“I’m not saying that, but you can’t try to tell me he’s one of the good guys.”
I sighed. “I don’t know what he is. But maybe I should stay to make sure Taylor’s ok.” I didn’t want to stay behind, but Taylor and I did have a girl code. I couldn’t leave her on the beach at night with a group of strangers, even if I knew half of them.
“Darlin’, suit yourself.” He leaned to kiss me on the cheek. “I’ll probably be asleep when you get in.”
I refrained from pouting. “Ok. I’ll see you in the morning.” I watched as he weaved through coolers and dancers. Taylor owed me one.
This could not be happening. I watched from the office window as my best friend locked lips with Mason, and it wasn’t some kind of innocent kiss. It was a primal, I-might-rip-your-clothes-off-in-the-parking-lot, hot, heavy, and slow kiss. It might go on for days the way they were lost in each other. I turned several times, but every time I swiveled in my chair, I caught a peek of Mason’s arms wrapped around her, the edge of her T-shirt sneaking up her hip. They were all over each other. I hung my head. Well, this explained why there wasn’t Mason’s usual to-do list under the door this morning when I walked in the office.
The party started to wind down last night not long after Grey left. I waited dutifully for my friend. She and Mason returned before the last partiers left. Taylor assured me he could walk her back to the Palm. I wasn’t about to get in the middle of that, so I picked up my sandals and trudged home alone, hoping I might catch Grey before he drifted off to sleep.
I clutched my coffee in my hand as Taylor tore herself off Mason. He hopped in the convertible, honked twice as he passed the office, and sped down Gulf Boulevard.
Thirty minutes later, Taylor appeared in the office, glowing. I couldn’t pinpoint what it was exactly. Her skin, her eyes, the smile that wouldn’t fade.
“Eden, that was the best night of my entire life.” She fell into the open chair.
“I’m glad you had fun at the bonfire.” I stood to pour a cup of coffee for her.
“I’m not talking about the bonfire.”
I spun on my heels. “Tell me you did not sleep with him the first night.”
“I did!” She squealed.
I stared at her in disbelief. “But that’s Mason. The Mason.” It wasn’t her first one-night stand; that part didn’t bother me. This had more to do with the complicated drama Mason had dropped in our laps.
“I know who he is and now I know all about what he can do.” She giggled. “You told me he was good-looking, but I think you really downplayed it.”
I shrugged. “I wasn’t trying to grade his hotness.”
Taylor pretended to fan herself. “I have never had a night like that.”
“Ok, ok. I don’t need details.” Imagining my best friend with Mason was weird. Grey was going to flip.
“I think it’s serious.” She crossed the room to retrieve the cup of coffee I had for her.
“Serious? You just met him last night.” Granted sex had a way of escalating things, but this was nuts. It couldn’t be serious in less than twenty-four hours. Could it?
“I have this feeling about him.” She settled into the chair again. “We just had this immediate connection. Like we were supposed to meet. Isn’t that how it happened for you and Grey?”
“Yes, but he wasn’t trying to ruin anyone’s life.” I was annoyed she didn’t see the problem with this relationship. Mason and Grey were not alike.
“You’re the one who invited Mason to stay here. You know he’s not all that bad.”
My shoulders tensed. “I invited him so he wouldn’t tear the place down. I was hoping he would change his mind on the lawsuit and the demolition.” My plan had failed miserably. Taylor knew all of the short Mason history.
“We didn’t talk about any of that stuff.”
“Of course you didn’t. He wasn’t interested in that.” My voice rose louder than I meant it to. Taylor stared at me. “Sorry. I just wish you could see how awkward it’s going to be if you end up in a relationship with someone who is trying to sue my boyfriend and subsequently put me out of work. It’s a nightmare. You have to see that, Taylor.”
She stood from the chair. “I don’t know what I think right now. I was hoping my best friend would be happy I found an amazing guy the same way she did. That’s what I wanted to see.”
She quietly closed the door behind her and walked to room twenty-four.