Page 45 of Spin Serve

“Nothing. What’s up with you?” Kendra said, feeling a little like an outsider in this room filled with professional athletes who looked perfect in anything they wore while she’d dressed up a little too much for the night, given that most of them looked like Aspen and weren’t wearing a shirt buttoned up to their throats like Kendra was.

“Nothing. We have the room, and there are pitchers of beer and margaritas on the table, if you want one,” DJ explained. “We have appetizers out already, and they’ll take everyone’s order soon.”

“Are you the party planner all of a sudden?” Aspen teased.

“No, I just got the details from–” DJ stopped and promptly blushed.

“Let me guess. Chase?”

“It’s Mark’s birthday. That’s why we’re all here. So, yeah, Chase planned it.”

“Mark? Mark Midson?” Kendra asked.

“Yeah,” DJ confirmed of Chase’s beach partner. “He’s turned twenty-eight. Chase thought about having everyone out tonight to celebrate. He’s actually paying for the whole thing.”

“He can afford it,” Aspen mumbled.

Kendra leaned in and asked, “What do you mean?”

“His dad is a real estate investor. Millionaire,” Aspen whispered, and Kendra shivered at the sensation of Aspen’s breath rushing over her ear and neck. “Chase doesn’t have to do anything, so he plays volleyball.”

“What are you two talking about over there?” DJ asked. “I’m assuming you’re telling her bad things about Chase?”

“She was just telling me that he can afford to pay for this party. That’s all.”

“Sure, she was. She doesn’t like him very much.” DJ pointed at Aspen. “But I do.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“You’ve heard? You told her?” DJ turned her head to Aspen.

“Where are those margaritas you mentioned?” Aspen asked instead, looking around DJ toward a long table that was covered in pitchers and various food items.

A few people sat in chairs, but most were milling about, holding drinks, and chatting away.

“You’re not a big drinker, I thought,” Kendra said.

“I’m not. But I can have one to celebrate Mark. I actually like him.”

“Hey!” DJ said with a laugh.

Aspen’s hand went to the small of Kendra’s back then, and she ushered her over to the table where she poured them each a margarita. Kendra wasn’t a huge fan of the drink, but she’d had one with Wyatt and Everly not all that long ago and now had another one in her hand. She didn’t dislike a good margarita, but if she had her pick of drinks, it wouldn’t be the one she’d choose.

“Are you okay?” Aspen asked when she returned to Kendra’s side after saying hello to Mark and a few other people.

Kendra wasn’t sure where she fit in, so she’d leaned over the banister that separated the patio of the restaurant from the beach in front of it. She’d been staring out at the ocean and the people in the sand for the past ten minutes.

“I’m okay. Why?”

“I brought you this.”

Kendra looked over and saw her holding a glass of red wine.

“You like red, right? Merlot okay? I’m sure it’s not great, but, hopefully, it’s tolerable.”

“You got me wine?”

“You’ve taken a few sips from that, I think, but I’m assuming you’re not a fan.”

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