencer exchange rings.

  “I do,” Indie says.

  Mila whispers, “Yeah, she does.” Her hand in mine squeezes harder.

  “I’m pleased to introduce Mr and Mrs Lowe.”

  I stand with Mila and the other guests. We clap, and Indie and Spencer remove their mouths from one another’s as they turn to walk down the aisle.

  Mila looks over at me and bites her lip.

  Is she thinking the same as me? That, maybe one day, we’ll be where Spencer and Indie are.

  At eight p.m., it’s time to go to the ballroom. Mila and I walk downstairs. Her hand slips into mine the way it’s been doing all day, and she pulls me towards the venue room, presumably towards the bar.

  “They’ll let us in even if we’re late, Mila.”

  She bumps my arm with her shoulder. “I want to get you drunk. I’ve not seen it yet.”

  “Ah, that’s your plan.”

  “I’ve seen calm Reid and animal-in-bed Reid. I want more. I want to see all the versions of you. I’m greedy, and I won’t apologise for it.”

  Yeah, I want more, too.

  “Really?”

  She spins around so she’s facing me, and I stop before I fall into her. “Yep, show me it all.”

  “I will if you will.”

  At this point, I’m certain we’re having two different conversations.

  “It’s a deal,” she replies.

  I don’t know how much she’s really willing to give me, but I know she’s given me the most so far. I want to tell her everything, I really do, but it’s a sensitive subject, and I don’t want her blaming herself.

  Which she will.

  Pulling her closer, I wrap my arm around her back so she can’t move. “Have I told you recently how stunning you look?”

  Her eyes glow. “I think it’s been at least five minutes.”

  “Damn it, I’m such an arsehole.”

  “You say it a lot more than anyone else ever has.”

  “Everyone else must be blind. Are you planning on getting drunk tonight?”

  “Are you trying to ask the dumbest question?”

  Smirking, I reply, “I thought as much. What’s your drink of choice, little pisshead? Champagne? Gin?”

  “Spencer is serving the best champagne, so that for sure. I’m going to pretend I’m rich and famous for the night. I might even see if I can get photographed with smudged make-up and the hem of my dress up tucked into my underwear.”

  “Classy girl. I like it.”

  We stop at the open bar and order two champagnes.

  “Are those both for me or are you drinking it?”

  “I can be rich and famous for the night, too.”

  Her eyes widen. “Hell yes! We should cause a scandal and have sex against this bar.”

  I lift my eyebrow. “Scandal or felony?”

  The barman hands us our glasses, and we thank him.

  “Fine, I’ll be good.” She pouts, and my stomach clenches.

  “I haven’t ruled out felony. Don’t be good.”

  “Hmm, I hear you like naughty Mila.”

  “Can we stop talking. This is already going to be a long night, having to watch you walk around in that tight dress.”

  “You don’t have to watch.”

  “I’ve never been very good at looking anywhere else. Wren and Brody are at that table. Shall we join then?”

  “Totally. I love that you get on with them. All of my favourite people together. It’s the best. Know what else is the best? Cake, champagne, and sin, all of which I can tick off tonight.”

  “Which sin are you thinking about?”

  “I’ll probably rain check the murder.”

  “Right, we’ll save that for another day.”

  “Hey,” Wren says when Mila sits beside her.

  “Loving the hair being down, babe,” Mila says. “Didn’t you have time to put it back after an afternoon of screwing Brody’s brains out?”

  She laughs, and Brody shakes his head.

  “And you think I can’t tell that your hair isn’t quite how the stylist did it this morning?”

  Wren has her there. She no longer looks like she just walked out of a salon. She looks like she’s just walked out of my bedroom.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Sure, you don’t. You look like you’ve had sex. Very good sex.”

  “She has,” I confirm, and Mila turns to me with a wide grin.

  I don’t get a playful slap like I expected. Instead, she presses her lips together and leans closer to me as if she can’t be more than a few inches away.

  Forty-Eight

  Mila

  “You have your own bottle?” I ask Wren as she pours herself another glass of champagne.

  “And I’m not sharing. Go get your own.”

  “I held your hair back when you were throwing up after our first taste of vodka. I’ve patted your back when you were acting ridic over Brody. I’ve put your boob back in your bikini top at the beach when you didn’t realise it was out. Where is the love, huh?”

  “Her boob did what?” Brody asks.

  I hold my finger up. “No one was talking to you.”

  He rolls his eyes. “Always a pleasure, Mila. Tell me about my wife’s boobs.”

  “Brody!” Wren backhands his chest.

  “It was no biggie,” I tell him. “I’m sure you’ve seen them more times than the entire beach that day.”

  “It was not the entire beach! Let’s go to the bathroom, Mila.”

