“Let’s end it on a high note, Sash.” Dropping down beside her, Riley patted Sasha’s shoulder. “Besides, I want to get to shore, check and see if my contact’s come through with what Sawyer’s after.”
When she was sure Sasha was settled, Annika went over, sat beside Sawyer, took his hand. “I understood.”
“Understood what?”
“I understood what you’ve told me, and what I knew in my head, but not my heart. When the bird that wasn’t a bird flew at Sasha, and I destroyed it. I would have done the same had it been a man. I would have done the same.”
When she leaned into him, he put an arm around her, held her as Bran held Sasha as they rode the water back to land.
Once they reached the dock, Riley pulled out her phone. “Give me five,” she said and walked away.
“Sasha should have gelato. A reward,” Annika insisted.
“Gelato’s hard to turn down, but— That was fast,” Sasha said as Riley walked straight back.
“Fast and good. Got your list, Sawyer. I can pick it up in about an hour.”
“I’ve got me a project.”
“An hour. That’s perfect. It’ll give Annika, Riley, and me an hour to shop.”
“Shopping!” Beaming, Annika pressed her palms together.
“Shopping?” On a frown, Riley tipped down her sunglasses, blew at her bangs. “For what?”
“Shopping needs no what.” All light and cheer, Sasha took Riley’s hand, gave a warning squeeze. “The three of us will do some shopping, pick up Sawyer’s parts, and . . . bring home pizza for dinner.”
“You’ve had a long day, and an experience,” Bran began. “And as Nerezza’s made this first move, we should all stay together.”
“She won’t try for me again today, and I think I’ve proved I can handle myself. You’re not going to try to tell us the three of us can’t handle ourselves because we’re women.”
“Don’t go there, dude,” Sawyer warned. “No way to win it. But we can hang while you—”
“Go.” Sasha pointed. “All of you. If I get a reward it’s a little girl-shopping time without men hovering.” To seal it, Sasha rose to her toes, kissed Bran lightly. “We’ll be home in two hours.”
“If you’re not—”
“We will be.”
“Stay together.”
“Of course.” Sasha waved them off, waited until they were out of sight. “All right.”
“I could shop for new earrings!”
“We’re not going shopping.”
Annika’s jaw dropped. “But, you said—”
“Do you want to talk about sex?”
“Yes!” Annika grabbed Sasha’s hand. “It was a ploy!”
“That’s right.”
“If we’re going to talk about sex when I’m not having any, I want alcohol.” Riley scanned the marina. “Let’s find a place with a view and Bellinis.”
Within ten minutes—Riley moved fast—they sat on a shady terrace looking out at water and boats. Riley ordered in Italian, flirting with the waiter, who flirted right back.