rushed to his defense, which was telling. “He was clear up front about what we were doing. I just didn’t heed the warning.”
“You’re not a one-night stand type of girl,” Sophia said decisively.
“No, and neither are you. But I don’t think we should beat ourselves up about it. There are girls in the Rock Fuck Club phase of their lives who are searching for their identity and figuring things out. Then there are ones like you and me, who have most of that sorted out and are just looking for the right partner. That’s something, right?”
“Yeah, bestie. It’s not an easy process to find the right one.”
I sighed. “No, it sure the hell is not.”
“So, do you really think Saber is the right one for you?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. But I guess this time I’ll probably figure it out.”
Lotus
“READY?” SABER APPROACHED me with his arm hooked around Shield’s neck, their laughter deep and masculine. Bad-boy rocker bookends in their matching black T-shirts and indigo jeans, they drew attention.
“Yeah, I’m ready.” I nodded, noting that a shuttle bus from the airport had arrived.
Even as early as it was, a lot of people were in the lobby waiting to check in. Most were women. Nearly all of them turned their heads to check out Saber and Shield.
I understood the appeal. Both brothers were tall, handsome brunettes with dark, thick wavy hair. They also had tons of gravitas, moved with confidence, and were built like professional surfers, though they were only enthusiasts of the sport like me.
“Don’t you need to go up to your room to get your luggage?” Puzzled, Saber scratched the middle of his chiseled chest.
“Got everything I need in here.” I gestured to my slouch bag.
“Right. I forget you always like to be prepared.”
“Hmm,” I said noncommittally to his statement. When you’d had the life upheavals I’d had and only had yourself to rely on, it was best to be prepared for anything.
Why does it seem like he thinks that preparedness is a shortcoming?
Shield gave me a brief but disapproving scan. “You look like shit, Lot.”
“You look like a douche. Oh, wait,” I said, being prickly with Shield like I usually was. “You look like that because you are one.”
“Bitch,” he said in his smooth but rumbly voice.
“Bastard.” I made a face at him.
“Whoa, children.” Saber chuckled. “This is a classy establishment, with younger kids than you two present. Better watch the language.”
“I ain’t cleaning shit up for no one.” Shield shrugged free from his brother’s hold. “C’mon. Let’s get the fuck home. I wanna get in some surfing before this stupid meeting.”
Saber frowned. “Not stupid, Shield.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” As he walked away, he thrust his arm in the air, his middle finger extended, and the assortment of braided bracelets on his wrist slid to his elbow.
Ignoring Shield, Saber threw his arm around my shoulders and drew me close. “Missed you while I was in Joshua Tree, babe.”
“Missed you too,” I said, experiencing another pang. A double one of guilt and regret.
“You’re usually more talkative.” Saber gave me a long look as he steered me out of the building. “You seem distracted.”
I almost reiterated that I was tired, but bit back the explanation. I didn’t need another antagonistic response. “I work long hours when I tend bar at Ash’s events.”
“I know you do.” Saber squeezed my shoulder. “Van’s parked over there.” He gestured to the visitor slot Journey had pulled in earlier.
I sighed. It’s over with Journey. I’ll never see him again.
It was a good thing Saber and Shield had been inside the hotel and not outside it when Journey dumped me as he dropped me off, or a tense situation would have been even worse. Journey had a temper that I’d seen twice. Saber had one too, but it usually took a lot to set it off.
I reached for the handle to the passenger-side door of the van, but Saber beat me to it. He opened it, and while I climbed in, he rounded the hood.
Shield’s hand fell on my shoulder from his seat behind me. “Don’t screw him over, Lotus. Seriously, it makes no sense to me, but he was a wreck over you breaking it off with him.”
Saber popped open his door, and Shield released me.
After buckling his seat belt, Saber turned to look at me. “Can you put Ash’s address in your map app for me? I need you to get us back home. Fastest route, avoiding slowdowns.”
The analogy to him and me getting back to