by Lily Rose
“You can challenge him when you meet him.” Julia took a gentle sip of her wine.
I was a little timid around Kyle and his mom because I didn’t know what Kyle said about me when I wasn’t around. But she was very nice and warm, and it was clear the two of them had a great relationship that you wanted to participate in.
Kyle caught someone’s eye across the lawn. “There Uncle Rob. I need to congratulate him. I’ll be right back.” He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before he left me alone with his mother.
I should be afraid, but I wasn’t.
Julia continued to stare at me in a friendly way. “Kyle told me about your parents. I was very sorry to hear that.”
What didn’t he say about me? “Thank you. It was a long time ago. I’ve made my peace with it.”
She nodded. “I’m always here to talk if you need someone.”
It was a nice offer, especially since we were practically strangers. “My Yaya raised me, and she’s the best Yaya ever. I also have my brother Axel. He’s a good guy.”
“Kyle mentioned him. He said he liked him a lot.”
That was a first. No boyfriend ever liked my brother, and vice versa.
“What does he do?”
“He’s a financial advisor in Manhattan. He’s the one marrying my best friend.”
A genuine smile stretched her lips. “That’s perfect. Congratulations.”
“It’s a dream come true. My best friend will be my sister-in-law.”
“I’m lucky enough to have in-laws that don’t drive me up the wall,” she said with a light chuckle. “And I have the most wonderful son in the world.”
Hearing her talk about Kyle like that made me smile. “Yeah, he’s pretty great.” He got under my skin sometimes but he really was an exceptional person. His carefree personality always put me at ease.
Julia was about to say something when Kyle returned to the table.
“I have a few people to introduce you to.” Kyle extended his hand to me. “It’s time to show you off, baby.”
I met everyone in his family and made small talk. Surprisingly, they were easy to get along with. I never once felt interrogated. We spent most of the time laughing while downing our wine.
Kyle was by my side the entire time, and his hand was usually placed somewhere intimate. When the music played and everyone got on the dance floor, Kyle snatched my drink away. “Dance with me.”
“I have to warn you…I’m pretty good.”
“Yeah?” he asked. “I have a feeling I’m better.” He pulled me onto the dance floor then immediately started to get down. Most of his dance moves were obscene, and frankly inappropriate. But they made me laugh so hard I got a cramp in my side.
We continued laughing and dancing together until a slow song played. I assumed that was the end so I headed back to the table.
Kyle grabbed me and pulled me back to his chest. He placed my hand on his shoulder then began to slow-dance with me, a ghost of a smile on his lips. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“After all that dancing, I need a break.”
“Consider this your break.” His face was close to mine, and his cologne wafted into my nose. It hinted of masculine sweat and Hugo Boss. His hand was pressed against the small of my back as he slowly danced with me.
“I have a bone to pick with you.”
“Yeah?” A playful smile was on his lips.
My hair stood on end, and I felt distant heat course through my body. I swallowed the lump in my throat and let it pass. “No. Why do you talk about me to your mother?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because we’re just friends.”
“We are?” he asked. “I’ve never once gotten that impression.”
“Well, I’m not your girlfriend.”
He shrugged. “That’s debatable.”
My eyes narrowed on his face, and I pressed my lips tightly together. “Kyle.” I wanted him to be serious.
He suddenly dipped me and gave me a slow kiss. Everyone could see us but he didn’t seem to care. When the kiss ended, he looked me in the eye. “Call yourself whatever you want. And I’ll call you whatever I want.”
At the end of the night, I was tired. I was ready to fall into Kyle’s bed just down the road. Maybe we could leave the windows open and listen to the waves crash against the shore.
Kyle placed my jacket over my shoulders. “I’ve got to keep my lady warm.”
I pulled it around me and smiled. “It smells good too.”
He put his arm around me as we approached the gate. “Let’s just say goodbye to my mom before we go.”
“Okay.”
Kyle guided me inside, where his mother was taking care of the centerpieces that were left behind. “Mom, we’re headed out.”
“You are?” She set down the vase then hugged him. “It’s always so nice to see you. I miss you.”
“I miss you too. I’ll come up more often.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” She turned to the door and saw Uncle Rob trying to break down a table. “Kyle, could you give him a hand?”
“Yep,” Kyle answered as he walked away. “I’m on it.”
When he was gone, Julia turned to me. “It was so lovely having you here, Francesca. You’re exactly as I imagined.”
I had no idea what that meant. “I’m really glad I came. It was such a beautiful wedding.”
“It really was, wasn’t it?” she asked. She pulled me into her arms and gave me a warm hug. “I’m so excited you’re here. I’ve been waiting so long.” She squeezed me gently before she pulled away.
Waited so long? For what, exactly? “Kyle mentioned me a long time ago?” Maybe he brought me up when we first started fooling around six months ago. I hoped that wasn’t the case because it made it seem like we were more serious than we really were.
“No, he mentioned you a few weeks ago.”
“Oh.” That wasn’t adding up.
