“Kay,” Alka says. He kisses Oscar. “Be back in a bit.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say.
“You too,” Oscar says. “I hope to see you again soon.”
Alka places his hand on my lower back and guides me from the deck. Once we’re far enough away that I’m sure I won’t be overheard, I say, “I definitely think he’s made for the screen.”
He laughs loudly.
CHAPTER 12
OSCAR
Ilook over the top of my word puzzle book when I hear Ruby laugh. A smile climbs as I watch him and Alka in the pool. He’s been here a few times since we were introduced last week. The three of us don’t hang out, exactly, but I think Alka’s trying to get him used to my presence.
He was definitely nervous the first time we met and incredibly quiet the first time Alka had him over to hang out, but he’s coming around. He’ll offer me a smile now, and we’ve exchanged a few words.
They’re mostly just talking as they float around in the pool. Occasionally, I’ll look up and see them kiss. It’s slow and sweet and new. You can just feel the newness of their relationship as it becomes more and more every day.
Giving them their privacy, I turn back to my word puzzles. I found this book at one of the “everything” shops. They have literally anything you could ever ask for, including a book with a dozen different kinds of word puzzles to keep you entertained when you’re looking for a quiet moment in the air conditioning.
Right now, I’m doing a crossword puzzle. It’s the kind where they don’t give you clues. Instead, it lists words, and you need to figure out how they all fit together in a Scrabble configuration.
The longest words are usually the easiest. There are only so many spots the sole 14-letter word can fit, ya know?
A splash of water makes me look up just before Alka drops onto my lounge. I scooch over, giving him some room. He flashes me a smile and shakes his head, spraying me with pool water. I give him a bemused smile while the droplets run down my sun-baked skin.
Alka lays at my side, pressing his body against mine to allow room for Ruby. He hesitates before sitting beside us. Alka urges him to slide down by gently tugging on his arm. With a sigh, Ruby does.
To be fair, this bungalow isn’t set up for entertaining. It’s designed as a romantic, secluded destination for two. Besides a couple chairs around the small table, the lounge is the only seating in the side yard.
I feel Ruby shiver through Alka’s body, like a phantom shudder. I sit up to grab the towel draped on the bar and settle it over the two of them.
“Thanks,” Alka says, giving me a smile over his shoulder.
I set my book down on the bar and curl up at his back. He sighs. I know when he’s started to kiss Ruby because of the way his body moves—notmovesbut… his breathing. The subtle, small movements of his head.
Oh, and the sound of their kisses.
Okay, maybe I peek a little. Adjusting my head so I can press my lips against the back of Alka’s bare shoulder, I peek at Ruby just as he opens his eyes a slit. They open wide when he sees me.
Oops.
Maybe I should duck away again.
“What’s wrong?” Alka asks.
Oh damn.
Ruby doesn’t answer right away, his eyes moving between me and Alka. I can feel the way Alka sighs, and I don’t like that feeling.
“It feels weird kissing you with your husband,” Ruby says quietly.
“Sorry,” I say and sit back. Alka grabs my hand and pulls me back to where I was, which doesn’t surprise me.
“I guess we’ve only kind of talked about my marriage in the abstract,” Alka says. “So maybe we should talk about it more as a fact than as something that wouldn’t affect… this.”
Ruby licks his lips. “I didn’t… I’m sorry. It’s just a little weird. I feel like I’m the other guy and your husband just caught us necking.”
