The woman—at least ten years older, a half a foot taller, and a few dozen pounds heavier than me, with wild brunette hair framing her face and the kind of innate self-confidence I envy—watches on with a sparkle in her eye.
“Yeah, that wouldn’t surprise me. Shit-stirrer that he is.”
My heartbeat lowers from my throat back down toward my chest, and the pounding softens to a less deafening roar in my ears.
“Amelia.” I give her a little wave.
“Alexis.” She gives me a nod with her chin in return.
“This is Rory’s older sister,” Weston explains.
I grab the open can of Alani on the floor by my feet and throw back a swig for courage.
“He’s my little sister’s husband’s little brother,” she says back.
“A vivid family tree,” I reply, still feeling like she walked in on something she shouldn’t have and unable to shake the embarrassment.
“Damn, the air’s so thick in here you could cut it with a machete.”
“I don’t think that’s a saying, Lex,” West says, smiling at her.
“I dunno what kind of pent-up tension the two of you have going that I clearly stepped into, but I’m not gonna run and tattle about your little porn-off to Wyatt, if that’s what you’re worried about. He doesn’t scare me, and honestly, we could use another chick with balls in the Heights. More power to ya.” She holds a fist up, careful not to spill her Diet Coke in the other hand.
A slight smile makes its way onto my face once more, and I steal a glance at Weston before giving the newcomer my attention again.
Her guttural voice is so sure of herself, I want to take notes when she speaks again. “I just wanted to introduce myself. Rory told me you’re gonna be in town for a bit longer, and I thought I’d take the chance to invite you out for a girl’s night. If the Gradys have been your only company since arriving, you’re probably overdue for some normal company.”
A toothy grin and a wink tell me it’s all in good fun, and she pulls an awkward smile out of me too.
“My best friend Gracie is the hairstylist at the salon just there,” she points out the plate glass windows to another storefront across the street, “and I work at the grocery store just up the road. We try to go out at least once a week, and sometimes I even get Rory to go with us too. You’re welcome to come with us Friday night, if you’d like.”
She pops her gum and takes a sip from the can to give me a second to respond, but I’m speechless. It doesn’t phase her.
“Not to put you on the spot. Just tell West to text me if you want a ride, I’ll come grab ya.”
Stunned, I stare at her for a moment too long to be a normal reaction, until Weston speaks up for me. “Thanks for stopping by, Alexis. It was a real…pleasure.” His words are still laced with humor, and it’s clear he’ll be laughing in my face about this all afternoon.
“Thanks,” I remember to say a bit too late.
“Hope you two…have fun,” she says with an exaggerated wink, and leaves us to it.
It’s weird that I’m in shock, unable to form a sentence like a twenty-something woman should be able to do. I know it is.
It’s just that I don’t know what to do with myself, or how to respond like a socialized human being.
I think that’s the closest thing to a friend I’ve made since the day my life ended when I was twelve.
“Okay,if Weston doesn’t fuck you soon, I think I will.” Lexi’s gravelly voice is naturally sultry enough that I almost think she’s being serious, but then her grin comes out and I realize she’s not into me, she’s just complimenting me in her own way.
Her warm brown eyes travel over my outfit—the one pair of jeans I have to my name, the ass-kicking combat boots I couldn’t live without, and one of my staple crop tops, my messy waves and bangs, the extra eyeliner I put on tonight—and I feel like the Amelia I wish I were when I see the approval in her gaze. Like she recognizes the fire inside of me that I try so hard to keep alight, and it burns brighter by her side.
So it seems my nerves were unnecessary. There’s something easy about Lexi, there’s no pretenses with her. Her best friend Gracie is exactly what I’d imagine a sweet Southern woman to be. And being around the two of them, somehow I don’t overthink my response. I just let it fly.
Biting down on my lower lip, my eyes rove over Lexi’s body right back. Curves hugged in denim, hair wild and curly, the girl is a stunner, and I let my eyes tell her so.
But then I sigh, and my mouth says, “Sorry, but you just don’t have his dick, and that’sreallyhigh on my list.”
Lexi guffaws, doubling over in a laugh that bisects the crowd around us. So uninhibited, I crave the lack of restraint she shows. It’s not even a thought for her, I’d bet. Keeping parts of herself tucked away and hidden. Not letting others see anything beyond the surface so carefully curated.
