Page 120 of What Remains
I have no clue what to say. I don’t want to tell them about what Dad and I discussed, even though I know they’ll eventually find out. But I could use a break and a little girl time with one of my besties.
“Can we talk?” I ask her, and her brows stitch with worry.
“Of course.” She sets aside her iPad and gestures to her bedroom. Once we’re both inside, she closes the door behind us. “Are we talking about the case, the island, or—”
“Easton,” I blurt out, going with the first thought that comes to mind, because I’d much rather talk about him than the disaster we’re in. “We kissed,” I whisper.
“About time.” I look over to find her bright-eyed and smiling.
It feels good to say it out loud. After everything that’s happened between four in the morning and now, I was starting to wonder if I dreamed up the kiss.
“Soooo.” She sits on the bed and pats the spot next to her. “How was it?”
I have a seat and sigh. “Amazing.” Time to temporarily shelve the conversation with Dad, along with the case, and just be a girl without the weight of the world on her shoulders. Even if it’s just for five minutes.
“With your chemistry, I figured it’d be explosive.” She adds with a chuckle, “Glad you’ve both pulled your heads from your asses.”
I mean, she’s probably not wrong about that. “He’s being such a gentleman when he doesn’t need to be.” I smirk. “I get we’re on a case that has me at the center, but still, I want him to”—I curl my fingers into my palms and bring my fists to my chest—“have his way with me, you know? Throw caution to the wind.” I let go of an exasperated breath. “Why does he have to be so respectful?” I lift my open hand in a placating gesture before she can give me a few reasons. “Kidding, I know that’s a green flag.”
She nudges me with her shoulder. “And you’re used to chasing red ones, missy.”
“I would love to blame Mum and Arthur for those issues, but at the end of the day, I make my own choices, so . . .”
“You’re wise well beyond your years.” She reaches for my hand and lowers it between us, resting her palm on top of my forearm. “You’ll figure everything out.” She bumps her shoulder into mine again. “And as for Easton, well, he’s got your feelings and your father’s to consider. His, too, of course.” She side-eyes me. “But give him time. I bet that man will ravish you when the time is right.”
“Oh to be ravished by that man.” Chills slide up my spine at the thought. “I can only imagine.”
“Like you haven’t already?” she snorts.
“Just a few hundred times.” I bite the inside of my cheek as I remember our kiss. “Dad and Carter could’ve easily caught us making out earlier. Malachi saved us from that.”
“This story is really writing itself, huh?” she says softly. “Pilot falls for the off-limits genius daughter of his friend. The girl he’s assigned to protect.”
“Isn’t Savanna the romance author?” I joke.
“Yeahhh, I should probably leave the plotting to her. But the journalist in me sees a happily-ever-after in your real future, not just in the fictitious one I dreamed up.”
She brings both hands to her stomach. I bet her little bundle of joy is needling her in the ribs again. And why am I now wondering what it’d be like to be pregnant with Easton’s baby?
That’s fast. But wait, we’ve been friends for years. Like he said to me, we built a strong foundation. This isn’t insta-anything. More like a slow burn.
“Maybe I—” I abandon my words when someone knocks twice.
“Come in,” Mya calls out.
The door swings open, and Easton fills the frame, his dark gaze locked on me. His chest heaves with a deep breath, and . . . oh, shit.
I pop up to my feet. “Dad told you, didn’t he?”
CHAPTER 41
Easton
TEN MINUTES BEFORE
“Hold that thought.” Griffin exits the conversation we’re in the middle of with Carter to answer the door.
He lets Wyatt in, and based on the haunted look in his eyes, I’m guessing he’s here to deliver more bad news. “What’s wrong?” I cut to it.
