Dylan’s looking at his phone as he and Brayden walk over to us. Dylan’s eyes find mine as he answers Ayden’s question with a nod and a, “Yeah, he did.”
Ayden puts up his hand to me for a high-five. I laugh and slap his hand.
“I didn’t do anything other than pose for a few photos.”
Dylan leans in and kisses my temple. “She’s the only reason I got it.”
I turn to him. “I didn’t even know you’d found out.”
He holds up his phone so I can see the screen. “Tim literally just texted me the news.”
I read the congratulatory message, and then I impulsively kiss Dylan. “I’m so happy for you,” I say in his ear.
His arms go tightly around me, and I hear Cameron say quietly enough that I don’t think I’m supposed to hear, “She’s nothing like any of the other women we met through him in L.A. Thank fuck.”
“No, she’s not.” The woman talking sounds familiar for some reason, but my face is still buried in Dylan’s shoulder. “Cam, your inside voice needs some work. We can all hear you, including the amazing person you’re talking about.”
Cam laughs. “No offense meant, Jasalie. We all like you already. That’s all I meant.”
I pull back from Dylan and start to tell Cam I understand and not to worry when—
“Bella?” I slap my hand to my mouth as I stare at my old friend from Apex. “I thought I recognized your voice!”
Bella’s long blond hair gets caught in my jacket as we rush each other in a hug. We spin around in a circle as she says, “I was just in the bathroom! I flew here with Ayden last-minute. I was hoping you’d be here, and I wanted to surprise you.”
I forgot just how beautiful Bella Wesley is; without even trying, she’s got every eye in the room focused on her. Her black jeans hug her toned legs, and her cream turtleneck sweater accentuates her slender figure.
She throws her arms around Dylan, and he kisses her on the cheek. “How’ve you been?” he asks her.
“I live in Maine,” she says, and I laugh.
“That’s all you ever say to me when I ask you the same question,” I tell her. “What does Maine mean to you?”
Her hazel eyes darken, and she shrugs noncommittally.
Ayden, whose gaze has never left Bella since she walked in, puts down his beer. He steps up to her and brushes a stray blond hair off her face. “Bella’s doing great,” he says, his eyes focused solely on her.
Cam taps my shoulder and whispers, “Watch this,” as he passes by me.
He walks straight up to Bella and holds out his arms. “We haven’t gotten to hang out yet tonight,” he says, his white teeth flashing.
Bella turns away from Ayden and gives Cam a hug. He holds on longer than necessary, and she pats his back awkwardly.
The rest of the room goes silent, and I watch as everyone’s head turns to Ayden, whose jaw is clenched so tight I can see it from here.
“You look gorgeous tonight,” Cam says to Bella loudly with a purposeful glance at Ayden.
And if looks could kill, Ayden’s would have sent Cam through the nearest wall.
“Back off her.” Ayden’s command is lethally low. “I’m only going to tell you once.”
Cam lets go of Bella, but his grin widens. “I didn’t realize Bella was taken, Wild. You should have filled us in on your status change. We thought you two were ‘just friends.’ Isn’t that what you always say?”
Ayden narrows his blue eyes on Cam, and Dylan lets out a chuckle. “Cam, point made. Let it go.”
Bella shoves Cam playfully on the shoulder. “Yeah, go find somebody else to mess with.”
Brayden and Jenson drag Cam over to the pool table, and the tension breaks.
