With a Twist (Last Call #4)(61)

       
         
       
        

When we reach the group, Brody is the first to see us, and he approaches Wyatt with his arms open wide. Hand falling away from mine, Wyatt steps into Brody's embrace …  endures some manly backslapping, and I hear, "Welcome back, dude. We missed you."

I watch as Wyatt shakes the dark-haired man's hand, and then alternately gives hugs to the other women. He fist bumps Hunter and leans down to kiss Gabby's cheek.

Then, as if planned in unison, the entire group turns to look at me, and I feel the spotlight burning down on me brightly. Wyatt holds his hand out to me, and I reach out for it. He pulls me into his side, turning me toward his friends.

He has to talk a little loud to be heard over the band, but it's not too bad since we're outdoors and much of the music filters away from us on the breeze. "Everyone …  this is Andrea Somerville."

Everyone beams at me.

Wyatt then starts pointing out introductions, left to right. "You know Gabby …  that's her fiancé, Hunter. Next to him is Gavin, then Brody, Alyssa, Casey, and Savannah."

I smile and nod at each person. I know now the woman with the short pixie cut is Alyssa, the dark-haired beauty is Savannah, and the very dark and sexy-looking man is the Brit, Gavin.

It's a gorgeous group of people, and my hand comes up to self-consciously fluff my hair out at the side.

Leaning down, Wyatt asks, "What do you want to drink?"

"I'll take a draft …  something seasonal if they have it," I respond.

He kisses me on the temple and then says to the group before he leaves, "Don't scare her away."

Gabby grins large and as Wyatt walks away, the group sort of collapses inward and forms a circle so we can talk. For a split second, I feel like I'm under the microscope, and a moment of panic courses through me. What if they all hate me? What if they don't see something redeeming within me and don't think I'm good enough for their guy?

And then I have to wonder …  does it really matter? Is this going to go any further than the next several days I have with him?

I would hope it would, because while the sex has been phenomenal, it certainly isn't all there is to us. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I'm not sure the sex would be as phenomenal if we didn't have an intense bond formed first through dire circumstances.

One could even say that maybe what we have is stronger than most people just starting out, because we survived a dangerous situation together …  helped each other along the way. We had to count on each other …  we had to trust. All important foundations for any relationship.

I look around …  they all stare at me with open faces, warm smiles. They're nice people …  that's what Wyatt said. They'll like me because Wyatt likes me. I have nothing to prove. 

Taking a deep breath, I let it out and say, "So …  it's really great to meet Wyatt's friends. He's told me a lot about you."





The band is playing Van Morrison's Brown-Eyed Girl and while I don't really know all the lyrics, I follow along as best as I can.

With my new buds …  Alyssa, Gabby, Savannah, and Casey.

It's getting late, I'm pretty buzzed, and all the tables on the deck have been pushed back to make an area for people to dance. My new buds and me stand in a circle with our arms all thrown around each other's shoulders, bouncing in place to the music and singing at the top of our lungs. Well, I'm singing about every fourth word that I might know, but the other girls have mastered this song. It must be a popular one around here.

Casey's arm around my neck tightens and she pulls me in closer, giving me a resounding kiss on my cheek. I think she's a little bit more than buzzed.

"I'm so glad you're here," she shouts above the music. "Wyatt looks so happy."

My chest constricts, and I shoot a glance over at him. He's sitting on the deck railing …  Brody perched beside him. Hunter and Gavin are standing, and they are all deep in discussion. But maybe he feels the weight of my stare because his eyes slide over to mine and his lips curve up in a smile.

I smile back because yeah …  he does look happy. Turning back to Casey, I yell, "He makes me happy too."

"Are you drunk enough yet to tell us the details of how you two hooked up?" Alyssa yells, just before releasing her grip around Gabby's shoulders and doing a nice spin move.

I smile, lower my gaze, and shake my head. When I look back up, the girls have all stopped bopping to the music and look at me expectantly.