When I do finally touch her—when I let myself act on what's been burning under my skin—it won't be because of her grief that has her vulnerable or because she's searching for someone to make her forget. It’ll be because she wants me. All of me.
The same way I already want her—mind, body, and everything in between.
I’m more than a little pissed I didn't get to take her myself. Instead, I’m stuck here, helping Ezra set up some over-the-top summer cocktail event at his bar, while my head keeps drifting to her. I asked River to take her if they got the chance, but it didn't make it any better. Every second she's out there without me, laughing or moving or just existing, I feel like I’m missing a piece of myself.
“Fuck me,” Ezra mutters at my shoulder, a low whistle following like he's got a death wish.
I jerk my elbow back on instinct, nearly losing my phone as I connect with his chest. He grunts, folding slightly, then straightens with a grin that I’m very close to knocking off his face that shouldn't be watching her like that.
Even if he is my brother.
“That Willow?” he asks, rubbing his ribs. “Damn, she can move.”
“Not. Another. Word.” I grind out.
Ezra lifts his hands in mock surrender, lips twitching as I shoulder past him toward the bar where bright umbrellas and summer crap clutter every surface.
“You like her.”
It's not a question, but I pretend I don't hear him anyway.
“You can't ignore me,” he sings, hopping up onto the bar beside me.
“I absolutely can.”
He leans closer. “Anyone with eyes can see it. You've bent over backwards for her since she moved in. And the jealousy? Mate, it's practically leaking out of you every time her name is mentioned.”
I grab a folded drink umbrella and flick it at his chest. It hits him dead centre.
“I don't get jealous,” I say calmly.
He chuckles. “Sure. So you wouldn't care if I asked her out? Or mentioned how perky her ass looks when she dances?”
My head snaps toward him before I can stop it, narrowing my eyes, and that's exactly what he wanted.
“Yeah. Thought so.”
“You finish that sentence,” I warn quietly, “and you'll be eating through a straw.”
Ezra drops off the bar. “Relax. I’m just saying—this is new for you. You didn't even blink when Rose cheated.”
It's true, I felt disgusted because it was on my bed, and it's just not something I wanted to walk in on that day.
He claps his hands. “This is fucking gold; wait till the rest of the family finds out.”
This time, I toss a flower lei at him. “Not a word, Ez. It's complicated with River and Rose.”
He catches the lei and loops it around his neck like a trophy. “Rose should've signed the papers already and fucked off out of your house.”
Easier said than done. “You know why she hasn't.”
“Yeah, because you're too decent for your own good.”
Then, because he can't control his mouth. “There's no way you can fuck Willow—”
I smack the side of his head.
“Shit—fuck, dude.”
