Page 34 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

Sophie and Maisie laugh and high-five each other. They both cross their arms and look at Raine.

“We’re not dating, okay? We’re just friends. I brought him so you two wouldn’t try to meddle in my love life as usual.”

“Way to keep your cover,” Butch says, swatting her butt. She slugs him on the shoulder. “Good thing you work for the State Department and not the CIA or something. You’d make a horrible spy.”

She sticks her tongue out at him. “I could have done it if you hadn’t touched my butt.”

“Hate to break it to you, but couples touch each other’s butts,” Butch says. “Seb hasn’t taken his hand off Sophie’s butt since we got here.”

“And I don’t plan to.” Seb smiles as he spreads his hand out further. “Unless she asks me to—”

“Never. I want you to touch it more often.” Sophie tilts her head up for a kiss.

“Who do they remind you of?” Butch says, nudging Raine.

“Millie and Mason,” she groans. “I think they’re just as cute and I didn’t think that was possible. Another happy couple. I’ve got to get new friends.”

Everyone spins around and looks at Raine.

“What?” she says. “I was joking.”

“No, it’s just that Alex said that same thing about five minutes ago,” Maisie laughs. “Almost to the word.”

“Aww, look you two are already thinking alike—”

“Sophie,” Raine says, grabbing her shoulders. “Stop. I’m sorry, Alex. She’s obsessed with setting me up with any single man who’s within a hundred feet of me.”

“It’s fine,” I say. “She tries to do that with me, too. I mean with women, though. I’ll protect you from her.”

“Mae,” Sophie says, grabbing Raine’s arm and pulling her into a group hug with Maisie. “Alex wants to protect Raine.”

“Oh my God, stop. Sophie!” Raine laughs as she tries to break out of their hug.

“Sorry, man,” Seb whispers to me. “I did tell her to stop.”

“I’m guessing from the way Alex is looking at Raine he doesn’t much want her to stop,” Butch says, gnawing on the toothpick that’s dangling from his mouth.

“Do you have all of your bags?” Seb says, looking at Butch. “We should probably get going. The party starts in two hours. We don’t want to miss the next ferry over to St. John.”

“Yeah,” Butch says. “Just two bags. My duffle and her enormous trunk filled to the brim with books.”

“Books,” Sophie whispers as she grabs my arm again.

“Stop.” I bump her with my hip.

“Here, I’ll grab Raine’s bag,” I say, reaching for her suitcase. Butch gives me a wry grin. “I mean unless you want to carry it, Butch.”

“Naw, you’re good.”

“I’m just trying to be polite,” I say, staring at him.

“Is that what you’re trying to be?” he says, locking his eyes with mine. His face is still tight, but I think I see a slight twinkle in his eyes.

“Butch,” Raine says. She pulls his chin toward her as she starts tapping on her head.

“What’s wrong, Raine? Why are you tapping your head?” Butch says, smiling. “You got a headache or something?”

“No,” she says, her eyes getting wider as she continues to tap her head. “I’m just trying to pop my ears from the flight.”

“Is that what you’re doing?” Butch laughs as he puts his arm around her and pulls her toward the exit. He puts her in a headlock and starts messing up her hair.

“Stop it,” she says, laughing as she tries to break his hold.

I let them get out of earshot before I whisper to Seb, “Didn’t she say they weren’t dating?”

“Yeah,” he whispers, “but from the look Butch gave you, you’d better keep your eyes—and hands—to yourself until we’re sure.”

“I might have my eyes and hands removed to be safe,” I say as I start rolling Raine’s bag toward the door. “I’m not looking to die on this trip.”

---