Page 43 of And Then Came You

This Hamptons weekend was more of a trial run, trying each other on to see how we fit. I’m realizing I only fit with one woman.

A woman who right now is standing by the edge of the bar, chatting with Gianni as he prepares some cocktails.

I throw up a hand, waving in Lexi’s direction, but she doesn’t see me. She’s too deep in conversation with Gianni, who is all smiles while they converse.

Suddenly, so is Lexi.

And suddenly, I’m not liking Gianni much anymore.

He takes her arm, leading her into the house, and I glance at my watch. 1:13. If they’re not back outside in five minutes, I’m going in after them.

By the time 1:18 rolls around, I’m livid. Storming into the house in full on alpha mode, I’m more than ready to toss his naked body off her as they fornicate on the floor.

I find them in one of Gianni’s personal galleries. The man is standing far too close to Lexi as he explains the art hanging on the wall.

“This is a Georgia O’Keefe, one of my favorites.”

“Lexi, are you ready to go?” I inquire, my foot tapping the floor.

Her head shoots up, startled by the sound of my voice. “We’re leaving?”

“Unless you want to stay.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I feel the muscle jumping in my jaw, as my eyes bore holes into her.

“We can go. Is Almira leaving, too?”

“Just me,” I spit out, my words clipped. “I have to get back to the City.”

“I’ll gladly drop her at home,” Gianni offers, smiling in my direction.

I don’t return the smile. “She’s leaving with me.”

Lexi’s cheeks redden as she shakes hands with Gianni. When he leans in, kissing her on either cheek, I clench my fists, desperate to calm the jealousy in my core.

Then, with a hasty goodbye to Almira, Lexi and I head toward my vehicle, my glower on full blast.

“Did you have fun?” my friend questions, her voice hesitant. She’s no fool. She can feel the emotions wafting off me.

“Sure,” I snap.

“They certainly liked you. I guess that’s normal, though.”

I grind to a halt, turning to face Lexi. “They don’t like me. They like how I look on their arm. They also don’t have a problem with my new look. Unlike you.”

Holy shit, I’m being an asshole and her wide-eyed expression confirms it.

“Way to be the cocky ass, Sam.” Lexi smirks at me, that mischievous gleam in her eyes. “I guess that’s the price you pay for being gorgeous. Beautiful women hanging all over you. Cry me a river, lover boy.”

“I didn’t request their presence.”

“Like a moth to a flame.”

I know what she’s doing, and normally it would work. Our banter can break through my worst moods, but it’s no match for me right now.

“I know I didn’t fit in there.”

“No, you didn’t.” I regret the words the second they’re spoken. Are they true? Yes, but not in the way Lexi thinks. She doesn’t fit with those vapid piles of self-indulgent people. She’s far superior to them.

But all she hears is that her looks are subpar, once again, to me and my bevy of model buddies. Her gaze locks onto her legs, pale and shapely under her sundress. “Was that necessary?”

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