  “You’re a big girl now, Wren, I’m sure you can find it.”

  “Get up and follow me to the bathroom,” she says with a fake smile.

  Okay.

  I don’t look at Reid because I know he will be smirking.

  I follow Wren into the bathroom and fold my arms.

  “What’s going on? Is it about the boob thing? Because Brody isn’t mad. That was, like, five years ago, and you have very nice boobs, so I don’t know why you’re worried about—”

  “I’m pregnant.”

  “Fuck off!” My mouth falls open. “Seriously? Are you sure? Haven’t you been drinking? You can do that anymore! It isn’t the seventies now.”

  “Slow down,” sh
e laughs. “We found out last week, and I’ve been drinking alcohol-free sparkling wine since. It’s not a great substitute but it makes me feel like an adult still. Why else do you think I’ve had my own bottles?”

  “Well, I just thought you were prepared, as well as being a borderline alcoholic like the rest of us. Pregnant! Oh my God, Wren!” I jump at her, wrapping her and the baby into a big hug. “You broke our pact, but I can’t be mad. This is awesome. I’m so excited for you. Are you happy? How is Brody?”

  She laughs, her arms pinned by my side. “You’re probably squishing the baby.”

  “Oh.” I pull away, wincing. “Answer my questions.”

  “Erm, okay. So, yeah, I’m surprised. The pill isn’t a guarantee, by the way. We’d planned on having kids, but it was a ‘one day we’ll have them’ kind of plan. It took a couple of days to get my head straight and accept that it’s happening way sooner than we’d planned. But, yeah, we’re happy.”

  “Wow!”

  “Definitely wow. Brody’s been amazing. He’s already telling me not to lift things, though. That’s going to drive me crazy.”

  “Brody as a dad…”

  “I know,” she says, grinning. “I have no idea what to do with a baby.”

  “They’re tiny. You’ll be fine. And I’m obviously going to be her godmother, right?”

  “Might be a boy, but obviously. You and Indie.”

  “Who knows?”

  “Me, Brody, and now you. We’re waiting until the first scan to tell our families and everyone else, but you and Indie don’t count.”

  “Damn straight, we don’t. When are you telling Indie?”

  “In a couple of days. I’m not hijacking her wedding. No one deserves this day all to themselves more than her.”

  “Agree with you there. Wren, I’m so happy for you. Auntie Mila is going to spoil the shit out of this baby. Ponies, quad bikes, libraries… whatever the kid wants.”

  “I have no doubt. Okay, let’s get back out there. I have a whole bottle of pretend wine to drink tonight.”

  “Sounds lovely. I’ll get good and drunk for ya. But not too drunk or Reid won’t have sex with me.”

  “I love him, Mila.”

  “I’ve never liked anyone as much as I like him. Nothing is dull when we’re together. We’re heading in the right direction.”

  “You think you’ll be official soon?”

  “I think so. I’m so impatient when it comes to him. I left Liam, certain that I wanted time for myself, you know? I don’t want that now. I want to live in Reid. In him, like one of those psychos who skin their victims and—”

  “Mila! Calm down. You need a drink and to go with the flow.”

  “That was the original plan. I think I’m a bunny boiler now.”

  She grabs my hand and pulls me out of the bathroom. “All right, let’s get you a drink. By the way, I’m loving seeing you lose your head over him.”

  “Glad someone is enjoying this.”

  Reid and Brody meet us halfway across the dance floor.

  “Spencer and Indie are cutting the cake now,” Reid says, wrapping his arm around my waist.

  “Ooh, I like cake,” I say, pulling my phone from my bra.

  Indie is beaming up at Spencer who is standing behind her with his arms around her body as they cut the first slice.

  My heart swells from watching how deliriously happy she is. I want that so badly.

  Reid places a kiss to my temple, and I feel him smile against my skin. “Are you okay?” he asks.

  “I’m more than okay. Are you having fun?”

  “I am. They look happy.”

  “They are. He’ll treat her right. I’ve threatened him if he doesn’t.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

  Indie and Spencer move to the dance floor, and a server whisks the cake away to cut out the back.

  “Oh, first dance!” I tug on Reid’s sleeve and pull him to the edge of the dance floor. “Do you do the dancing thing?”

  “Not right now. It seems a bit shitty to join in on the newlyweds’ first dance.”

  I laugh and nudge his shoulder. “But we’re rebels.”

  He takes my hand and twirls me around.

  We’re behind just about everyone, so we’re not actually raining on Indie’s parade.

  Reid’s hand on the small of my back pulls me flush against his chest in one swift movement that turns me weak.

  I catch my breath and stare into his dark eyes.

  “You’re beautiful,” he says, dipping his head to plant a quick kiss on my mouth.

  “Get me drunk and fuck me hard,” I whisper.

