Page 32 of Curious
“To make matters worse, now she’s getting married to someone else and keeps trying to invite me to her wedding like she needs to atone or wants closure.” I roll my eyes. “Nothing’s incomplete. She didn’t love me. End of story.” I sigh and look at Shelby. “So, yeah. I was supposed to be married before.”
Even if this is only a temporary thing, I don’t want Shelby to feel like he’sless than. I wrap my arm around his waist and tug him next to me on the couch. “I think Reyna’s right. We need to tell my parents.” I put my fingertips on his chin and gently turn his head toward me so I can study his face. “I can show you off.”
The panic in his eyes would be comical if I didn’t feel the same thing.
“Hey, babe,” I say. Reyna’s watching me cuddle Shelby like she’s a bird of prey, but I don’t miss the way her eyes go soft at the endearment. Whatever. She can think what she wants. “You don’t have to come with me. But it would be weird if they didn’t meet you.”
“Are they going to be pissed that we essentially eloped?” Shelby asks.
I rub my face. “Yeah, probably. They’ll want to throw us some kind of celebration or reception, even if it’s just a barbecue in their backyard.”
“They don’t need to go to that trouble. We can tell them it’s only for insurance.”
“Ugh.” I sigh. “I don’t want to see the look on my mom’s face if we say that. She’s a hopeless romantic and has been stymied since none of her kids have married yet. She was so excited about my and Leah’s wedding.”
“Well, I mean.” He throws out his hands. “I’m available to do whatever you’d like me to do.”
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “You have been available for me, and I appreciate it.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
“Then… want to come to dinner with me and my family tonight?”
“I’ll be there with explanations on.” Shelby grins. I hug him again and kiss his temple.
Reyna eyes me speculatively, but I don’t care. I like Shelby, and he’s my husband. While we’re together, I’ll cuddle him if I want to.
“Where’s dinner going to be?” I ask her. “Mom and Dad’s, or what?”
“No, the trendy place across from the Santa Monica Pier. I forgot the name. I’ll text it to you. I’ll confirm with her that you two are coming. The reservation isn’t until seven thirty, so you have time before you have to be there.”
I stretch and rub the back of my neck, then look at Shelby. “You good with hanging out with the whole Cooper clan?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
* * *
Since the prescription painkillers made me a little too loose, I’m opening drawers in the bathroom, looking for the over-the-counter pain reliever. I’m sure I used it last, but maybe Shelby took the bottle for some reason? I hobble over to ask him, because my ankle is really starting to ache.
It’s a windy, warm day, the sun bright, and the pool is sparkling clean. I’m dying to go for a swim once the cast is off. I’ll just have to be patient.
When I make it to Shelby’s door, I hold up my hand to knock, but the breeze blows it open. I guess he hadn’t fully closed it.
I stiffen. Shelby is bent over, sliding some tight jeans up his lean legs, his little ass facing me.
An ass that’s toned and covered with black briefs in some formfitting, futuristic fabric—German engineered or something.
His skin looks so soft. He’s naturally a deep, dark tan, and he’s, well. Hmm.
Sexy.
I’m not sure what to think about that, but I realize I’ve been standing here too long without saying something, so I clear my throat. He startles and turns around quickly. His platinum hair is standing up straight, and it’s a little staticky in this dry air. I want to play with it.
I clear my throat again. “Um, I was looking for the Aleve.”
Shelby frowns. “It’s in the cabinet in the bathroom in the main house.”
Shaking my head, I say, “I looked. I didn’t see it.”