“I’ve been waiting for Kyle to bring someone home. Every time I asked, he said he didn’t have anyone worth mentioning. And when he called me a few weeks ago and told me about you…I almost cried.” She placed her hand over her heart. “And now that I’ve met you, I see just how perfect you are. My son is so happy. And now I’m happy.”
We entered his beach house and headed to his room. I didn’t say a single word to him. Despite how beautiful the house was, and the fact it was just steps from the beach, I didn’t give him a single compliment.
I was angry.
I tossed my bag on the floor then pulled out a shirt to wear to bed.
Kyle undressed and tossed his tie over the back of a chair. “Why are you so quiet?”
“Tired.”
“Are you always angry when you’re tired?” He knew me well enough to read me.
I changed before I got into bed. “Not really. But I am tonight.”
“What’s your deal?” He stripped down to his boxers before he got into bed beside me.
“You,” I hissed. “You’re my deal.” I turned on my side and faced the opposite way of him.
“What did I do?” He came behind me and grabbed my hip.
“Why did you introduce me to your mother? She thinks I’m her future daughter-in-law.”
He sighed. “You know how mothers are. They assume every girl is their new daughter-in-law.”
“Well, I don’t blame her for assuming it,” I snapped. “You’ve never introduced someone to her before. So why did you introduce me?”
“Maybe because I like you? Maybe because I can stand you longer than five minutes, unlike all the others? You’re my best friend, and I can’t bring you to a wedding?”
“Not when your mom thinks I’m your girlfriend.”
“What does the label matter?”
“It matters to me.” I finally turned over and glared at him. “Kyle, I told you from the beginning this was just a fling. It seems like you keep trying to turn it into something more. Why are you putting me in a
situation I don’t want to be in?”
He turned his eyes to the other side of the room. His eyes grew lidded and weary, like he was brainstorming a thousand thoughts at once. Then he turned back to me. “What kind of fling lasts six months?”
“I don’t know. Is there a time limit to when it ends?”
“Have you slept with anyone else since we met?”
“No…but what’s your point?”
“My point is, maybe this isn’t a fling anymore. Did you ever think of that?”
“It’s a fling,” I said firmly. “I made that abundantly clear.”
“If that were the case, you would have tossed me to the side months ago.”
“Maybe you’re just really good in bed.”
He smiled against his will. “Obviously. But don’t you think there’s more than that?”
“No. And now your mother is all excited over nothing.”
“Look, she was starting to wonder if I was gay. This gave her peace of mind.”
I slammed my hand on the mattress. “Kyle. You gave her the wrong impression and you know it.”
“So what? It’s my problem, not yours.”
I released a sigh that came out as a growl before I turned back over.
“Baby, don’t be like that.”
“I don’t understand you sometimes.”
“Look, my family always interrogates me about my love life. I brought you along so they would get off my back. Now that they’ve seen a real person, they’ll lose interest in me.”
“Or grow more interested.”
“Frankie, just chill out.”
I pulled my knees to my chest.
“Didn’t you have a great time?”
“That’s not the point…”
“No, it is the point.”
9
Suit Up
Hawke
Axel and I walked inside the department store. We were there to try on different suits for the wedding. Axel was adamant about wearing white tuxes, and I knew Marie wasn’t a fan of that.
I wasn’t a fan of that either.
We headed to the dressing rooms in the rear, and a blonde and a brunette were talking quietly nearly a rack full of sports coats.
“Was the wedding fun?” Marie asked.
“Yeah, it was okay.” Francesca had her arms across her chest, a classic sign of displeasure. There was something on her mind, something bothering her. I could read her like an open book, despite our long time apart.
Marie didn’t catch on. “It must have been swanky since it was in the Hamptons.”
“It was ridiculously swanky,” Francesca said. “I didn’t fit in at all.”
“I’m sure you were—” Marie stopped in mid-sentence because Axel grabbed her and gave her a scorching kiss. His hands were on her waist and he crushed his mouth against hers like he hadn’t seen her in years.
Francesca made a disgusted face before she turned away. “Anyway…” Her eyes fell on me, and there was a small explosion deep in her eyes. She clearly had no idea I was going to be there.
“Hi.” No matter how many times we saw each other, it was still tense. We agreed to be friends and not talk about the past, but any time we were together, it was all we could think about. Space was between us, but the fire burned like it always had. I could deny it all I wanted but it wouldn’t change anything. And while she may feel differently now, she still couldn’t deny the heat. When it came to us, there was an innate attraction. Time and space couldn’t diminish it. It was as absolute as gravity.
“Hi.” She kept her arms across her chest. “How’s it going?”
“Good.” I glanced at the lovebirds, who were still smooching. “But I’ve been better.”
Francesca smiled in understanding. “I don’t get it. They live together. They see each other all the time.”
I completely understood it. I’d be doing the same thing to Francesca if she were still mine. But I agreed anyway. “Yeah.”
“How was your weekend?”
Terrible. Lonely. Unbearable. “Good. Yours?”