  It’s the only thing I can think to say.

  “Done and done.” He growls, and then he kisses me again.

  Forty-Nine

  Mila

  I groan and fist my hair.

  Reid’s naked body is pressed up against my back, his erection ready to go, but I’m currently dying, so it’s tough luck to him.

  His chest shakes as he laughs.

  “Shh. Be still,” I whisper.

  “Regretting the shots?”

  “Please don’t talk about alcohol. Reid, help me.”

  He laughs again and unwraps himself from me. “All right. I’ll get you some water and a strong coffee. Can you eat anything yet?”

  “Shh,” I whisper again. “Why aren’t you in pain?”

  “I did about half the number of shots that you did.”

  I can hear him moving around the room. He gets something out of the mini fridge. All of his movements are very loud. I didn’t even plan on getting drunk.

  “Here, sit up. I’ve got you water. Do you have any painkillers?”

  “Bag,” I groan.

  “Mila,” he says softly, pulling me up.

  I sit and pout while my head pounds. “It was a good night, right? The last thing I remember is dancing with Indie and Wren to The Killers.”

  “It was an excellent night. You wanted to dirty dance with me after that. I made you keep it PG, don’t worry. You can show your face in front of Spencer’s grandparents.”

  I groan again.

  “Then you told the DJ you loved him for playing By the Way but took it back when some ABBA song came on. You really don’t like them, do you?”

  “I don’t know why people continue to play them. Ridiculous.” Rubbing my forehead, I open my eyes and wince against the sunlight. “We didn’t close the curtains.”

  He smirks over his shoulder. “No, you were very busy when we got in last night.”

  “I was? What were you doing?”

  He starts making me a coffee with the Nespresso machine. “I was busy being mauled by this gorgeous drunk with a fascination for my chest.”

  I rub my tired eyes. “What did I do?”

  He laughs and stirs my coffee. “You spent about ten minutes kissing and licking my chest before you let me roll you over.” He walks around to my side of the bed. “I think you fell asleep in about two seconds flat when I held you.”

  I take the coffee, looking up at him, horrified. “You didn’t want sex?”

  “Oh, I wanted it. You were a bit past it. I was hard all night after having your mouth on me.”

  “I’m such a mess,” I groan and sip the coffee.

  Reid finds me some tablets and hands me two. “You’re not a mess.”

  “It sounds like I was.”

  I swallow the pills and wash them down with more coffee.

  Reid strokes the side of my face, and I lean into him. “You weren’t a mess. You were having fun. I loved watching you with your friends, especially the dancing. You looked so free, and I love taking care of you, drunk or sober.”

  “You’re strange.”

  He chuckles. “I’ve got it bad.”

  “You have?”

  Reid takes my mug and places it on the bedside table. He sits down and pulls me onto his lap. I go willingly and breathe him in.

  “You’re a better hangover cure
than coffee,” I say, pressing my face into his collarbone. God, he smells so good.

  “How are you doing now?” he asks, massaging my scalp.

  My eyes fall shut. “Good. That feels good.”

  His hand trails down across my jaw to cup my chin.

  When I look up at him, he’s staring at me.

  “I’m taking you out tonight” he says. “There’s this new Japanese restaurant open in town, and this is long overdue. The escape room is booked up, so we’ll have to do that another time.”

  Stop press. This is him asking me out.

  “You’re taking me to a restaurant?”

  “It’s time I took you on a date, don’t you think?”

  I’m trying not to freak out, but he’s basically just stuck a massive label on us. We’ve moved from friends fooling around to us now dating. At freaking last! I would get up and do a happy dance if I didn’t feel so rough.

  “Are you speechless, Mila? You? Is there a total solar eclipse happening that I missed?”

  “All right. I was just trying to figure out when you got so brave.”

  Laughing, he runs his fingertip over my bottom lip, and I’m pretty sure my headache has gone. “You coming out with me, Mila?”

  “Obviously. Thought that was pretty clear by now.”

  “It is.”

  My mouth falls open, and he drops his hand. “What is wrong with you?”

  “You needed time. There was so much you were still learning about yourself, and I didn’t want to get in the way of you searching for who you are and what you want. Besides, I’m not going to be anyone’s rebound, no matter how beautiful she is.”

  “Beautiful, huh?”

  “I can barely keep my hands off you. Come on, let’s have a shower and go down for breakfast.”

  “I have no energy.”

  “The only thing required of you is to stand under the water. I’ll do the rest.” He gets up and holds his hand out.

  Reid is going to wash me in the shower, and I am so here for it.

  We walk – I stumble – into the bathroom.

  I lean against the wall and watch him turn the water on. My head is more of a dull ache than a hammering now, so I know the hangover isn’t going to be as bad as I first thought.