“Jekyll and Hyde?” I smiled at my inebriated sister. “I have no idea. He’s confusing and time consuming and ridiculous.”
“And delicious,” Kari hiccupped.
“Is Max that way?”
“Yeah, he’s delicious all right.”
“Not what I meant,” I laughed.
Kari’s face fell, sobering. “Oh, Jada. I don’t know what to do with Max.”
“Why?”
“Because I like him.”
I smiled softly, the truth finally coming to light. “That’s good, Kari.”
“No, no it’s not. When I met him, it was supposed to be all about sex. That was clear from the get-go.” She fiddled with the edge of her dress. “But he’s so thoughtful, Jada. He worries about me. He goes out of his way to make sure I’m happy. I don’t know what to do with that.”
“You enjoy it. I like Max. I think he’s good for you. Maybe you should just see what happens.”
“Oh, like you are so willing to see what happens with Cane,” Kari taunted, nodding her head exaggeratedly.
“That’s different. I know what will happen with Cane. Unlike you, I’m basing my decisions on experience.” My eyes were caught by the flashing image on the table top. “Your phone is ringing.”
She looked down. “It’s Max. I was supposed to call him tonight and didn’t.”
“Why not?”
Kari shrugged. She looked down, the phone stilling in her hand. She pressed a few buttons and held it to her ear. “Hey, Max. What’s up? Yeah, I know. Sorry. Jada wanted to come to Casaar’s tonight.”
“You liar!” I laughed.
Kari giggled, trying to ignore me. “No, we’re actually sitting on the back deck right now, cooling off.” She swirled her drink in her glass while she listened. “Maybe I’m a little drunk. But Jada’s here, so I’m fine.”
“No, we are taking a cab. We’re not stupid.” She glanced around. “Yeah, well, I will see you tomorrow … Max!” The phone slammed to the table with a thud. “Sometimes, I hate him.”
“I totally don’t believe that. If that was true, you wouldn’t have that look on your face right now.”
“He’s coming to get us,” she said smugly.
“You secretly love this, I can tell.”
“I do and I don’t know why. He said he doesn’t want us in a taxi this late.”
I watched Kari for a moment, considering what to say next. “Have you ever considered that maybe you like Max more than you are even willing to admit?”
“Now why would I go do something stupid like that?”
“Because it’s true.”
“Have you ever considered that maybe you like Cane more than you are even willing to admit?”
“No. Because I don’t.” I wasn’t about to have a conversation about any feelings I did or didn’t have for Cane Alexander. There was no reason to spoil the night.
Kari sighed. “Whatever. I’m going to grab some water. Stay here in case Max comes, ‘kay?”
She walked across the stone patio, towards the little bar outside that offered water and soda. She disappeared into the sea of bodies.
I placed my head in my hands. Kari has what she needs and she doesn’t even recognize it. For the first time in her life, she has snagged a good man. Why does she keep fighting him off?
I tried to remember Kari’s last serious fling. Besides the Australian surfer, the only one she ever seemed serious about was a firefighter from Colorado. That ended abruptly after just a few weeks when he took a job in Northern California.
I’m just going to lay it all out there for her. Make her see what an idiot she is being.
The last time I had “laid it out there” for her involved hot chocolate, tissues, and a Julia Roberts marathon.
I could go for that right about now, anyway.
I fiddled with a coaster on the tabletop absentmindedly, when my entire body suddenly tensed.
My heartbeat quickened in my chest as my body went on alert. A chill came over me as I lifted my head and scanned the crowd once again. My sight felt drawn to the back entrance of the patio. A man was turning away from me, a dark baseball cap pulled down low over his face. He turned quickly, sliding his way out of the gate as the rest of the patrons in that area stood in a group, absorbed in a conversation.
I saw the back of his red shirt and a bit of jet-black hair sticking out the back of the cap, a contrast to the color of his shirt.
I craned my neck to get a better look, but he was gone.
An eerie feeling settled over me as I sank back into my chair, chewing on my bottom lip.
Stop it. I’m just overstimulated tonight.
I swallowed hard as Kari appeared again from the throngs of bodies, one of the water bottles pressed to her forehead. “It’s a madhouse over there!”
“I can see that. But I do appreciate your sacrifice.”
I took one from her outstretched hand, unscrewed the top and took a drink. The coolness of the water felt amazing against the heat of the air. I looked around the patio and until my eyes landed on a tall, dark, and handsome man.
“Water is not what I was expecting to see you drinking,” Max said, smiling at us as he approached.