My protest was late, but it was there.
“Just a tiny snore,” he added.“Like a kitten.It was cute.”
I shot him a look that promised retribution.
The night air was cool and salty when I stepped out of the car.Sand shifted beneath my shoes as he led the way, and I followed his every step through the tall beach grass.To my right, the ocean shared whispers with the shore, getting louder with every step we took.
Then a house came into view.
Even half-awake, I could tell it was beautiful.The quaint house gleamed under the moonlight, with its wide windows and a wraparound deck that looked like it was built for sunsets and bad decisions.
“Watch your step, trouble,” he teased, tugging my bag higher on his shoulder.“Would hate for you to fall back there.”
“I'm sure you would,” I said dryly.
He laughed, leading me up the steps and inside.
The house smelled faintly of citrus cleaner and ocean air.Soft lighting illuminated a spacious living room, and I loved the neutral tones that colored the room.Three plush couches fit perfectly in the space and the glass doors behind them opened out toward the water.
And a familiar face paced the room.
Benji.
He was exactly how I pictured him when I saw his Qupid profile.He had sharp features with a shadow of stubble covering his jawline.His short, dark hair was styled back and the crisp, white, button-down shirt told me that he was the polished business man who I would've wanted to show off at the wedding.
A phone was pressed to his ear, speaking rapid Korean with a sharpness that suggested business, not pleasure.He glanced up, muttered something curt, then hung up.
“No fucking way,” Jaxon started with a laugh.He dropped the bags and approached Benji.“What are you doing here?”
Benji’s laugh was smooth and velvety.“Really think I'd miss this?”
There was no denying he was handsome.He looked even better in person than he did on the app.Polished.Controlled.On paper, he was exactly what I’d been searching for.
Safe.Predictable.Logical.
My gaze flicked, traitorous, to Jaxon.Something about him pulled me in harder, disrupting the strict lines I preferred my life to follow.I shouldn't have wanted him.The man was a walking red flag, and the history between us told me never to trust him.
And yet, everything he'd done since we reconnected gave me pause.This wasn't the taunting bully from high school, and it was a constant struggle to keep those walls up.
But after this week, we'd go our separate ways.
Thank God.
Benji’s attention shifted to me, his smile widening.“Savannah.It’s really good to finally meet you.”
“Likewise,” I said, returning the smile.
“And apologies for disappearing so abruptly.My father needed my help with a sensitive matter.”
“Oh, don't worry about it, honestly.I was just glad you agreed in the first place.”
“Had I known you were so beautiful, I might have protested a little harder with my father.”
We held each other’s gazes a second too long, long enough for awareness to spark, and then Jaxon cleared his throat.
“Trust me, we're managing just fine,” he stated, stepping closer to me as his hand settled around my waist.Benji’s eyes flicked to it, then to Jaxon, a silent conversation clearly passing between them.Benji’s lip twitched but he said nothing.
“Everyone here?”Jaxon asked.
