The pretty blonde lady put the bracelet in a mesh gift bag and stuffed it with a catalog for more pearl jewelry. Kayden handedher a hundred-dollar bill, opened the small bag, pulled out a bracelet, and placed it on Lana’s right wrist.
“Perfect,” Kayden said.
He nodded at the blonde, then he and Lana walked away. Lana played with the oil slick globe on her wrist when she felt Kayden stiffen. She looked up, and her eyes narrowed in disbelief. Sam was there. And with Carmen! Kayden shifted his eyes to Lana, trying to gauge her reaction at seeing him with her best friend.
Lana couldn’t believe her eyes. It was as if a train wreck was happening in front of her and she couldn’t not look at it.Were they on a date?she asked herself. From the looks of it, they were. It wouldn’t be a surprise with them spending so much time together, and Carmen always thought he was hot—and said it often.
Lana looked at Kayden and recognized that he was waiting for her reaction. She grabbed his hand, smiled, and they walked toward both of them.
“Fancy meeting you two here,” Lana announced when they approached.
They both looked like two armed robbers caught in the act, mouths open, nervous glances exchanged, unsure of what to do. It was almost funny. Carmen stuttered, tripping over her words as she looked frantically between Sam, Kayden, and Lana. Lana put her hand up and stopped her, although no actual word ever came out.
“You don’t have to explain yourself, Carmen. I already knew you were attracted to him even back when we were dating. And Sam, well, it’s not a surprise. I’m not bothered, really, but it is interesting now that I think about it. Was this part of the reason you helped convince my mother about the program?” Lana asked, beckoning her friend for the truth.
“I...” Carmen started, still at a loss, the words lost.
“Like I said, it’s fine, all you have to do is be honest with me. Both of you,” Lana finished, looking at Sam.
Sam, however, was looking at Kayden, and Kayden was staring at him intensely, too. It was as if they were about to attack each other, the mood shifting from uncomfortable to tense.
“I see you haven’t learned your lesson yet,” Sam responded to Lana, never taking his eyes off Kayden.
Kayden snorted, his confidence so exuberant that it pissed Sam off even more.
“I guess she could say the very same thing about you,” Kayden replied.
“Look, I don’t have time for this, and Kayden, he most definitely is not worth your time,” Lana said, grabbing Kayden’s hand.
They began walking away from them toward the end of the pier, their actual destination.
“Did you hear back from Jake?” Sam shouted at her.
Lana froze.Damn it, that son-of-a...
“Who’s Jake?” Kayden asked, looking down at her.
Lana turned on her heel as Sam approached with a forlorn Carmen. Lana crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes shooting darts at Sam. He knew exactly what he was doing, the bastard. Lana looked at Kayden again.
“Jake is Sam’s brother. A federal agent,” she admitted.
Kayden frowned, his eyes still on Sam, his hand still clutching hers.
“Don’t act innocent, as if you don’t keep secrets yourself, Lana,” Sam spat.
“Tell him that you have my brother investigate his mother,” Sam spat.
“I hate you,” Lana barked.
Sam looked visibly affected by the words, his face wincing. Carmen moved her hands from his and backed away from him.
“I can’t do this,” she said.
“What?” Sam asked, annoyed at her reaction.
“I’m not gonna be in the middle of this. Or be who you settle for because you’re still in love with my best friend,” Carmen turned and stalked down the pier, and Sam turned his attention back to Lana.
“What investigation?” Kayden breathed.
