Page 35 of From West, With Regret

Holt’s expression deflates. Asher nervously trades glances between Holt and me. I can tell they don’t know what to say or what to do. They weren’t expecting that response from me.

“I’m sorry, man.” I groan, running my hand down the length of my face. “I know you were just trying to be a good friend. It’s just my relationship with Heath was complicated.”

Holt sighs, his nostrils flaring. “It seems it was that way with his wife, too.”

“Yep.” I take a swig of my beer as the breeze brushes over my skin.

“How is it working with London?” Asher asks, taking a sip of his seltzer and lime.

The steward brings us another round of drinks without us even asking.

I tell him thanks and glance down at the pier, waiting anxiously for London. Since we’re in the middle of summer, Holt invited the entire group to spend the day on his yacht.

“It’s good.” I play it cool, not diving into the complexities of my relationship to London. “I think she’s adjusting to it fine. She’s already working on the first piece to hang at The Veiled Door.”

If my ties with Heath were too complicated to share with my friends, I won’t even bother going into it with London.

Asher nods. “I think it’s great you’re there for her after losing your brother. I’m sure it’s comforting for her to feel like she still has family on her husband’s side.”

I curl my lip, my stomach souring. “It’s strange. I never thought of London as my sister-in-law. Heath and I hadn’t talked for years, and even before that, we never got along.”

Asher nods again, and I can tell I’ve made the situation awkward again. Dammit.

“I was adopted.” I give in and share a slice of my past. “I didn’t meet Heath until we were fifteen, and he hated me from the start. We had a rocky relationship.”

“Trust me,” Asher says, his eyes softening. “I know what it’s like to have complicated family relationships. It’s why Charleigh and I will never move back to Connecticut.”

I nod, remembering how he told me about his rough beginning back in Connecticut. Our childhoods aren’t the same, but they are parallel.

Neither Holt nor I elaborate on Asher’s comment. Holt breaks the tension when he tosses out a plastic chip, laying down his bet on this first round. Asher flicks his eyebrows and begrudgingly matches his bet.

I do the same, then check my phone under the table for a text from London, smiling when I have a new one. She texted me earlier asking if I planned on joining the group today, and there was no way I was going to miss out on an opportunity to spend time with her outside of our work capacity.

London: I don’t think I’ve ever been on a boat before. Have a bucket ready, just in case.

I quickly type out a reply.

Me: Don’t worry. If there isn’t a bucket, you can lean over the railing. I’ll even hold your hair back for you.

The rolling three dots practically kill me before her response finally hits.

London: Such a gentleman.

I’m about to type out a response when Julianna emerges down the pier, followed by Selene, Charleigh, and London.

Julianna holds onto her large sun hat and looks up as she crosses the bridge, stepping onto the yacht. “All right, boys, the girls are all here! The party can officially begin.”

“Party already started an hour ago!” Holt shouts back, never looking up from his hand.

The four women make their way up the stairs to join us on the top deck. Selene barely looks up at the group before spinning and spotting the table of snacks and champagne. She makes herself a mimosa and downs half of it in one gulp. Charleigh makes a beeline for Asher and slips into his lap. They’re quickly tied up in each other.

London gives me a closed-mouth smile, and she’s fucking breathtaking. She sits in the cushioned bench along the outer edge of the deck and crosses her long legs, her black skirt splitting to reveal her smooth skin underneath. The ties of the bathing suit she’s wearing peek out from under her loose knitted top.

Julianna stands behind Holt and glances around the table. “Well, this is exciting.”

“No one said you have to play,” Holt spouts back.

“Trust me, I’m not.” She snorts. “I’ve been waiting to take this baby out on the river ever since you bought it, and today is the perfect day for it. I plan on lying out in the sun the whole day.”

---