Blaire grimaced. “I know. Rush makes me spend money on clothes. It’s part of his taking-care-of-me thing. I do it for him.”
“Don’t make excuses. Own your sexy self,” I teased.
Blaire frowned and took my hand in hers, getting serious on me fast. I didn’t want to hash this out with her, but knowing Blaire, it had bothered her all night. I needed to let her talk so she could feel better. “I’m sorry about last night.”
I nodded. “Me, too. I was having a bad moment.”
Blaire took a deep breath. “I don’t want to make you tell me something you don’t want to. But I’m here when you’re ready to talk about . . . things. Tripp.”
Last night, we’d been too obvious. At least to Blaire. Slowly, our friends were starting to question our past. But talking about it would mean we’d have to tell them everything.
I wasn’t ready.
“Thank you. And when I can deal with it, I will come to you first. But before that, Tripp and I have to deal with things. Things from the past. We haven’t done that. I just haven’t been ready. Part of me expected him to leave and give up. But deep down, the part of me who knows him knew he wouldn’t leave.”
Blaire pressed her lips together tightly, as if trying to hold back a million questions. She finally nodded and pulled me into a hug. “I love you. I’m here. OK?”
Tears pricked my eyes. “Love you, too,” I croaked out.
When she pulled back, she sniffed and blinked away her own tears, then smiled. “Let’s go celebrate with Della.”
“Yeah. I’m starving. I hope this island breakfast is damn good.”
Blaire laughed as she hooked her arm through mine. “Nate will be here tonight. He’ll be thrilled to see his ‘An Betty,’ ” she said as she patted my arm.
His Aunt Bethy was ready to see him, too.
Tripp
Eight years ago
Bethy hadn’t been to my condo yet. We had spent most of our time together an hour out of town so no one could spot us. But tonight Bethy’s dad was out of town, and I wasn’t letting her stay alone. I had to hope like hell Woods and his friends didn’t show up.
The idea of having Bethy in my bed, sleeping beside me, made any risk I took worth it. I had her overnight bag on my arm as I opened my condo and motioned her inside. She walked in slowly and looked around. It wasn’t that big, but it was nicer than where she lived. I knew that.
“You hungry?” I asked, slipping my hand to her lower back just because I needed to touch her.
She shook her head. “Not really. Can you see the Gulf from there?” she asked, pointing to the French doors leading outside to the balcony.
“Yep,” I replied, setting her bag down on a bar stool and leading her to the doors so she could see for herself.
“This is really nice, Tripp,” she said, glancing back at me in awe.
“Yeah, my grandfather is generous,” I agreed. “My parents hate him for this, though,” I added with a smile.
She stepped outside. “This is a fantastic view.”
Her long dark hair was caught up in the breeze, and the moonlight illuminated her features. She was right. The view was amazing. I walked over and stretched out on the lounger and held my hand up to her. “Come sit with me.”
She came to me without pause. Since the night on the beach, she’d lost some of her nervous reserve with me. I hadn’t done more than kiss and touch her the past week, but that was only because I wasn’t sure I could stop things if I let them get that far again.
I wrapped my arms around her and settled her between my legs so she could lie back against me. Just having her in my arms was enough. Most of the time. Other times I needed to touch her and watch her face as I made her feel good. She was so expressive. I craved that. Although I left most nights in serious pain. I had to get my own release. I couldn’t ask her to do that.
“You sure you’re not thirsty or anything?” I asked her as I drew circles with my finger over her arms. I just liked touching her.
“I’m good,” she replied, snuggling closer against me. “I could stay like this forever.”
Me, too. Having her with me, not having to share her with the world, was perfect. I didn’t want morning to come.