“Ms. Kipling?” Lauren guessed, correctly assuming that the blonde was the woman who had interviewed her over the phone.
“Kelly, please,” Kelly insisted with a small, saccharine smile. “I’m glad to see that you’re enjoying your stay in the islands.”
Grey groaned. The jab at her…whatever it was she had with Lauren was clear, and she shook her head. “Kip, come on.”
The comment could have been considered playful, but the caustic edge to Kelly’s voice told Lauren that the blonde did not approve of what she had walked-in on. And, knowing hard it had been for Grey to even be around her those first few days, she understood. Were their situation reversed, she knew that she would be just as protective of Grey. Lauren sighed and nodded. “I am.”
Kelly looked poised to respond, and Grey sighed. She flashed an apologetic smile at Lauren before she turned and gave Kelly a withering glare. “Let me walk you to the bar to get thatbottle opened,” she said, looking pointedly at the bottle of wine in Kelly’s hands. “We’ll be right back,” she told Lauren, wishing she could do something about the concern that was clearly visible in Lauren’s eyes as she ushered Kelly toward the bar.
“I do employ a sommelier,” Kelly drawled as she led the way across the patio.
“Yeah, and a wicked tongue,” Grey muttered as she sidled up to the outdoor bar beside her friend.
“Sweet talker,” Kelly jibed as she handed the bottle to the bartender to open.
Grey watched the bartender as he uncorked the bottle, and waited until he had made a discreet exit to respond. “Kelly.”
The use of her first name told Kelly that Grey had had enough, and she relented. “Okay, fine. But, seriously, are you sure about whatever it is you’re doing with her?”
Grey shrugged and ran her hands through her hair. Just the mention of Lauren had her turning to look at the redhead. “Yeah. No. I dunno. It’s just…”
“What?” Kelly prompted when it seemed like Grey was not going to finish her thought.
“Inevitable,” Grey murmured as she turned back to Kelly. “Look, I know you’re being all mama bear and everything and, while I appreciate it, I just…I care about her. She’s a sweet girl and she just…” Grey smiled sadly and shook her head. “She doesn’t need this shit. I was the one who kissed her first. She already knew about Emily and she gave me an out, but I didn’t want it. I still don’t want it. I know this is probably not going to end well,” she added softly, finally giving voice to the truth that lurked in the background of every moment she and Lauren had shared over the last few days, “but I can’t stay away from her. I don’t want to.”
Kelly gaped, floored by the fact that Grey had not only said Emily’s name—something she had not done since the funeral—she had also apparently talked to Lauren about her as well. “Well…fuck.”
“Yes, there’s been quite a bit of that, too,” Grey muttered dryly, hoping to lighten the mood.
Kelly chuckled. “You getting laid is not the most revelatory information, Wells.”
“Shut up,” Grey muttered.
“You love me.” Kelly looked over at Lauren and sighed. “So, you’re boning the chef, huh?”
Grey rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t put it so crudely, but yes.”
“Please,” Kelly scoffed. “You just said you guys have been fucking. How is boning any worse? But, most importantly, is the sex good?”
“Amazing. But that’s all I’m telling you.” Grey blew out a quiet breath and smiled. “I’m a big girl, Kip. I know what I’m doing, even if it isn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.”
“Yeah, well—” Kelly reached out and gave Grey’s hand a gentle squeeze, “—I’m still gonna worry about you.”
“I know,” Grey said. “And I love you for that.”
Kelly sighed and looked over at Lauren. Grey’s assurances that she knew what she was doing did little to alleviate her apprehension about what Grey was doing with Lauren, but she also knew that Lauren had to be something special if she was able to get Grey to actually talk about Emily. “I guess I need to go apologize for being such a bitch, huh?”
“That would be nice.”
“Dinner on the house?”
“That would be even nicer.” Grey laughed softly and pulled Kelly into a fierce hug. “Thank you for looking out for me. I know I haven’t been the easiest to deal with these last few years.”
“Yeah, well, that’s my job.” Kelly smiled as she pulled back to look Grey in the eye. “I mean, I’ve been looking out for yoursorry ass since I got stuck with you as a roommate, freshman year. Who the hell else is gonna do it?”
Grey laughed and shook her head as her gaze drifted to Lauren. “I don’t know,” she whispered.
Kelly glanced from Grey to Lauren and back again, noting the way Grey’s eyes had grown soft when she looked at Lauren. “You wanna talk about that?”
