Page 14 of Love Unavoidable
“I will keep a hand on you just in case,” he smirks.
Brad weaves in and out of tables in the long room until we reach the other side and to an area outside, filled with cushy couches and chairs, surrounding a large stone fire pit.
This is stunning out here.
He stops at a table between two facing couches where two women and a man sit. Quite possibly the most attractive people I’ve ever seen.
“My god, are all y’all in California just beautiful? Is it like a pre-requisite for living here or something?” I blurt out without thinking.
“I think I’m in love with you,” the one who I believe is Kat says. “Sit.” She pats the cushion next to her, I follow her command, and Ethan sits on the other side of me. She holds her hand out. “I’m Kat-the-beautiful,” she giggles. I shake her hand and then turn to the couple on the other side of the table. The woman is rolling her eyes at Kat.
“Ha!” Kat yells. “I saw that Remi. You owe me ten bucks.”
“Jesus, beautiful, this is getting pricey,” the man next to Remi says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a wad of bills. He hands one over to Kat then looks at me.
“Hey, I’m Chance, this is my wife, Remi-the-beautiful.” He smiles. Both reach over to shake my hand. They could be models. Him with his bright blue eyes and panty dropping smile. And her looking like a dead ringer for a young Liz Taylor.
Brad sets down their shots and I realize why Remi’s is pretend, she’s pregnant.
Ethan settles back in the couch and puts his arm around me along the back, idly playing with my hair. I am not even sure if he realizes he’s doing it.
Remi realizes it though. She gives me a knowing look, then raises her eyebrows toward Kat, who leans over and looks at us, then gives both Remi and me a similar look.
“Ethan,” Remi says. “How come you didn’t get Sadie a shot to do with Kat and me?”
His face falls. “Oh, I didn’t even think about it. We weren’t coming over here initially. I can go get you one right now. I’m sorry, Sadie. Would you like another drink too? Have you finished your bourbon?” He can’t get the words out fast enough and is already standing and ready to head to the bar.
“It’s okay,” I tell him. “I didn’t want one, I’m good. Really.” I grab his hand and pull him back down next to me. He sits but does not let go of my hand, holding it lightly in his and running his thumb along my knuckles.
Remi smirks at me. It makes me feel good, knowing Ethan wants to do things for me. And that his friends think he likes me. I think I might like him back. We barely know each other, but I feel a comfort with him that I didn’t even have with Aaron.
We settle into an effortless conversation. Kat and Remi are easy to talk to and we soon find that we have a lot in common. The way they are together reminds me of Tenley and I. Lexie is their best friend also, but being the bride, she is busy with guests and wedding activities. I look forward to getting to know her better as well.
Ethan leans over to whisper in my ear, “You okay? I mean, here hanging with my friends?”
I smile up at him, I don’t even need to think about it. “They are awesome.”
“They are pains in my ass, but I love them anyway.” He starts to say something else, but I am not really listening. Instead, I am watching his lips. Imagining how they would feel on mine. Trailing down my neck, sucking on my—
Okay, halt, Sadie! Abort thoughts.
Wait, why abort thoughts? I am a grown single woman, I can do what I want.
“Do you want to get out of here?” I ask, suddenly feeling very emboldened and confident.
Or reckless.
Maybe all the above.
“I do,” he says. He takes my glass and sets it next to his empty beer bottle on the table. I stand, ready to make my apologies for leaving, when I hear a familiar voice behind us.
“Sadie, can we talk?” I turn around, Aaron is standing there, his eyes hopeful, his expression melancholy.
“I . . . um . . .” I don’t know what to say to him.
“We were just leaving,” Ethan says, standing and putting his hand on my lower back.
Oh, fuck.
