The redhead shrugs. “Still texted.”
“Oh, whatever.” Casey laughs. “What’re you doing in Michigan? I thought you were in Arizona?”
“I was, but for only two days. It’s Taylor’s birthday, so Landon surprised her with a trip up here,” the redhead explains when one of the guys behind her says something I can’t hear. She nods and says to us, “Food’s ready. Come over.”
Casey glances at me, leaving our answer up to me,which I appreciate, and I shrug. “I could eat,” I say softly so only she can hear.
“We’ll meet you there,” Casey calls out.
The redhead beams, and their boat takes off. Casey follows in their wake. I ask, “Who was that?”
“Oh, shit. My bad,” she says. “I have to introduce you guys. That was Lily.”
Lily! The infamous Lily. I finally get to meet her. I’m so excited, but then … oh, my god.Thatwas Lily. The gorgeous redhead with big tits was Casey’s sexual awakening and ongoing casual friend with benefits?
Oh.Oh, fuck.
Okay. No big deal. I’ve been wanting to meet her. Aside from the sexual aspect of their dynamic, I know they are friends first and foremost with almost two decades of history. This doesn’t have to be weird.
But also, oh, my god. Did Casey and I almost kiss? We did, didn’t we? I discreetly glance at her, she catches me and smiles.
I blush at getting caught. She doesn’t wait for me to return her smile before turning back to the water. We’re gliding at an uncomfortably fast speed before she slows down, and she eases into the dock.
My breathing is all funky as realization prickles across my skin. We definitely almost kissed.Again. And now we’re not talking. Is it an awkward silence, or is she just focused? She did smile at me after all, and we weren’t far from her house, so it’s not like we’ve gone that long without talking. Fuck. I amwayoverthinking this. I need to chill out. For all I know, nothing was going to happen, and I’m reading into nothing. Yes. That makes more sense. Hell, it’s only been two hours since we agreed to forget last night ever happened and to not move forwardwith her offer.
“She’s only a few houses down, so we’ll just walk over, if that’s okay?” Casey asks, after tying up the boat.
“Yeah. Cool. No problem. Sounds good!”
Oh, my god. Stop talking.
Casey nods, frowning slightly. “You okay?”
“Yeah!” I squeak, not at all convincingly, but hold my arm out. “Lead the way.”
Casey hesitates then does.
It’s not hard to know which house is Lily’s even if I didn’t remember it from kayaking with Casey last night. The lawn is swarming with people. The same man is standing at the grill, a beer in hand, while laughing with two other men also dressed in khakis and polos. There are people sitting in every Adirondack chair surrounding the fire pit, hands filled with either plates of food or red solo cups. There’s a roar of cheering from the beer pong table.
“Casey!” Lily shouts and runs over to greet us. She swallows Casey in a hug so big, they start rocking side to side. My chest tightens.
They pull back, but they’re still gripping one another’s arms. “Lily, this is my best friend, Dakota. Dakota, this is my best friend, Lily.” Casey doesn’t look at me as she says this, her eyes still locked with Lily’s. “I’m so glad you two finally get to meet. It’s so long overdue.”
“Dakota! It’s great to finally meet you,” Lily says, and, after another excruciating moment, she peels her gaze away from Casey and turns to me.
I stand taller, my mouth splitting into a small but proud smile at knowing Casey has talked about me enough to leave an impression in Lily’s mind. I know they’re close, but I always forget how close.
“It’s nice to meet you too,” I say.
Lily turns back to Casey. “How’re things with Marcus?”
Casey rolls her eyes. “We broke up.”
“Awh, that’s too bad.” She sounds sincere, but doesn’t look it. In fact, she licks her lips all suggestively while scanning Casey up and down so fast you could miss it if you weren’t staring at her. Not that I’m staring at her.
“Lily, you’re up!” A Black scrawny guy in a backward baseball cap calls from the beer pong table.
“Perfect timing!” Lily grabs Casey’s hand and pulls her toward the table. “The dream team is back together. It’s time for some revenge!”
