Page 37 of Pinky Promises

“Come on. I’m starving. It seems I worked up an appetite last night.”

“Hmm,” I hum, “and I thought you already ate this morning,” I taunt back, and he throws his head back in laughter.

When we pass the spot where we played our truth-or-dare game, I feel the slightest touch on my pinky and look down to see Callum has looped his with mine. He gives me a gentle smile before turning his attention in front of him. We stay like that for the rest of the walk. It’s not holding hands but a nonverbal promise that we can go as slow as I want.

Cal and I approach the restaurant where we are meeting to see everyone already there.Well, so much for being first.Either they are all speed walkers, or Callum and I took longer than I thought walking the path. With one last glance, we separate. Callum heads over to where Ben and Asher stand looking at some map on the wall, and I join the ladies. I’m impressed they can go a moment not being joined at the hip.Yes, I know pot meet kettle.

“Good morning,” I singsong. “And how is everyone doing this morning.”

Hadley and Lexi both narrow their eyes at me, either wondering how I can have such a cheery disposition, or maybe I have something on my face. Can they see any of the hickies left on me? I want to excuse myself and double-check, but neither gives me a chance to escape to the restroom.

“What’s going on with you? You seem different?” Lexi searches my eyes as if she has some form of a superhero ability to read my thoughts.

I shrug and play it off. “What? Nothing’s different. Just the same old me.”

“Oh my God! You had sex,” Hadley squeals. I know we joke about moms having superpowers, butdoesHadley actually have them?Do I have a giant sign flashing over my head that reads “got laid,” or is that song by the Lonely Island and Akon playing so loud in my head that they can hear it?

“Jesus Christ, will you keep your voice down,” I scold, tugging on both of their arms, pulling them further away from the guys. My cheeks heat, which I’m sure is a color matching the brightest shade of fire engine red available in Sephora in embarrassment.

“Holy shit, you had sex? Who did you bang?” The tone of Lexi’s voice tells me that she will not give up on this easily.

I want to sink in a hole and die the moment my eyes take on a mind of their own and automatically seek Cal out. He’s standing with the guys facing me, and although he’s in deep conversation, his eyes are already on mine.What are they talking about? Is he telling the guys?He has grown close with Ben and Asher. They have what we call a “bromance,” but I don’t think that’s something he would just come out and share, like winning a bet in college.

I quickly divert my attention back to Hadley and Lexi, but it’s too late.

“No. Fucking. Way,” the girls say in unison, putting two and two together.

“For fuck’s sake, stop staring at him. You’re making it obvious,” I hiss.

“Talk about who’s making it obvious? He’s clearly eye fucking the hell out of you right now—way more than usual.” Hadley turns back around to look at him and makes a low whistle. “It’s like he’s notjustfucking you with his eyes but with his mind as he replays it.”

“You would spring this on me just before we leave for our honeymoon,” Lexi whines, her excitement changing to frustration.

I place my hands on my hips and lean to one side. “Oh yes, silly me. You are one hundred percent correct. I said to myself last night, ‘Ooo, I’m going to have sex with my best friend, lots and lots of hot sex.’”—memories of our night play on repeat in my mind, and my skin flushes for a totally different reason now—“just so that I could tease you before you leave for a weeklong honeymoon.”

Both girls stare at me with open mouths. What, no smart-ass comments now? They usually have lots to say when it comes to Callum and me.

“Girl,” Lexi hums, “you got it bad. And don’t you dare”—she points her finger in my face—“share any details till after we get back. I hate that we are leaving straight for the airport after brunch.” She throws her hands up in the air. “Fuck it. I’m telling Ben that we’re postponing the honeymoon. I need deets!”

I think I should be a little scared based on her excitement over this. All I can do is just bring my palm to my cheek and shake my head. I know this came as a bit of a shock to them since I never told them about the conversation on the car ride home last week, and I never gave any indication that I might allow myself to go there. It will be nice, though, to have someone to talk about this because I sure as hell can’t talk it out with Callum without a biased opinion.

Of course, the guys choose that exact moment to join us.

“Woah! What? Postpone the honeymoon? What the hell are you talking about?” Ben steps up behind Lexi and wraps his arms around her waist. My mind drifts to Callum wrapping his arms around my waist similarly last night before we played our game. Who knew three words had so much power.

Truth or dare?

I pinky promise.

I need you.

Fuck me, Callum.

Great, now I’m thinking about sex—really hot sex.The best sex of my life even. It was like he had known my body better than I did.He knows my mind better than I know myself, so why should I be so surprised that it’s the same way with my body.

I steady my breathing and run my palm along my chest to try to cover any sign of arousal.

Lexi spins in his arms and loops her arms around his shoulders. “Baby, I’m just kidding.” She presses up on her toes to kiss his lips before whispering in his ear. However, Lexi only has one volume. So, when she thinks we can’t hear, we totally can. I’m unsure as to whether that was intentional or not.

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