Page 101 of Playing Flirty

Neema tossed the keys to Shaun. “Since you’re jumping in with us, you can drive. I’d like a nap.”

Shaun nodded, and I turned to William.

“Aren’t you coming?” I asked, failing to hide the disappointment in my tone.

This only made his lips curl up. “I am. But I have something really important that I need to finish first. I’ll be there a bit later.” He held my gaze a second longer than usual before lifting his hand in a wave.

I sucked in the deep desire I had to be close to William and climbed into the backseat, trying not to mope about it.

When we arrived at the venue, I took a moment to admire the beauty of the old, rustic building covered in dark green flowering vines. Images of my own planned wedding, with Patrick as the groom, sprung to mind. I shuddered at the thought.

Carefree Rose. Casual, carefree Rose. This is about Shaun and Neema. Not about me. Or Patrick.

I repeated it to myself, hoping at some point I’d believe it.

“So, what’s William busy with?” I asked.

Shameful snooping and yet I couldn’t help it.

“Dunno. I asked and he said ‘work,’” Shaun replied, his tone hiding a hint of frustration.

At that exact moment, the events coordinator appeared with a list of questions. We volunteered Shaun’s services while Neema and I went upstairs to check out our bedroom.

“I can’t believe Shaun doesn’t want to have sex until our wedding night.” Neema tutted, throwing herself onto one of the beds.

I collapsed on the other. “I think it’s sweet. It’s only a few more days. If I’ve survived this long, you’ll be okay.”

Grumbling to myself, I thought of all the times I’d tried to rabidly climb William, and each time we were either interrupted or William had cooled us down just as we’d begun firing up.

Neema shot me a look and then rolled over and shoved her face into the pillow with a loud groan. “Don’t confirm any of this, because if you do, I’ll have to tell Shaun. But, Rose,” she said, her voice muffled by the pillow, “I am not blind, and I see how you glow in William’s presence. I’m all for fun, you know that. You deserve it. But right now you’re a little sad, and I think it’s because he’s not here. That tells me it’s more than just hooking up.” She shoved her face deeper into the pillow. “And now, a wild Patrick has appeared, and I don’t know if you can handle this level of chaos.”

I was completely unsure how to respond.

“So?” she asked, lifting her head in my direction while holding the pillow against her face.

“You said not to confirm anything.” My mouth had gone dry. I kept my gaze fixed on the crystal chandelier above the bed, grateful she couldn’t see me.

“Tell me you both know what you’re doing, and you know what you want. Tell me you’ve discussedsomething, and this isn’t going to blow up and make us all awkward with one another.”

When I didn’t say anything, she lowered the pillow until her eyes peeked above the satin edge. Her brows drew together upon seeing my face.

“I don’t know what to tell you.” My heart banged against my rib cage, a call for help. “We haven’t spoken—”

Neema let out a high-pitched squeak and lifted the pillow to shield her face once more. She blew out a frustrated breath. Suddenly, it dawned on me how selfish I’d been. I had ignored how this thing—this unnamed thing between William and me—would affect her and Shaun, or Shaun and me, or her and William.

If William and I ended things, was game night together still an option? If I was engaged to Patrick, would we still hang out together? Would Neema have to coordinate which nights I could visit and which nights William could?

A soft whimper escaped me.

This time, she tossed the pillow aside and faced me. “You’re already emotionally attached, aren’t you?”

The corners of my lips flicked downward even though I tried to keep a straight face. I imagined I looked a lot like a sad, guilty puppy.

Her expression softened, and she jumped from her bed to mine. “Oh, hon.”

“Are you going to tell Shaun?”

“I can’t start a marriage with a secret that absolutely affects and involves him.”

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