That one-sided smile of his I love appears. “Yeah. I guess it is different.” He’s quiet for a second before he adds, “Maybe a lot of things will be different now.”
It’s as if he’s speaking more to himself than me, so I don’t respond.
A moment later, he stops walking and faces me. He frowns at my swimsuit, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Is there a problem?”
“Yeah.” He nods, his eyes lifting to mine. His frown doubles, but not even a second later, a grin pulls at his lips, one I recognize.
“Chase,” I warn, but before I can make a break for it, he’s already tossed me over his shoulder, and is running for the ocean.
The others laugh as I’m tossed on my ass, and swim over to join us.
I wish I could freeze this moment, our entire crew enjoying the last bit of the summer sun because who knows what the summer’s moon will bring.
I look to Chase, who smirks at me from across the water.
I, for one, can’t wait to find out.
Chapter 3
Arianna
* * *
“Hurry up, brats! The cab should be here any minute!” Mason yells from the bottom of the stairs.
“Ugh, that man, I swear, he’s wound so tight.” Cam smirks into the mirror. “Think he’ll let me help him out with that?”
“Cameron.” I laugh. “Ew!”
“Oh, chill Virgin Mary.” She hip checks me and leans across the sink to finish her mascara. “And what do you think you’re doing?” She glances at my dress. “Take that horrid thing off, you look like you’re about to hunt Easter eggs, not have a wicked time on the dance floor.”
“It’s not that bad and I can’t wear that piece of scrap you call a dress.”
“Yes, you can.”
“Do you want to have fun? I have to pick and choose my sexy and night one is not the night.”
She pushes her pointed finger in the air, raising one perfectly shaped blonde brow. “Au contraire my flowery friend…” She spins. “Tonight is the perfect night for sexy. It’s time to get tipsy and if that means Mason is forced to face the fact that you do, indeed, have a vagina, then so be it.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, not going anywhere near that comment.
“Come on!” Cameron laughs. “We agreed to have fun!”
“We will, but I can’t go balls to the wall the first day.”
“Honey, I speak for your cha-cha when I say that dress has got to go. As in, into the trash.”
I try and keep from laughing, but it’s no use.
Cam and I are still cracking up when Brady begins pounding on my door.
“Yo! You guys sound like you’re having way too much fun. If there’re pillows and panties involved, I want in!” he shouts.
“Fuck off, Brady!” Mason’s yell follows from… who the hell knows where. He’s never too far away.
Brady’s chuckle reaches us. “For real, though, ‘bout ready? Uber’s pulling up!”
“Shit. Yeah, we’re coming!” Cam yells, turning her evil eye on me.
“Ugh! I hate you,” I grumble, tugging my dress over my head and holding my hand out to her. “Give me the damn thing.”
Triumphant smirk in place, Cameron slaps the slinky black number in my palm.
I slip it on, quickly stepping into the black pumps with a gold heel she sets in front of me next.
“Happy?” I cock my hip.
“Ecstatic.” She smirks. “Now, let’s go before your brother barges in.”
My dress is simple but sexy. It’s a halter top that cuts low in the front, snug and slinky down my waist, and loosens at the hips to allow for flirty dancing. My dark brown hair is pulled back in a tight, high ponytail and the smoky eye is in full effect.
I don’t go ‘full makeup’ on a daily basis, but it’s one of my favorite parts about going out.
Snagging a pair of black stud earrings from my bag, I rush into the hall behind Cam, smirking at the view as I take her in.
She’s wearing a deep purple tube top dress that’s tight from her chest down to her ass. She paired it with nude pumps and left her lids bare of shadow, only going with a thick coat of mascara. Her long blonde hair is left down, with big beachy waves. My bestie’s fine.
“Okay, bitch!” She links her arm through mine as we hit the last step of the stairs. “Show time!”
I clasp my earring and hold my head high.
Brady, as usual, is the first to spot us, and his infamous whistle follows.