“I’m sure I’ll find some time. Can I hold on to this?” he says. “I feel like there has to be a clue in the actual message at the back. It’s not just a fun poem. I want to study it a bit more.”
“Sure, maybe we can also talk about it tonight at Cocktails & Chaos with the girls. Maybe one of them will have some ideas.”
“Sounds good to me. Shall we get going? We just need to pick up my rental car. I can get the keys down in the lobby.”
“Ooh. What did you get? A Mercedes, Lambo, Rolls-Royce?”
“No, Mia, a Jeep.”
“Oh.”
“Disappointed?” His eyes crinkle as he bends down to grab his leather satchel and places his laptop into it.
“Jeeps are fun.”Not as fun as Lamborghinis though.
“Yeah, they are. Especially if we go off-roading.”
“We’re not going off-roading, Luke.”
We head back out of the hotel room and toward the elevator, and I can’t help, but notice that he moves with such a confident gait. He’s really grown up. He is all man now. I swallow hard at the thought. He’s all man in all ways.
Not that I care. Or even really notice.
“Not even once? I promise I won’t feed you to any gators or snakes.”
“You’re not fooling me again, Luke.” I giggle as we step into the elevator and head down to the lobby. It must have just been cleaned because it smells like Lysol, and I rub my nose. “I still remember when we were in high school, and we used to spend our days together doing every harebrained idea you came up with. It’s really good, having you back here, but I’m the big boss now. You’re my sidekick now, hon.”
“I’m meant to be your sidekick?” He chuckles, like he knows that I know there’s no way that’s going to happen. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m just saying that it’s nice, having you to do things with.”
“You mean, like you’re the boss, and I’m just your manservant to do what you want with?”
“That’s not what I’m saying, Luke.” I giggle. “But, yes, I’m the boss.”
“I see. So, is this some sort of subservient relationship? Am I your sub, Mia?”
“My sub?” Cue my racing heart. These conversations are different from when we were younger. But then we never explored in this way before. Even if it was for a performance. “You mean, my submissive?” I burst out laughing at the quizzical look on his face. Luke always knows how to make me laugh. “In what world would anyone think that you were my submissive?”
“Maybe in the world where everyone knows that you’re a bossy boots who wants to have her wicked way with me whilealso?—”
He stops as the elevator beeps again, and Rex and Andi enter, looking like they were just arguing.
“Why, hello, Mia.” Rex immediately steps next to me, then glances over at his brother in disdain. “Hi, Luke.” Then he looks me up and down like he’s trying to undress me with his eyes. “Where are you guys off to?”
Andi stands to the front, looking uncomfortable.
“We’re just going to head over to Mia’s place and then to the beach and to her bookstore.” Luke sidles next to me and wraps his arm around my waist.
I can see Rex staring at his hand and then smirking. I make eyes with him while leaning back into Luke.
Rex runs his hands through his short blond hair, and once again I’m reminded of how different they are in terms of looks. Both of them are gorgeous, of course, but Rex is the typical surfer type with his dirty-blond hair and his bright blue eyes. He resembles their mother, except for his build, which is strong and muscular, like his father. Mr. Haverbrook was also a football player and was quarterback of the football team at the University of Florida when he was younger, which is why I think he gravitated toward Rex more than Luke, even though Luke resembled his father more.
“So, what’s the plan for tonight?” Rex asks. “Are you guys going to go for a special dinner to celebrate not having seen each other in a long time?”
“We’re going to hang out with some of our friends.” I frown.
Rex looks at me and laughs. “Weird flex, bro.”
