Page 69 of Taming Waves

“What is it?” Anson asks as he tries to grab the container, accidentally knocking the lid from my grip. He peers inside. “Dude, is that what I think it is?” he exclaims before bursting out laughing.

“Don’t keep us in suspense!” Lennon shouts.

I reach inside and pull out the device from its resting place. “Just what I always wanted,” I say, holding it up for everyone to see.

It’s a silicone rope adorned with five silver metal beads and a series of knots, ending with a finger ring.

“Are those anal beads?” Amiya gasps.

I scan the crowd until I spot Audrey’s amused eyes locked on me.

I hold her gaze as I respond, “It would seem so.”

“Wow! Those definitely trump the boobie beer mugs we got you,” Amiya remarks.

Audrey

“Those beads were from you, weren’t they?” Amiya asks as we carry empty cake plates to the kitchen.

“Yeah. Inside joke,” I admit.

She sets the plates in the sink and waggles her eyebrows. “Joke or not, I hope you’re going to let him play with those tonight.”

I laugh. “God, no.”

She frowns. “Well, you’re no fun. It would have been the icing on his birthday cake.”

“What are we talking about?” Eden asks as she waddles in with more dirty dishes.

“Audrey teasing Parker,” Amiya says.

“The s’mores?” she guesses.

“S’mores?” Amiya questions.

“Yeah, with all the chocolate and the licking,” Eden explains.

Amiya raises an eyebrow at me. “Are you sure about that no playing?”

“Okay, so maybe we were teasing each other a bit. It was just …” I can’t find the right words to describe it.

Amiya leans her elbows on the island and studies me. “I don’t get it. You’re attracted to him, and he’s obviously really into you. You’re both consenting adults. What’s holding you back? And don’t give me that ghosted bullshit again,” she asks.

“It’s a long story,” I say.

“They always are, darling,” she says with a smirk. “Look, I don’t know what kind of teenager Parker was. I know what kind I was—immature, selfish, and even a bit foolish—just fumbling through life and trying to figure it all out. However, I do know what kind of man Parker is. He is a good man. He is loyal, responsible, strong, and kind—not at all foolish. A man who knows who he is, what he wants, and from where I’m standing, all he wants is you.”

“For the next month,” I mutter.

“Huh?”

I shake my head. “Enough about me and Parker. How about you let me help you with this mess?”

She stands. “No, Lennon and I can do this later.”

“Amiya, I swear, if you don’t allow me to help, I’ll never come to another one of your parties.”

She lets out an exaggerated huff. “Fine, if you insist.”

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