“See what?”
“I know everything.”
“How do you figure that?”
“Was that not the best fight we’ve ever had?”
“I think I’m going to have to say no just so you don’t start fights with me.”
I chuckle and kiss her neck. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
“What do you want to do tomorrow?”
She doesn’t answer. I look at her and her eyes are closed, her chest moving slowly. I kiss the top of her head and pull the sheet over us.
“Sweet dreams, beautiful girl.”
FIFTY-FOUR
Jada
I’m blissed out.
My body is relaxed, my mind beautifully washed from any stress or lingering effects of the past few weeks. I don’t feel the tightness in my shoulders that I’ve been experiencing, and the low-grade headache is gone. I expected it to be worse this morning after all the wine last night, but I was surprised to wake up feeling good. Great, even.
The sun’s rays are hot against my skin. There’s a gentle breeze flirting by that dances across the water of the pool, carrying the smell of chlorine and pop music from the speakers. I lie on the chaise, eyes closed, enjoying the peace.
Cane’s hand rests on my stomach, the heat and weight of his skin startling me. I look to my side, to him lying on the chair next to me.
He’s in a pair of white swim trunks, his skin a chiseled and tanned piece of perfection. He gives me his shy smile, and it does to me what the sun cannot. I melt. For him.
“You okay?” he asks, stroking my skin with his fingertips. They leave a trail of goose bumps despite the heat.
“I’m great.”
“You’re perfect.”
“Stop,” Kari cuts in, her voice thick with sarcasm. “You’re gonna give her an ego to match yours.”
My sister winks at me. She stands at the end of my lounge with her hand in Max’s. A couple walks behind them, the girl’s eyes on Max. It makes sense … he does look like a cover model in his dark green trunks. His abs are rock solid, his golden skin showing each ripple of his muscular body. But sadly, for the girl, Max doesn’t notice. His attention focuses solely on my sister in her dark-blue bikini.
“Oh, please,” Cane says, pulling his sunglasses down and looking at Kari over the top. “You’re the one with the ego the size of the Grand fucking Canyon.”
“Don’t. Don’t even start your shit with me, Cane Alexander.” Kari laughs.
He laughs and sits up. “What do you wanna do today, Max?”
They exchange a look that I can’t quite read, but I feel like I’m missing something. When Kari starts grinning, I’m sure of it.
“I’m about ready to head inside and grab a sandwich. Y’all hungry?” Max asks.
“We just ate,” I say, thinking back to the huge buffet Cane and I had for breakfast. “Or it feels that way, anyway.”
“I could eat again,” Cane says.
Kari looks at me, her eyes shining, and I know I’m in trouble. “I’m not hungry either, so let’s go shopping.”
