“Jesus. How are you both smiling and chipper?” I groaned.
“What’s the matter, sunshine?” Dylan smiled at me.
Sunshine? The night before he’d called me princess and I was surprised that I preferred it over sunshine. Although sunshine probably sounded better in front of my brother and Rhett.
“She’s hungover.” Fallon smirked.
“Well, we can’t have that,” Jase stated. “You promised us dancing tonight.”
I stood and grabbed my plate. “I’m going back to bed.”
“Sleep it off,” Dylan said. “Then we’ll see you on the dance floor.”
As I started up the stairs, I glanced back. Jase leaned against the counter with Dylan beside him, both watching me with looks that sent a fresh wave of heat to my cheeks. I knew that if I wasn’t careful, I’d want more than just a dance later.
When I finally woke up again, thepounding in my head had dulled to a faint throb. Thankfully, most of the party setup had been handled the day before, so the only thing I needed to do was get ready and do a quick walk-through to check for any last-minute issues.
After a shower and a full face of makeup—including some industrial-strength concealer to hide the evidence of my hangover—I could almost pass as human. Once I added a few curls to my blonde hair and slipped into a short red strappy dress with nude wedges, I was ready to join the party.
Downstairs, the staff rushed around putting the finishing touches on everything. Music played from the outdoor speakers, and the scent of grilled food mixed with the ocean breeze. I madea lap around the patio, checking everything before the guests arrived.
Right on time, a steady stream of people walked into the backyard. Family and friends quickly filled the tables, and every time I tried to slip away, someone stopped me for a chat.
“Faye, sweetheart!” a familiar voice called out, cutting through the chatter.
I turned just in time to see Sean, Morgan’s dad and my father’s best friend, walking toward me with a drink in his hand.
“Uncle Sean.” I leaned in for a hug. “So glad you made it.”
“It’s tradition,” he said with a smile. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
Eventually, I made my way across the lawn and found Jase and Dylan by the pool, beers in hand, watching the crowd.
“Look who finally decided to join the party,” Dylan teased when he saw me.
“I’ve been socializing,” I countered. “Some of us have to greet all the guests.”
“Sounds boring.” Jase took a drink of beer. “You could have hid out with us.”
“As tempting as that sounds”—I smiled and brushed a strand of hair from my face—“I didn’t want to be rude. What if word got back to my parents?”
Dylan reached for my hand. “Well, if you’re done playing hostess, I think it’s time for you to dance with us.”
I slipped my hand into his. “Okay, but just one song. I’ve got things I need to do.”
“We’ll see about that,” Jase returned, seemingly confident they’d keep me with them longer.
If only they knew, I’d rather spend the rest of the party with just them.
The three of us stepped onto the dance floor, joining a few other couples already there beneath the string lights. Dylan’shand found the small of my back, while Jase’s fingers laced with mine.
They moved in close, guiding me between them with ease, as if it wasn’t the first time they’d danced with a woman together. As the warmth of their bodies pressed against mine, their cologne and heat wrapped around me until I forgot anyone else was nearby. My skin prickled as their hands slid over me, each touch leaving me wanting more.
When the song ended, I took a wobbly step back, needing a moment to collect myself. “You two are trouble.”
Jase grinned. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“I’m not sure yet,” I admitted, fighting back my own smile. “But I do have a question.”
