Page 62 of Playing with Seduction

“Then we’ve definitely moved up in the world. The girls will be glad to hear it.” Dash chuckled.

Wes checked his watch and stood. “The party limo will be here in ten. Where is Maya’s brother Cole?”

Liam scrolled through the messages on his phone. “Cole will meet us at the limo.”

“Then we’d better head downstairs. Everyone else is meeting us at the limo, too.”

They loaded the beer onto a luggage cart and headed out into the hallway. Dash pushed the cart onto the partially full elevator. Nate and Hunter got on, too. Wes was about to join them when Liam grabbed his arm.

“You go on. We’ll catch the next lift.” Liam turned to him as the elevator doors closed.

“Look, I know we were joking around in there, but Bree really is phenomenal. If you’re this miserable because she’s gone, that should tell you something, mate.”

“I like her, okay?” Wes looked away from his friend. “I maybe even love her. But what if I’m wrong? What if in six months or two years I feel differently?”

“Love is a gamble, my friend. None of us knows what will happen tomorrow or next year. But if you truly care for her, tell her how you feel and why.”

“What if I tell her the truth and she hates me for it?”

“Then you’ll know she’s not the one for you.”

Wesley’s chest felt hollow at the thought of peering into his favorite brown eyes and seeing genuine contempt.

Still, in light of the pain her absence had caused him, it was worth the risk.

CHAPTER 20

Bree stood on her back deck watering her poor, neglected flowers and enjoying the California sun. She put down the watering can and sat at the patio table with Bex, who was reviewing samples for the camp logo.

“Another cup of coffee?” Bree offered.

“No thanks.” Bex studied her for a moment, then sighed. “Look, I’m just going to say this. I was wrong about you and Wesley.”

“No, you weren’t. You were exactly right. You said I would get hurt and I did. I should’ve listened.”

“But you were so happy. You practically glowed on video chat.” Bex closed her laptop. “It was annoying.”

“Then you should be happy I’m…” Bree sighed, not wanting to finish the sentence.

“Miserable?” Bex squeezed her arm. “I could never be happy about that.”

Bree checked her phone. No calls or text messages from Wes.

“He hasn’t contacted me, so obviously he doesn’t feel the same.”

“Maybe that’s because you cut him off so abruptly last time he called.” Bex had been there when she’d taken the call.

“It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t want a relationship, and I do. So there’s really nothing for us to talk about.”

“Start there. Wes doesn’t seem like the typical guy who just can’t be bothered to keep it in his pants. Something’s got this guy spooked about being in a relationship. You need to find out what it is.”

“I can’t make him tell me.”

“Then ask his mother. She adores you.”

“I won’t pry into his life behind his back. When he’s ready to tell me, he will.”

Bex pulled up a photo Bree had sent her. It was her and Wesley at the top of the Shard. She scrolled to another of them atop Looking Glass Rock.

“See what I mean? You never looked that happy when you were with that jerk Alex. Not even in the beginning. Can you believe he had the audacity to email me about you?”

Bree dropped her gaze, sinking her teeth into her lower lip.

“What aren’t you telling me, Bree? Has Alex been bothering you?”

“He’s left messages. I haven’t answered any of them, but he keeps calling. And while I was in London, he sent a postcard to me in Pleasure Cove.”

“He’s stalking you?” Bex’s nostrils flared. Her forehead and cheeks reddened.

“I wouldn’t call it that. He’s just having a really tough time taking no for an answer. Something I can relate to.”

“You were not a stalker. A determined seductress? Yes. A stalker? Definitely not.”

Bex picked up Bree’s phone and handed it to her.

---