He shrugs. “Who doesn’t like to be naked once in a while? I don’t think I made a habit of it, though.”
“Minnie stripped down and went swimming with the football team senior year.” She pops another fry in her mouth as Alex just about chokes on one.
“I was in a bikini, and all the other girls bailed at the last second. You included.” I point my own half-eaten fry at her. “I jumped in, came up for air, and you were all standing on the dock like the chicken shits you are.”
Bean tilts her head. “That wasn’t the skinny-dipping adventure?”
“You of all people don’t want me to talk about what happened on the skinny-dipping adventure right now.” I wag my eyebrows at her. That was when she and Bobby first got together, and they started in the water but ended up on the beach, not caring who saw or heard them. I saw way more than I wanted to.
“Nope. No, I do not want you to talk about that. Moving along.” Alex and I both laugh. God, I love the sound of his laughter so much.
We finish our food and head to an outdoor market for a couple of hours. There are some cool art exhibit booths that Alex takes interest in. The hallways of Delgado Technology Corp. are decorated with photos and paintings, so it doesn’t totally surprise me when he stops to look at some pieces. When Bean falls in love with some handmade jewelry, he’s quick to pull out his wallet and buy it for her.
“Ah, thanks, Dad. You don’t have to spend money on me, you know. I love you already.” She winks at him, but then gets a serious look on her face. “I feel bad about how much you’vespent on the wedding. I really should have tried to rein Mom in more.”
“I just want you to be happy. I have the money, and I’m more than willing to spend it on you.”
Needing some space from Alex, I wander away. Fifteen minutes later, I find a table filled with soaps and candles and pick up a bar that smells like orange lemonade. I have a thing for citrus.
“Amelia.”
I barely contain the moan his voice almost draws out of me, but I can’t do anything about the shiver that runs down my body. He’s standing right next to me, and Bean is a couple of stalls down, talking to a friend from high school. I put the soap down and take a step back.
“Please talk to me.” His voice is strained. “Please fucking look at me.” My eyes are downcast, and I fight against the want, the need to look up, knowing I’ll see pain in his eyes.
I open my mouth but have no idea what I’m going to say when I hear Bean’s voice. “Minnie, did you see Nina?” She runs up and grabs my hand, pulling me away from Alex and over to the table down the way. “She’s got the cutest baby bump and has a bunch of flavored popcorn!” I sigh in relief and smile at our old friend as she holds out a tray filled with samples.
But I also feel like a lead weight sits in my stomach. The part of me that wants to forgive Alex, or at least talk with him, is growing by the hour.
Chapter 21
A real found family
Alex
I’ve never been to a kids’ baseball game before, and didn’t think I would enjoy it, but I am. I really fucking am.
Amelia’s entire family is here, along with some family friends, cheering all the players on. The whole group goes wild any time Justin, Jenny, or Aaron does anything. Tiffany’s sitting away from the rest of us and looks bored. She seems more concerned with her fingernails and phone than the game.
At the other end of our large group, Grant laughs with a blonde girl around his age.
“So is that Grant’s girlfriend?” I ask, nodding toward them.
“Who… Oh, Haven? No, no, that would be a disaster.” Lizzie shakes her head and shudders.
Amelia turns her head to watch them for a minute. “God, could you imagine?”
“No. That would be so fucking weird.”
“Really? They seem like they really get along.” I furrow my brow. I swear the two of them haven’t stopped laughing since they got here.
Lizzie laughs. “Well, yeah. They’re besties. Have been even longer than me and Minnie.”
Amelia nods. “Mom and Haven’s mom met in the baby store when they were both pregnant. Those two are thicker than blood, two peas in a pod, and basically think of eachother as siblings.” Amelia smiles fondly as she talks about her brother and his best friend.
“We love Haven. She’s one of my bridesmaids, works with me at the coffee shop, and is one of our best friends, too. Minnie even got to see her in the hospital when she was born almost twenty years ago. We both went to the hospital when Raelynn was born, though.” Lizzie grins in the direction of Henry and a little blonde girl sitting next to him, holding his hand.
“So Grant and Haven are best friends, and Grant’s little brother and Haven’s little sister are best friends? That’s cute.”
