With laughter shining in her eyes, she said, “You try it first, tough guy, and if you don’t get arrested I’ll go next.”
He searched his phone for a local place, called in a quick order for a vegetarian pizza, which he knew was her favorite, then tossed his phone back on his pants. “I have a better idea. Last one to the pool answers the door.” He took off in a run but came to sliding halt when he heard her call after him.
“You’re not even going the right way.” She sped off down a long hallway and he followed after her. He didn’t even try to win. The view of her gorgeous naked ass and the triumphant smile she shot over her bare shoulder made it worth losing.
So worth losing.
Chapter Fifteen
Early the next day, Willa woke to the bright morning sun streaming into the beach house master suite’s large windows. It took a moment for her to realize where she was and that the arm flung across her waist belonged to a man she’d loved, then hated, and now didn’t know what she felt.
She slid out from beneath his arm, pulled on shorts and a T-shirt, and located her phone. She closed the curtains, darkening the room for Lance, and stepped out of the bedroom in search of tea. A few moments later she was seated outside on the porch with her feet pulled up in front of her. The peaceful location soothed her and added to the relaxed state great sex had already provided.
She wondered briefly if she should call Dax and apologize for taking a day off during her second week of work. It wasn’t something she was proud of. It was completely irresponsible and the opposite of how she’d lived her life.
She was the one who held back, worried, and planned every step carefully.
Except for one other time, which had also involved the man asleep inside. What would Lexi say if she knew where I was? She’d sent her sister a vague text about going out of town overnight, but she hadn’t told her with whom or where.
Because I don’t trust her not to ruin this for me? We’re not eighteen anymore; we have to be beyond that by now. And if we’re not, we need to find a way back to how we were before. What did she say? It used to be us against the world? I don’t need a partner in battle anymore, I need a sister.
Crying the day before had been cleansing. I’ve kept my anger locked in a little box inside for so long because I’ve been too afraid to face it, but we’re not children any more. With age comes the realization that talks don’t have to become fights. There doesn’t have to be a winner or loser. All I want is to be close with Lexi again. I should be able to call her this morning and share this part of my life with her.
I don’t know how to do that, but I have a feeling it starts with letting go of the past.
Lexi had said she’d felt badly about messing things up between Lance and her. She’d said, “I guess I thought that if my pretending to be you didn’t work, then maybe you pretending to be me would.” There was no denying that the flash mob scenario had somehow jump-started a second chance with Lance.
I wouldn’t be here with Lance if Lexi hadn’t given me a push toward him.
Willa sent an impulsive text to Lexi. Can we do dinner this week? I miss you.
A text message came back a moment later. Miss you, too. When do you get back?
Tonight.
I’ll cook. Lexi’s version of an olive branch. Of course, since she was an awful cook, it was also amusing.
Normally Willa would have suggested that they order something delivered, but she wanted a fresh start with her sister as well. That sounds wonderful. She almost placed the phone down, but instead texted, I’m at the Cape with Lance.
How is it going?
Amazing.
We’ll talk when you get home. Stop texting and go jump the man.
Willa laughed. Classic Lexi. Feeling suddenly carefree, Willa wrote, I would if I could still walk.
“So this is where you went,” Lance said from behind her. He bent, pushed her hair to one side and gave the back of her neck a kiss.
Willa glanced back at him. He had a pair of shorts on, but his chest was bare and his hair was delightfully still mussed from bed. “I woke up early but thought you’d want to sleep in.” She placed her phone face down on the arm of the Adirondack chair.
He pulled up a chair beside hers and sank into it. “I’m an early riser, but I would have stayed in bed if you were still there.” He said it as a simple fact that also just happened to be sexy and sweet at the same time. “We technically have this place until tomorrow morning, but I thought it would be easier if we went back tonight. What would you like to do today?”
Her first response was a suggestive smile which brought a twinkle to his eyes. “Oh, you mean outside of the house?”