But I can’t do that unless I’m willing to gamble our lifelong friendship that I’m the right man for her.
The prospect is terrifying.
Could I make love to this woman every night? Could I wake up with her every morning? And be happy?
I need to think.
Carefully, I extricate myself from Echo and roll out of bed, reaching into my suitcase and grabbing the first pair of shorts I find. Then I swipe my phone off the nightstand and tiptoe to the balcony.
I’ve got to get my head on straight.
When I glance at the device, a text Jayci sent in the middle of the night pops up.
I wish you could come over NOW! My aching pussy is sloppy wet. I need you to tongue it until I scream. Then I want to suck the skin off your cock and swallow your hot load before we fuck ourselves raw. Don’t you wish you could come over, too? LOL!
I darken the device.
Jayci sexts me like that for booty calls all the time. Normally, I jump, showing up with a smile, a bottle, and condoms. This morning, I don’t reply.
I have no interest in her. I’m afraid to admit what that means.
Leaning on the railing, I take in the cool Hawaiian breeze and let out a rough breath. As the sun rises, the gray of the early morning sky gives way to a pale blue with pink clouds. Palms sway. Surf rolls. The resort is quiet and serene.
Why is everything in my head so fucking loud?
I scroll through my phone, ignoring Jayci’s message, and dial the only person who can help me.
She answers quickly. “Hayes?”
“Hey, Gramma. How you doing?”
“Fine.” But her voice says she’s not.
I’m worried. “Liar. You sound sad.”
“Rose’s funeral is tomorrow.” She sighs. “She never married, you know. And she regretted it.”
I didn’t know. I assumed that, like Liddy, she was a widow. “Does she have any other family coming to the service?”
“Probably not. Her sisters have both passed away. She wasn’t close to her nieces and nephews. She was a hard woman to get to know. Always busy with work. She thought there would be time later, kind of like someone else I know.”
She means me, and won’t she be shocked when I tell her why I’m calling?
“What time is her service? Do you need a car?”
“You don’t have to call me a service. I know how to Uber, young man.”
I grin. One thing about my grandmother, she’s feisty and spry. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m glad you called. It’s nice to hear a friendly voice. It’s horrible and heartbreaking not to hear Rose’s anymore.”
The catch in her words tug at me. Liddy must be lonely, and I feel guilty for being too busy in the last year to see her. I need to rectify that.
“I’m sorry, Gramma.”
“Thank you, but I’m just feeling sorry for myself today. It’s useless, and I need to stop. How’s your week in Hawaii with Echo?”
“Funny you should ask…” I blow out a breath and prepare to admit out loud the truth that sucker-punched me last night. “You were right. There are more to my feelings for Echo than I thought.”
Her cackling laugh is a mixture of joy and vindication. “It’s about time. She loves you, too, by the way.”
Does she? When she gave herself over to me last night, I would have sworn she felt more than sexual curiosity. But in the harsh morning light, I realize that my feelings, while real, aren’t actual reality. This may be just a fling to her. I may be just a friend willing to do away with her pesky V-card. And at the end of this week, she might be ready for new sexual adventures—with the man she’ll eventually fall for—and tuck me back into the friend zone.
“I don’t know.”
Liddy scoffs. “I do because I know women. She’s been waiting for you to pull your head out of your ass and realize you’re perfect for each other.”
Has she? “I’m terrified.”
“That she’ll turn you down? Don’t be silly.”
That’s crossed my mind, but it’s not my biggest worry. “No. If she does, I’ll apologize for misreading the situation and do my best to repair the damage between us.”
Then what? Try to go back to being the best friend a girl could need? Fuck, that sounds like torture…but it’s better than doing without Echo altogether.
If I somehow manage, it won’t be simple. I’m no expert at love. Hell, I just realized I might be in it. But I’m already sure there’s more to falling out of it than merely wishing I could.
Then again, what if Echo really does have feelings for me, too? She gave up the notion of Xavian taking her virginity the minute I volunteered. She’s always been the perfect friend, but this week she’s somehow morphed into my fantasy. How? And why, if she’s not trying to please me?