Page 74 of Finally Forever
Instead of pushing me to remember more, she rises onto her toes and kisses the scar under my bottom lip.
I’m caught between awe and wanting to toss her on the bed.
“Come on.” She entwines her soft fingers with mine and leads us down the hallway toward the stairs. No one has ever thrown me, but she does. I can’t predict her actions. I’m at a loss when it comes to her in more ways than one.
27
Ainsley
We are the last to arrive at the pool.
Nathan and Riley race laps up and down the lagoon-like pool while Kensington sits on the steps, keeping score.
“Hey, guys!” She greets us with a big smile, her long hair soaked, her bright pink bathing suit showing off her amazing runway-model figure. “They’re racing. Riley keeps winning, and you know how Nathan doesn’t like to accept defeat.”
Sebastian laughs and releases my hand.
He let me hold it for the whole way here, which, given the size of this house and how the indoor pool is on the opposite side of the mansion, felt like a long time. I kept waiting for him to pull away, but he didn’t. And he had a memory. Well, flashes of our trip. It’s something, a start. Maybe more will come, and he’ll remember me.
My heart flutters with excitement, much like it did when Sebastian and I were secretly dating, and I couldn’t wait to see him. I miss the rush.
Faster than it seems possible, Sebastian dives into the deep end and catches up with the guys as they swim back toward Kensington. He was behind them at first but caught up and passed them quickly. Show off.
They tag the edge of the pool and come up for air, shaking out their hair like dogs and pelting me and Kensington. I squeal, expecting the water to be cold, even though Kensie had said it’s heated.
She laughs, throwing her head back.
“Who won?” Nathan asks, panting.
“Sebastian.” Kensi laughs again.
Both Nathan and Riley glance at Sebastian, noticing him for the first time.
“You fucker!” Nathan splashes him. “I had this.”
Riley pats his back. “Only because I was letting you win.” He doesn’t sound nearly as winded as Nathan.
“That’s because you live in the ocean. You’re like a fucking fish.” Nathan walks toward Kensington.
She jumps into his arms with a splash. He spins her around, and she screams and laughs.
Those two must always have fun.
“There’s a hidden slide in those rocks over there,” Riley says to Sebastian and points to the far side of the pool, where rocks, plants, and palm trees form a tropical wall that looks inspired by Hawaii. Two sections have waterfalls. Water gushes down the rocks, adding to the ambiance.
“It’s fun. Try it.” He waves for Sebastian to follow him and swims in that direction.
Why am I the only idiot not in the pool? I toss my robe on one of the loungers and take the steps into the water, surprised at how refreshing it feels. Not too cold or hot. Celebrities have it all.
“I want to try the slide,” I say as the guys splash to the far side of the pool.
“Go join them.” Nathan gestures in their direction.
I’m not used to him being this nice to me. I can only imagine Kensie is the reason for his happier demeanor and friendliness toward me. Maybe it was Harper’s negative influence or my interference in Sebastian’s life that worried him when we were in college. Whatever it was, he’s over it and seems totally accepting of me and Sebastian.
I take off, using the freestyle strokes I learned as a child, and swim to the other end of the pool.
Hooting and hollering echo from what sounds like a tunnel. The slide? A moment later, Riley shoots out from one of the waterfalls.
