Suddenly, Sophia turns to me, her expression serious. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot,” I say, taking another swig of the martini.
“Do you love him?D, I mean.”
I nearly spit out my drink. “Jesus, Soph. Way to ambush a girl.”
She shrugs, unapologetic. “Just curious. You two seem… different lately.” She adjusts her bikini bottom with a finger. “I mean… in good ways.”
I stare out at the ocean, watching D scoop up a giggling Alex. “I… fuck, I don’t know. Love’s not exactly been my forte, you know?”
“But?” Sophia prompts gently.
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “But this… whatever it is… it feels different. Deeper. Like I’m actually part of something, not just passing through.”
Sophia smiles, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “Sounds an awful lot like love to me.”
“Puufff! Don’t be ridiculous!” I wave my hand like a madwoman, nearly knocking over my glass.
Sophia looks at me, her eyes piercing into mine; she squints. “I’ve never seen Wren Davis squeal like a girlie-girl before.”
Shitballs, she’s right.I’ve never screamed like this before. And I surely have never checked out a man like I’m doing right now.
D’s just emerged from the sea with Alex perched on his shoulders, water cascading down his body like he’s in some kind of fucked-up shampoo commercial. His muscles ripple as he walks, each step kicking up sand. The scars that crisscross his torso catch the sunlight.
“Holy fuckballs,” I mutter, my eyes glued to the spectacle.
Sophia smirks, catching me gawking at my man. “Getting an eyeful, are we?” she teases. “Can’t blame you; he’s like a damn work of art.”
“Shut up,” I growl, but I can’t look away. D’s laughing at something Alex said, his face transformed. The hard lines aresofter, his eyes crinkling at the corners. It’s like watching a tiger turn into a housecat.
“You know,” Sophia says, her voice dripping with amusement, “if you stare any harder, you might burn a hole through his chest.”
I tear my eyes away, feeling heat creep up my neck. “I wasn’t staring. I was… observing.”
“Uh-huh.” Sophia gives me this cheeky look, her eyebrows raised.
I flip her off, grabbing my beer and taking a long swig, desperate to drown out her teasing. Of course, I down it way too fast, and the next thing I know, I’m choking and sputtering; Sophia’s doubled over with laughter.
I glare at her between coughs. “Shut… up,” I wheeze, beer dribbling down my chin.
I’m still struggling to catch my breath when I hear a familiar giggle.
“Momma funny!”
I look up, eyes watering, to see D standing in front of me, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. Alex is giggling like I just performed the best comedy act of his life. His little hands are clamped over his mouth.
“Laugh it up, boys,” I manage, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. “Real supportive.”
D chuckles, leaning down until he’s at eye level with me. His voice is low, teasing. “You alright there, or did the beer beat you?”
“Beer’s fine,” I huff, still trying to recover. “Just went down the wrong pipe.”
Alex is still giggling beside him, tugging on D’s hand. “Momma got wawa comin’ outta nose!” he squeaks between laughs.
I wipe my nose, giving him a playful glare. “That’s right, kid. Momma’s got a magic nose. Makes water come out when I drink too fast.”
“Come on,” D says, straightening up. “Join us in the water.”
