Juliana settles back on the grass next to me. “Those two are going to be the death of me.”
She can grumble all she wants, but it’s so clear how much she loves the bond Ben’s developed with her kids.
“Are you sure you’re good to watch the girls tonight?” Juliana asks, chewing on her lip. “They’re… a lot.”
“Of course. You and Ben deserve a date night while on vacation. Inez and I already got all the snacks and have movies queued up. We’re gonna pump them full of sugar and borderline inappropriate content before we send them back to you two to manage. I told Colton it was a girls’ night and to find something to do.”
“Oh, yes,” Juliana says, her eyes sparkling. “The famous Colton.”
“Jules…”
“The elusivebest friend”—the emphasis on the words show how little she believes them—“I’ve heard so much about.”
“Yes, my best frie?—”
“Whose name you say all breathily now. That’s not how you said it a couple years ago.” She takes a dramatic breath. “Oh, Colton.”
“It’s a hundred degrees today. I’m panting from the heat.”
“Yeah, I believe you’re in heat.”
“Juliana Ryan,” I say, all mock outrage. “Your children are ten feet away.”
“Don’t try to be all moralistic now,” she says, nudging me with her elbow. “You asked me if I was sleeping with Ben when they were onlyfivefeet away, so that leg you're standing on looks a bit wobbly.”
“Yeah, but I’m the irresponsible auntie type. You’re a mother.”
“Mothers like to hear about their friends getting their brains banged out as much as the next woman.”
I laugh, covering my face as I lean back against the hard bark. “I’m not gossiping about my sex life.”
“So thereissex.”
I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. “Again, I’m not talking about my phenomenal, mind-altering sex life.”
Juliana hollers and claps, earning a questioning look from Ben.
“Such a perv,” I say.
“Hey, it’s been a tough summer for you, and there’s nothing better for stress relief than a steady stream of orgasms.”
I have no doubt she gets plenty of those if the way she eyes Ben’s back—muscles shifting under his shirt as he rows their boat back to shore—is any indication. He gracefully hops out of the boat, helping each of the girls onto the dock, and Juliana sighs.
Ben drops onto the blanket next to Juliana, pulling her onto his lap while the girls run off into the open field. “What are we talking about?”
I open my mouth to change the subject, but Juliana gives me a devious smile and says, “Quinn’s sex life.”
Ben groans, dropping his face into the crook of Juliana’s neck. “Are you going off about Colton again?”
I gesture toward Ben, glaring daggers at Juliana. “How does he even know Colton exists?”
Juliana narrows her eyes. “What’s the big deal if he’s just a friend, Quinn?”
I narrow my eyes right back, but can’t come up with a response.
Ben places a soft kiss on Juliana’s cheek. “Lay off, baby. For all you know, Colton’s ugly.”
“He’s really not,” I say, sighing wistfully, to which both Juliana and Ben laugh. “But it’s nothing serious. Just sex.”