“Good.”
“So, you went to a wedding?” I suspected she went with Kyle. I hadn’t seen him yet, and I hoped I would never have to see him. My mind already pictured her with some imaginary guy. I didn’t want a real face for my nightmares.
“Yeah, it was in the Hamptons. It was really nice. Surprisingly, no one was stuck up.”
“Cool.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
Axel and Marie were still going at it.
Francesca sighed. “Should we throw something at them?”
“I can kick Axel in the knee.”
“I think we need to kick him in the groin,” Francesca said. “That would eliminate this from happening in the future.”
The corner of my lip upturned in a smile.
“Okay, enough.” Marie pushed Axel off. “Let’s pick out the suits.”
“Baby, I just missed you.” He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to his side.
“I missed you too. But we can talk about that later.” They walked forward and examined the different displays.
Francesca came to my side. “Can you believe Axel used to be a jerk to her?”
I honestly couldn’t. He’d been this way for so long that it was hard to remember. It was like the past never happened. “I think the old Axel is dead. This is Axel 2.0.”
“I thought I liked this version…until it stuck its tongue down Marie’s throat.”
Her sarcasm always made me laugh, but I held it back. “Have you picked out your bridal dresses yet?”
“No. And I sincerely hope they aren’t pink and fluffy.”
“Marie has good taste.”
“I hope so.”
Marie picked out a gray three-piece suit. “This is nice. I like it.”
“Why do we have to wear a vest?” Axel asked. “We’re already wearing an undershirt, a shirt, a tie, and a jacket. Now we have to wear that too?”
“You wear them to work all the time,” she argued. “So why is this any different?”
“Because I have to wear it to work. This is my wedding day. I can wear whatever I want.”
“Actually, no, you can’t.” Marie held up a finger.
“Come on,” he said. “The white tuxes will look sick.”
I would do anything for Axel, even look like a total loser on his wedding day. But I hoped Marie wouldn’t let that happen.
“There’s no way you’re wearing that.” She shoved the suit into his chest. “Try this one.”
“But it’s gray,” Axel argued.
“Gray looks great on you. It brings out your eyes.”
“But I wear gray suits to work all the time.”
Francesca and I exchanged a look that said, “This could go on for a while.”
“Fine.” Marie crossed her arms over her chest. “You want me to wear a purple dinosaur costume to the wedding?”
“It’s not the same thing and you know it.” He held the suit by his side.
“To me, it is.” She poked him in the chest. “Now get in there and try it on.”
Axel sighed like he was about to argue.
“Axel, let me help you out,” Francesca said. “Just do what she says.”
Axel narrowed his eyes. “But—”
“You’ll live longer.” I nodded to the dressing room.
When Axel realized it was three against one, he headed to the dressing room, dragging his feet the entire way.
After the door was closed, Marie turned around and faced us. “I love him. I really do. But…I just hate him. You know what I mean?”
Francesca nodded. “Unfortunately, I know exactly what you mean.”
My eyes moved to her face, and I wondered what she was referring to.
“Hawke, come out.” Marie’s voice came through the door.
I buttoned the top of my jacket then stepped out. The suit fit me perfectly even though it wasn’t custom made like all the others I owned. It
was a deep charcoal gray, and it matched my brooding nature.
I stood in front of the mirror and put my hands in my pockets. Marie and Axel stood beside each other and looked me up and down.
“I love it,” Marie said. “I think all the guys should wear it.”
“Yeah,” Axel said. “It really makes your butt look great.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Uh, thanks.” My eyes found Francesca in the reflection, and instead of checking out my behind, she was looking at my chest. Her eyes roamed over my body, and there was the same look of need I remembered from our past. When we made love, she would rub her hands up and down my chest, particularly over my heart. The touch wasn’t sexual, but spiritual. The look in her eyes made me yearn for a past I could never relive. Everything was so simple with her. It was the only time in my life I’d ever been happy.
Being this close to her made it more difficult to be without her. When we didn’t see each other or speak, it was much easier. But now that I was next to her, I couldn’t control the feelings constantly flushing through my heart. My soul was naturally in tune to hers. It resonated with a distant hum whenever hers was near.
I could never get away from it.
Francesca finally spoke. “I like it. I think it’ll look great on everyone.”
“Me too,” Marie said. “Well, that was easy.”
“I hope getting our bridesmaid dresses is just as easy,” Francesca said.
“Don’t get your hopes up,” Marie said with a laugh.
I headed back to the dressing room because I assumed we were finished.
Axel grabbed my arm before I walked inside. “So, do you do squats or what?”
“Sorry?” What was he talking about?
“Your butt,” Axel said. “What do you do?”
Francesca pressed her lips tightly together like she was trying not to laugh.
Marie rolled her eyes and pulled Axel off of me. “Babe, your butt is just as nice. Leave him alone.”
“It is?” Axel asked. “I can’t see it.”
She patted his arm. “Trust me.”
10
Girl Talk
