Page 28 of Seven Year Itch
“Well, I looked when I was in town and didn’t see anything, so we’re screwed.”
“We?”I mumble around another mouthful. “I’m the only one suffering on that bed of nails.”
“I’ll take the sofa bed tonight,” she offers casually as she sips her margarita.
“Come again?” I ask, my brows distinctly furrowed.
She shrugs. “We can take turns.”
“I thought you didn’t want to roll around in my musk.”
“I don’t.” She nibbles delicately on a chip. “I’ll swap the bedding out.”
I shake my head. “You must be drunk if you’re offering to do something nice for me.”
“I am a nice person, Calder,” she snaps defensively, her blue eyes stunning against her sun-kissed cheeks. “Outside of you... I am a nice person. Sometimes.”
“She has black-cat energy,” Trista says and hiccups loudly.
“What is black-cat energy?” Cozy asks curiously.
Trista smiles as she replies, “Black cats don’t seek attention, but somehow, they still always get it. They’re really independent and know their worth. I have animal labels for all of you.”
“What am I?” Cozy asks, her jaw dropped in rapt fascination.
Trista giggles. “You’re a pug. Loveable, chill, cute, and cuddly but marches to the beat of her own drum.”
“Do me!” Everly chimes in excitedly.
“You’re a terrier mix. Endless energy and always up in everyone’s business. Wyatt is a German shepherd, Calder is a rottweiler, Luke is a golden retriever, and Max is a Doberman.”
“Oh my God, these are scarily accurate,” Cozy says, her eyes scanning the room as she takes it all in.
“Addison, I need a bit more time to get to know you, but I’m toying with the idea of a border collie after our chat on the beachtoday. Big herding dogs... hard workers and hyperfocused on their task.”
“Why am I the only nondog label?” Dakota asks with a puzzled brow.
Trista giggles. “I don’t know. It’s just a feeling.”
“Don’t sweat it, Dakota.” A shit-eating grin spreads across my face as I lean in close to her. “I love cats.”
She shoves me away. “Are you ready for bed?”
The entire group gasps and hoots and hollers at that very pointed question.
“Do you want me to be ready for bed?” I waggle my brows suggestively, leaning even closer to her to bathe her in my musk that she loves so much.
She rolls her eyes and waves off the group. “Forget it, I’ll just have Carlos walk me by the cage of sky rats.”
The birds. How could I forget? She can’t walk by the birds at night by herself. Some black cat she is.
“I’m at your service, Ace.” I stand to salute the group my goodnight and can’t help but notice the curious looks I’m getting from Trista, Cozy, and Everly. Especially Everly.
As we make our way down the cobblestone path toward our palapa, I realize Dakota is a tad more drunk than I thought because she nearly trips at least three times before I have to offer her my arm.
“Will you just take my arm before you break your ankle?”
Dakota’s brows lift. “Calder Fletcher being chivalrous. Hell hath frozen over.”
