Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3)(46)

“Oh, sweet girl,” she said into my hair. “I knew they couldn’t keep you apart.”

When she let me go, Jay hugged me, saying, “That is crazy. But cool. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

We sat down again, still wired from the big reveal.

“So what happened next?” Jay asked. Then his cheeks got splotchy. “I mean, not, like, next next, but, you know, after?”

I picked up the story, telling them how Pharzuph had come to my dorm room in his new form. They were shocked and disgusted.

When I was done, Patti let out a giant sigh.

“I’m so thankful we’ll have this night. I’m gonna pop that turkey in the oven and start prepping stuff. Why don’t you two go to the pool and try to relax? I think your bathing suits are in one of those boxes upstairs still.”

“I can help you with the prep,” I said.

“Nah.” She smiled. “Let me. I’ve got plenty to occupy my mind now. You two go be young or something.”

She was humming to herself as she went to the kitchen.

We changed our clothes, grabbed towels, and headed down the street to the neighborhood’s pool. A couple of families were at the shallow end, so we took lounge chairs at the other end of the pool and lay down. The sun felt glorious.

“I can’t believe you’re married,” Jay said next to me.

“I can’t believe you’re gonna be a dad,” I countered.

“Aren’t we too young for all this? Weren’t we just learning to drive or something?”

“I know, right?”

We both got quiet. He stared off, and the burdens he carried were apparent in his distant eyes.

“Jay . . . how are you feeling?”

“I don’t know. Man. It’s like, I’m not really afraid for myself, but I’m scared for Marna and the baby. I want to keep them safe, but I feel like this little nobody. Powerless or something.”

“You have more power than you realize. Knowing you love her gives Marna strength. She’s happy, Jay. I know it seems crazy, but I think she feels loved by someone other than Ginger for the first time in her life, and she’s thankful.”

“But I don’t want her to die.” His voice thickened as he choked up, causing my own throat to swell with emotion. I couldn’t respond. All I could do was reach over and link my fingers with his, connecting us in our fear and sorrow.

Lying there next to my oldest and dearest friend felt right—the stretch of silence between us was soothing.

Some kids came over, calling Jay by name. He seemed to cheer a little, getting into the water with them. Of course he’d made buddies in the short time he’d lived here. The kids took turns climbing to his shoulders and jumping off. I lay back on the lounge chair and rolled to my stomach, content as I watched them.

Sounds of splashing faded as I dozed.

And then I heard a beautiful voice. . . .

“Cover your arse, and nobody gets hurt.”

I lifted my head to see Kaidan crouched next to me. He was here! Just as I was about to get up and throw my arms around him, his gaze slid down my body to my butt and stayed there. Hello, stormy eyes.

I felt twice as hot under the sun as I had one minute ago.

I threw the towel over my body, which forced his eyes back to mine.

“Hey,” I whispered.

He touched my face, and I leaned into his palm.

“I feel like it’s been a year since I saw you,” he said softly. “I’ve missed you.”

I reached up and cupped his hand. “I’ve missed you, too.”

“But you’re still in trouble.” His voice was low and gravelly. “I need you.”

“Um . . .” I looked around.

“Come with me.” He was serious. He took my hand and I sped to keep up, holding the towel around my body. Jay caught sight of us and waved from the middle of the pool, but when he saw Kai’s determined face, he raised his eyebrows. I shrugged a shoulder innocently, and Jay shook his head. My cheeks flushed.

Kai led us to the women’s dressing room, and when he started to push the door open, I pulled back, looking around.

“You can’t go in there!” I whispered.

He pulled me forward. “It’s empty.”

Next thing I knew, we were in a shower stall, kissing behind the closed curtain.

“What if someone comes in?” I asked.

He pressed my back against the smooth tiles. “I’ll be listening.” He pulled off my towel and dropped it to the dry floor with a growl.

We kissed again and my body reacted. I pulled him closer, loving the feel of his hands across my sun-heated skin. Were we really doing this? In a public place?

Oh, just shut up, my body told my mind. Just a few minutes together before the seriousness began wouldn’t hurt.

I heard a sound outside and we both went still.

“Shite, someone’s coming.”

Two seconds later a woman’s voice sounded in the bathroom. Kai pressed his forehead to the tile next to me and squeezed his eyes shut.

“In here, sweetie. Good girl.” Oh, great. A mom was taking her little girl to the potty. I felt like a perv.

When I heard their stall door close, I peeked out and pulled Kaidan, tiptoeing out.

I chanced a backward glance at him. His eyes were heated with intensity.