Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Thanks to Brett, I got a reprieve.
Now I need to remember who I am.
I’m Ariel Tanner.
And I deserve to be here.
We walk, hand in hand, across the sand to the concrete pathway, and—
“Brett, thank God!” A shadowy figure hurries through the dark. “We need to talk. Now.”
EPISODE 24
I'VE GOT YOUR BACK
River
Brett’s been my best friend in the world since forever, and I hate interrupting him and Ariel, but I’ve got to bring him up to speed. Alex is still in the mansion with June and Heather, but I made my getaway.
“Brett, thank God,” I say. “We need to talk. Now.”
“I’m a little busy, Riv.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, but this is important.”
Ariel looks up into his eyes. “It’s okay. I can get back to the mansion by myself.”
“Nope. River and I will walk you back. Right, Riv?”
“Sure. Of course.”
Ariel looks gorgeous, the moonlight casting silvery highlights onto her reddish-brown hair. Her lips are swollen and full. I don’t need to be clairvoyant to know what went on between her and Brett.
I know Brett too well. He loves the ladies. Always has. And Ariel is just his type.
We walk her back to the mansion, each taking one of her hands. Her hand is small and delicate in mine. Rachel was the woman I gravitated to first, but Ariel… Ariel is definitely worth exploring.
Unless Brett has already set his sights on her. He and I have a deal. We’ve had it since middle school. We don’t touch each other’s women. Hands off sisters, mothers, friends, exes…and potential love interests.
Seb and Alex aren’t part of that deal. We’re a tight foursome and always have been, but Brett and I have had each other’s backs since our single digits. We’ve been through some shit the other two don’t even know about. The four of us competing for love like this could strain our friendships, and we all talked about it beforehand and agreed not to let anything come between us. I love all three of them, but if push comes to shove, my first priority is keeping things cool with Brett.
Brett sees Ariel safely back to the mansion, and—after giving her a light brush on the lips—he turns to me. “Spill it.”
“It’s not good.”
“I had that feeling. But you’re a worrier, Riv. You always have been.”
“That’s because I’ve always needed to worry for both of us. You don’t take things nearly as seriously as you should.”
“Don’t I? You don’t build a multimillion-dollar tech company by not being serious.”
“You know damned well what I mean.” I look around the deck. The light is still on by the pool house.
“The ladies were in the hot tub when I invited Ariel for a walk. Or at least they were.” Brett yawns. “It’s pretty late.”
“June and Heather are in the kitchen with Alex.”
“Where’s Seb?”
“He’s…” I clear my throat. “He’s with Evangeline.”
“What the hell for?”
“It’s a long story. Let’s go get Alex. Maybe Seb is back.”
“Seb isn’t…”
“Only if he has to.”
“The fuck, Riv? What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure yet. But Seb is working on finding out.”
We head into the kitchen. Alex is still sitting at the table with Heather and June, who are drinking glasses of something white. Alex isn’t drinking, which doesn’t surprise me. The guys and I all decided beforehand not to overindulge during this event. We need to keep our heads if we’re going to get to know these ladies and see if we’re compatible with any of them.
“You’re back!” June rises and grabs my arm. “Sit with us. Alex is telling us about his latest book.”
I know all about Alex’s books. I’m his beta reader, so I already know what’s in the book. “Actually, ladies, I think we should all call it a night.”
“Oh, no.” Heather rises and grabs Brett’s hand. “The night is still young.”
Brett smiles down at Heather, and with his other hand, strokes her cheek. “Normally I’d agree with you, sweetheart, but we’ve got a huge day planned for you lovelies tomorrow, and we want you well rested. I’d be happy to see the two of you to your suites.”
Heather turns her lips downward, but June acquiesces. “He’s right, Heather. We want to be bright-eyed for the catamaran tomorrow.”
Brett holds out his other arm, and June takes it. He walks them out of the kitchen.
“Did you tell him?” Alex asks once we’re alone.
“Not yet. Seb’s not back?”
“He is now.” Seb’s voice.
I turn as Seb meanders into the kitchen.
“How’d it go?” Alex asks.
“I didn’t have to go where no man has gone before,” he says.
His words have humor, but his demeanor is dead serious.
“What’d you find out?” Alex asks.
“We should wait for Brett,” I say.
“You found him?” Seb asks.
“Yeah. He was with Ariel. He’s walking June and Heather to their rooms. He’ll be back.”
“Or will he? This is Brett we’re talking about.”
Brett saunters back into the kitchen. “This better be good. I could have had a nice little sandwich with those two. They were both willing.”