Pulling out a chair, I nod for Nina to sit. “So polite, Mr Lowell. Shame you didn’t remember your manners a half hour ago.” She smirks and my cock twitches. That’s the fourth time today. It’s either the heat or there is something wrong with me.
I lean down and whisper into her ear. “Careful, Pix. You know what that smile gets you.”
“It will fall off if you’re not careful, Lowell,” Lance shouts, making everyone laugh.
Silly prick isn’t wrong; I’ve been hard on her today.
We settle in and devour our meal. The food is exquisite and I make a mental note to see Hank later this evening. He’s been with us since me and Scar were small, and I haven’t seen him since last year.
After our food, the girls start working their way through Lance’s famous cocktails. They are all light on their feet and giggling loud before long, and I watch them—Nina specifically—as she looks at something on Megan’s phone.
They have congregated around her and have their heads smashed together as they laugh at something on the screen.
“Give it back.” Nina laughs, leaning in to take the phone.
Lucy grabs it. “Holy shit, Nina.”
“Let me see.” Scar giggles. “Wow, you look incredible,” she tells Nina with wide eyes.
“Guys!” Nina blushes, and I frown.
I want what’s on that phone.
I stand. “Pass it to me.”
Megan looks at me as if I’ve grown two heads. “Fuck off, asshole.” She laughs and carries on.
“Sit down, Lowell,” Lance calls from the other side of the table, a smirk on his face.
“Nina.” I jerk my head for her to come to me. She sticks her tongue in her cheek, holding the phone to her chest. “Come here.”
She shakes her head, grinning wide. “You come here,” she mouths.
I walk to her, needing to see what has caused her to blush. “I want to see,” I tell her, stepping up in front of her.
She passes me the phone, and I look down at the screen. My chest constricts as I take in the image. She is breathtaking. It’s a photo of her, the one she told me about. She is reaching for the camera, but it feels like she is reaching for me. Her dimple is gracing the side of her cheek, and her eyes are locked on the lens.
I look up at her, that same blush from before colouring her face.
“You’re beautiful, angel. You know that, don’t you?”
She looks past me at the boys behind. “Give me that.” She snatches the phone from my hand as I take her into my arms.
“When do you get the photos?” I ask, knowing they are important to her.
“I was supposed to get them this week. I should probably call Joey.”
“Well when you do, I will come with you. I’d like to buy some copies.”
She beams at me, and I give her a soft wink.
I will do anything to keep that smile on her face. It will be my life’s mission.
“Guys, group photo!” Scarlet calls, passing the camera to Lamona, who is one of our staff.
I lean in and give Nina a deep but short kiss, then pull her over to the group. We always have photos by the rocks. Normally as a family or me and the boys. I’ve not been out here with Scar for years, not since we were kids. I never asked if she wanted to get away, and I feel shitty for it.
Looking around at the friends we have now, the girls who both fit perfectly with us and include Scar like she has been a friend for life, and then Nina, who I never expected to bring here. She is the most unexpected—the way she makes me feel.
