Page 17 of Even Ground

Snorting, I turn toward her. “Pretty sure he’s got his eye on a lot of the ladies.”

“They’re not you, though. I’d be just fine with it if he fell in love with my bestie.”

I swipe the air with my hand. “Oh, please. I’m not his type. There’ll be more plastic at your wedding than a Tupperware party. That’s his type.”

“Stop it.” She laughs. “Reece is a lot more sensitive than he seems.”

“What makes you say that? He seems pretty annoying to me.”

She’s quiet for a moment as she reaches for the remote and then turns off the television. It makes sense when neither of us are watching it. And the topic at hand is far more interesting.

“When he’s not being an outrageous flirt, he’s a really sweet guy. He’s not always the most dependable, but Josh can count on him when he really needs him. And he’s so good with Melly. He mentions his parents sometimes, but I’m not sure if they’re close. It’s like he’s adopted us.”

I say nothing and pick up another chocolate.

“Or we’ve adopted him.” She laughs.

I snort again. “Have you told Josh what a huge crush you had on him?”

She eyeballs me. “We had on him. Josh knows, but he also knows he’s the only one for me. Besides, it’s all a bit weird now with Reece being his best friend. And now that I’ve got to know him, there’s no crush. Believe me on that.”

I bite my bottom lip. “Is he that bad?”

Delaney rolls onto her back again. “No, he’s just become like an old pair of slippers. Comfortable and easy.”

“I hear easy is right.”

She chuckles. “If you’re jealous, he’ll never be able to replace you as my bestie.”

“I’m not jealous.” I huff out a breath. “What other famous friends do you have that I’m going to meet tomorrow?”

Delaney shrugs. “No one really. Oh, except Gabby. Josh has a ton of people he knows coming, but I haven’t met a lot of them yet.”

“Gabby Reynolds?”

She nods. “You know I met her last time we were in Hawaii. She’s going to be in Josh and Reece’s movie, so we’ve hung out a few times.” She links her fingers together. “If you think Josh and I are bad, wait until you meet her and Antonio. Those two practically eye fuck each other all the time. And he’s hot.”

“You seem surrounded by hot men these days.” I yawn.

Delaney holds her arms in the air. “What can I say? I’ve become a hot man magnet.”

“Can you rub some of that off on me?”

She laughs. “I’ll be your wingman anytime, you know that.”

“Can you do that when you’re a married woman?”

Popping another chocolate in her mouth, she chews for a bit and swallows as she seems to ponder the answer. “There’s probably another name for it. I’m sure we can make it work.” She rolls her neck. “I think that’s enough chocolate for the night. I’m going to brush my teeth unless you want to experience my morning breath.”

I grimace. “No thanks.”

“Remember when we used to camp in your mum’s back yard? Did we ever last a whole night before caving and ending up in your room?”

I ponder her question for a moment before blowing out a long breath. “Not that I can remember. Dad hated it because that tent was such a pain in the arse to put up.”

Delaney grins. “He’d get so angry and then your mum would come and sort it out.”

“I don’t miss those days. At least now we’re sensible enough to sleep in real beds and not even try a tent.”

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