Beautiful Mess(124)

“Yeah. Apparently it pays to have multiple luxury car dealerships in LA.”

“Scott is a car dealer?” Bri was shocked. He so didn’t fit the typical dealer stereotype.

“Yep. That’s how he and my dad met. My dad was Scott’s head mechanic in his first dealership. They worked together for a few years before my dad decided to open up his own shop. Scott actually backed his business loan.”

“It’s always nice to have family you can depend on,” Bri smiled.

“Yes, it is.” Cole smiled and rang the doorbell.

Claire answered the door with a shriek, and threw herself at Bri, wrapping her in a huge hug. Bri returned Claire’s hug warmly, and let Claire drag her inside.

“I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve been waiting all day!” Claire squealed, forgetting all about Cole still standing in the doorway.

“Yeah, good to see you too, Claire,” Cole called out wryly before letting himself in. Claire, of course, ignored him.

“Here, I’ll give you the tour before we join the boys.” Claire grabbed Bri’s hand and led her through the large house. She filled Bri in on what was new in her life, mainly her new boyfriend, who was super cute and a really good kisser. Bri caught her up on her life, and answered all of Claire’s questions. Finally satisfied, Claire ended her interrogation and led Bri out back to a beautiful, open patio where the boys were lounging by the pool.

Cole and Seb both looked up as the girls made their way out, and a huge grin spread across Seb’s face as he rose to greet Bri. He pulled her in for a hug, slightly surprising her.

“Bri! Finally! I thought Claire was going to hold you captive all day.” He pulled back, smiling, and Bri couldn’t help smiling back at him.

“Hey Seb! How are you?”

“Good, thanks. And you? Still dating this loser, I see,” he nodded over at Cole.

“Well, you know Cole. He kind of grows on you,” she teased, throwing Cole a wink.

“Like a fungus!” Seb laughed.

Cole rolled his eyes as he came over and wrapped his arm around Bri’s waist.

“Okay guys, I have lunch all set up for us,” Claire called from behind them. She had set out a whole array of sandwiches, fruits, veggies, desserts, and drinks on an outdoor table. “Come sit, and let’s eat!”

“Um, you didn’t make all this yourself, did you?” Cole eyed the buffet, apparently skeptical of Claire’s culinary skills. She hit him on the arm.

“Yes, I did,” she said, defiantly. “And you are going to eat every last bite, Cole, and you are going to like it!”

They all sat and filled their plates. Despite Cole’s reservations, Claire had done a great job, and everything was delicious. After they had all eaten their fill, and satisfied Claire, Cole stood up from the table.

“You guys ready to hit the beach?” Everyone nodded. “Okay, you girls go change and meet us back out here.”

Claire grabbed Bri’s hand and pulled her up to her bedroom.

“Please tell me you brought that white bikini you got in Catalina,” Claire demanded.

“Yes, I brought it. How could I not, when you texted me like twenty times not to forget it?”

“Good! Here, you can change in my bathroom.”

After changing into the more than slightly skimpy suit, Bri began to doubt that this had been a good idea. She tied her wrap skirt around her waist and walked back into Claire’s room.

“I don’t know, Claire. Maybe this was a bad idea.”

Claire’s mouth dropped.

“Oh, no, this is perfect! Cole is going to flip when he sees you in this! He won’t be able to keep his hands off you!”

That was exactly what Bri was afraid of.

The girls walked out across the patio, to the beach beyond. Bri looked up to find both Cole and Seb gaping openly at her. Yep, this bikini was definitely a bad idea. Claire pulled her over and they set out their towels on the sand. Bri slipped out of her skirt, revealing her cheeky, Brazilian cut bottom, and heard a gasp behind her. She turned, and was surprised to find it had come from Seb, who was staring at her, openly admiring. Cole, who had also been devouring her with his eyes, heard Seb’s gasp and shot his friend a look. Seb’s face flushed a bright red, and he quickly averted his gaze.

“See something you like there, Seb?” Cole teased.

“Yes. I mean, no! I mean...,” Seb cleared his throat. “Sorry,” he smiled sheepishly at Bri. He then turned to Cole with a smile. “You are one lucky SOB, man!”

“Are you ogling my girl, Seb?” Cole taunted, relishing Seb’s obvious discomfort.

“Maybe,” Seb shot back with a cocky grin. Cole immediately rushed him, tackling him to the ground. The two boys laughed as they wrestled in the sand.