"Don't forget the emergency backup plans for seventeen different weather scenarios," I chip in.
We dissolve into laughter, and for a moment, it feels like we're fourteen again.
"Seriously though," Emma says, her voice softening, "this is perfect for me. I wouldn't change a thing." She drains her wine glass and stands up slightly unsteadily. "Speaking of which, I'd better go to bed if I want to function tomorrow. I'm sleeping here in my old bedroom, so I'll see you at breakfast."
She leans down to kiss my cheek. "Love you, Liv. And I'm really happy for you and Sailor. She's good for you."
As she walks away, weaving between the remaining guests to say goodnight to David, I'm left alone with my thoughts and my wine glass.
Sailor is talking to my father and Uncle Pete under the trees, all three of them with beers in hand. She hasn't drunk much tonight.
I take another sip as I study her from across the dimly lit space. She's unbuttoned the top three buttons of her pink shirtand rolled up her sleeves to her forearms. That charismatic smile that seems to come so naturally, the way she gestures with her hands when she's telling a story, that lean body underneath her clothes. I remember the way she looked earlier in just that towel.
I curse myself when I realize what's happening here. I so desperately want to have sex with her.
The thought cuts through the alcohol-induced haze. I drain the rest of the wine and immediately want another glass. This is dangerous territory, but then again, would it be so bad if she were up for it too?
In a way, it would be perfect. She's just someone I hired. It's safe. No expectations, no complications. Just one night of letting go with someone who already knows this is all temporary.
I hear my name, then watch her laugh at something Uncle Pete says, her head thrown back, completely relaxed. Dad likes her. Mom likes her. Emma likes her.
When was the last time I felt this physically attracted to someone?
I get up and start walking toward them, my heels sinking into the soft grass with each step. I kick them off and continue barefoot. As I approach, the conversation pauses, and all three of them turn toward me.
"Were my ears burning?" I ask with a grin. "Talking about me, were you?"
Sailor's mouth curves into a smile. "Only good things," she says, sliding her arm around my waist and pulling me against her side. "They were asking if you've reorganized my kitchen cupboards yet."
"That's a perfectly normal thing to do," I protest, leaning into her warmth. The wine has made me bold, and I tilt my face up toward her and press my lips to hers in a quick kiss. It’s meant to be playful, but heat shoots through my entire body, and I’m caught off guard. Fuck.
When we break apart, she swats my ass with a chuckle and rests her hand there.
"You found yourself a good one, Liv," Uncle Pete says, raising his beer bottle.
"I know," I say, but as the words leave my mouth, the world tilts slightly. Or maybe I'm tilting. I bring a hand to my forehead as everything starts to spin around me. "Whoa."
Sailor's arm tightens around my waist, steadying me. "How about we go grab some water and head to bed?" she suggests. "It's going to be a long day tomorrow."
I nod, grateful for her solid presence as she guides me away from the group. "I think I drank too much," I mumble, letting her support most of my weight as we make our way toward the house.
16
BLAIR
Iguide Liv through the back door of the farmhouse, her weight pressing against my side as we navigate the darkened hallway. I thought the walk to the house would have sobered her up some, but if anything, she seems even more unsteady now that we're inside.
"Easy there," I murmur as she stumbles on the bottom step of the staircase. "One foot in front of the other."
"I'm fine," she insists, but her words are slurred around the edges. "Perfectly... perfectly fine. Never been better, actually."
I bite back a chuckle. Even drunk, Olivia Barnes is trying to maintain control of the situation.
We make it to the bedroom without incident, though I have to steady her twice more when she sways toward the wall. Once inside, I flip on the bedside lamp and guide her to sit on the edge of the bed. She sinks down heavily, blinking as she tries to focus on my face.
"Stay here," I tell her, though given her current state, I doubt she's going anywhere. "I'm getting you water."
I head to the bathroom and fill a glass from the tap, then return to find her exactly where I left her, staring at her hands in her lap.
