Page 41 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

Raine

“It’s a pool party, Raine,” Sophie says, sighing. “You have to wear a swimsuit.”

When I hesitate, Maisie jumps over to my suitcase and starts rifling through it.

“Raine,” she says, looking up at me, “why are there at least ten books in here? You’re not studying the entire trip like you did on our eighth grade spring break.”

“I’m not in school anymore, Mae. I don’t need to study,” I say, grabbing the book she’s holding up. “They’re pleasure books—vacation books.”

“This one’s calledCriminal Profiling: The Forensic Science,” she says, pulling out another one.

I grab that one, too. “Like I said, pleasure books. Sophie, make her leave me alone.”

Sophie’s rubbing suntan lotion on her arms when I look back at her. She’s taken off her sundress to reveal a skimpy white bikini.

“Oh my God,” I whine, “put your body away. Why does it look like that? It’s the reason I don’t want to wear a swimsuit.”

She tilts her head and raises her eyebrows. I swear she’s been doing that same thing since we were five, and every time she does it, I know I’m about to do anything she asks me.

“Get your swimsuit out now, Raine,” she says, pointing at my suitcase. “If you didn’t pack any, you can wear one of mine.”

“Like I have anything on my body that could fill up even a part of your swimsuits.” I grab my one-piece out of the suitcase—stuffing the tiny bikini Millie made me buy to the bottom of the bag—and head to the bathroom to change.

“Really?” Maisie yells after me. “Can you still not change in front of us? We’ve known each other more than twenty years.”

“Leave me alone, bossy,” I say, closing the door and locking it.

“If you come out of there wearing a wetsuit, I’m getting the scissors,” Maisie says, banging on the door.

When I’m done changing, I peek out. They’re sitting on the bed, staring at the door. I pull the towel tighter around my chest and walk out slowly.

Sophie leaps off the bed and pulls the towel off me. She gasps. “Oh my God! That suit’s adorable. It’s so low-cut. Look, Mae, Raine has boobs.”

“Quit,” I say, slapping her hands away. “Is it too much?”

“It’s just right. That emerald green color is gorgeous on you,” Maisie says, bouncing off the bed and turning me toward the mirror. “Look how hot you are. Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much of your skin.”

“Millie made me buy a bunch of new clothes before we left,” I say, pulling on the suit to try to make it cover more of my breasts.

“Who’s Millie again?” Maisie says, flopping back down on the bed.

“My best friend—”

“Excuse me?” Sophie says, pulling her sundress back on. “I’ve held that title since birth. She can get in line.”

“My best friend from my work life then.”

“Does she work at the State Department, too?” Maisie asks.

“Uh, no, not exactly,” I say, grabbing the matching cover-up out of my bag. “Let’s get to the party. The guest-of-honor shouldn’t be late.”

“When has Sophie ever been on time for anything?” Maisie laughs. “So I noticed Alex looking at you in the rearview mirror when we were driving over here this afternoon. I think he’s into you.”

“He is not. He just likes to make eye contact when he talks.”

“He was making a lot of eye contact with your ass as we were walking out of the airport,” Maisie says.

“And he was all tongue-tied,” Sophie says. “I’ve never seen him nervous around a woman.”

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