He nods contemplatively. “How much time?” He arches an eyebrow and begins swaying again when the song changes to something more upbeat.
I shake my head slowly, caught off guard. “I just . . .” I shake my head some more.
“What do you want, Everly? Tell me.”
“More time,” I repeat. “So we can talk. Without all this.” I wave my hand around to indicate the party, the people.
“Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
“Okay, I’ll stay.”
“You will?” I stop dancing now and grip his biceps. He nods, grinning widely. Forgetting our surroundings again, I throw my hands around his neck and hug him.
He must forget too because he lifts me off the ground and spins me in a circle. We realize the spectacle we’re making at the same time, because he sets my feet on the ground as I cover my mouth with a giggle.
“C’mon, let’s go put our suits on and go for a swim.”
“I’ll meet you back here in five.”
“Race ya.”
Chapter 26
Julian
Everly smacks a kiss on my cheek and walks away on pencil-thin heels in that tiny naked dress, and I shamelessly watch her go, frozen to the spot she leaves me in.
“Care to dance with me?”
I turn to see Allie beaming at me. “It would be an honor.” I sweep her into my arms and twirl her to the beat of the music.
“It’s so good to see you happy. It’s been a minute.”
“It has. And I am. Hey, you mind if I stay a little longer? Tony’s been stepping up at Fit more and . . . I could use a few more days. Not sure they’ll even miss me.”
“Not at all. Stay as long as you want. You know you don’t even have to ask. Luke would love to have you here full-time, but we agreed to you commuting as needed. Unless that changes.” Allie is a subtle meddler, never pushy, but her message is clear regardless.
“Thanks,” I answer vaguely. “Not sure how long, but I’ll let you know when I decide. If that’s okay.”
“Perfectly okay. I’ll tell Luke. He’ll be happy to hear it.”
I nod, smile and keep swaying to the beat.
My mind wanders toher.To what I’ll do with my time here. I’m excited, like a kid on Christmas, for the first time in seven months. She’s different but still as intriguing and captivating as that first day I saw her at Fit. More so. She’s more confident and even more breathtaking with her sculpted surfer body. I’m in awe of her still and I want to be near her—like a planet to her sun. I scan the backyard and find her with her friends, laughing and joking, headed toward her cottage—to change into swimsuits, I assume.
When the song ends, I hug Allie for everything I want to say but don’t because we’re in the middle of a party. She hugs me back. I know she’s barely old enough to be my mom, but she’s been more nurturing to me than any woman in my life. I don’t know if I have the words to tell her what that means to me—how it’s shaped me. Emotion wells up to push behind my eyes.What has Claire done to me? Unlocked some pent-up sap?The thought makes me smile. I make a note to give her shit about it at my next appointment. “I think we’re all going swimming. You and Luke joining us?”
“Maybe. I’ll check with him. The last of the investors are leaving, so it’ll be just friends, family.” She squeezes my hand when she says family.
I lean down and kiss her on the cheek. “Okay, gonna head upstairs and change really quick.”
“Sounds good.”
Upstairs in my room, pulling swim trunks out of my suitcase, a female giggle draws me to the window. One of the twins leans against my Jeep and Seth has one arm resting against it beside her head. The other is twirling a lock of her hair. The conversation is giving flirtythirst. Just as I’m about to back away and drop the sheer, he leans in and pecks a soft kiss on her cheek, takes her hand and drapes it around his neck as he turns and heads toward the patio and pool. My curiosity is piqued, but it’s none of my business. I strip quickly, don my swim trunks and slide a cotton muscle tank over my head.
At the pool, the chicken fights are already commencing. Lilly is on Noah’s shoulders wrestling the twin on Seth’s. Taya drags Mitch into the water, though he doesn’t look thrilled about it. Ever is on the other twin’s shoulders. Both turn as I sit on the edge of the pool, sinking my legs into the cool surface.
