Reckless Abandon (November Blue, #2)(53)

I admit, the place looks amazing, a slice of heaven right on the beach. I can think of no two people who deserve this more than

Monica and Josh—they’re the real deal.

“Thanks for your help, Marley,” I smile. “So where are you from?” I step down from the small ladder I’d been using to hang

lights. Her black, bobbed hair nearly matches her eyes; her olive skin would lead me to believe she models full time.

“I’m from Framingham, but my family has a house here in Barnstable. I’m in law school, Columbia. When I graduated from BU, I

immediately went to get my MBA without much thought—I hate it.” She giggles and tucks some hair behind her ear. “I worked in the

corporate world for a couple of years before deciding to go get my law degree. I want to help struggling companies survive attempts

at large takeovers.”

“That’s impressive. Do you mind if I ask why the hell you waste your time here in the summer?” I fold the ladder and tuck it

behind the fence.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. Now that I’m saving for an apartment in the city, I need as much extra cash as I can

get. Have fun tonight, Josh and Monica are lucky to have a friend like you.” Marley walks back inside and easily picks up the

slack at the bar, where I notice Adrian sitting.

I walk in and he turns to me with a smile.

“Hey you,” I lean in and kiss his cheek as I spot Rae, Bo, and Regan out of the corner of my eye. Bo’s back is to me and,

admittedly, I’m thankful. “Where’s Pace?”

“An ex-girlfriend is in town.” Adrian’s mischievous grin is the only answer I need. “Damn, I can’t say this enough, you’re

gorgeous.”

I playfully spin in the spaghetti-strapped, floor-length, flowing dress my mom bought me. Sometimes one must embrace their inner

flower child. “Thank you. Finish your beer, I’m gonna go say “hi” to Rae and make sure Regan’s all set to go tonight for the

song we wrote.” I give his shoulder a gentle squeeze. I hear him mumble, “Columbia, huh?” to Marley as I walk away.

I’m surprised Bo came, honestly. He said he would, but I thought he might bring Ainsley just for “fun.” She doesn’t seem to be

anywhere around, so I smile and slide into the chair next to him.

“Hey guys, I’m glad you made it!”

“I told you I’d come.” Bo doesn’t turn in my direction, but I catch him swallowing hard when I turn in his. Rae and Regan stare

anywhere else but between us.

“Well, I’m glad you did. Josh and Mon will be here soon, we should head out back.” I stand and the rest of them do the same. I

see Bo catch a glimpse of Adrian, in deep conversation with Marley, and he stiffens for a moment before falling in stride behind

me.

I tug on Adrian’s shirt as we walk by him. He shakes Marley’s hand and joins us outside, directly by my side. I swear everyone

can see the lines of fire between Adrian and Bo, but I guess that’s just me—and Rae, who shoots me cautious gazes across the

deck.

Josh and Monica arrive, along with more of our friends, and the party is a hit. Plenty of beer, liquor, and laughter flow through

the crowd. Adrian rarely leaves my side; a point not unnoticed by Bo, who I catch staring at us more than once. I force a tight but

polite smile every time our eyes meet. He doesn’t return them.

After an hour, Regan suggests we move the party inside, so we can play our surprise for Josh and Monica. We’ve spent as much time

as we can composing a song for fiddle and guitar that expresses their love for each other, and the love that others see when they’

re in a room with them. After each practice and performance, Regan and I would sneak to my place or his and work in it.

Everyone settles into their seats in front of the stage. Adrian always leans against the back wall when he watches me play, and I

don’t know why. Either way, he’s standing back there, observing me and the crowd in one glance.

Regan seductively pulls his bow across the strings, and we begin the love song we’ve worked so hard on. My fingers are raw from

playing all last night, but watching the looks of gratitude on my friends’ faces, it doesn’t matter. As hard as I try, I can’t

stop blinking quick looks over to Bo, whose eyes never leave my hands. The drink in his hand shifts from beer to liquor, and a dark

look shades his face. We finish amidst a hearty applause. Rae hops up on stage and hugs Regan, and I notice a small smile pull on

Bo’s lips. Those two are really cute together.

“Great job,” Regan whispers to me when he kisses my cheek.

“Thank you. Thanks for the extra lessons, too.” I put my guitar in its case and lean it against the back wall.

“No problem. Take a break for a few days and let those babies heal, would ya?” He playfully grabs my fingers, making me wince.

“Rae and I are gonna get going, I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Have fun, guys. Thank you for coming.” I pull Rae into a hug. “Do you have to go, too?” I ask Bo as he approaches us. I fidget

with the fabric of my dress.