Free Starless Nights (Hale Brothers Series Book 2) by Kathryn Andrews Page A

them too. Did they remind her of me? Did she ever think about me?
    I pay for the food and we head to the cheese tent.
    “She said that you met Charlie. What did you think?”
    “What’s there to think? He seems nice enough. How long has she known him?”
    "They met at a party right after we moved here."
    My stomach drops. I was right, they aren't new friends. They've known each other for a while.
    “Oh,” is all I can think to say.
    “Speaking of meeting someone, there's someone I want you to meet.” She bats her eyelashes at me and grins.
    “Please tell me you're kidding, right?”
    “Nope. I'll set it up soon.”
    “I really don't want to meet anyone, I just want to get settled and play tennis.” I’m irritated, not so much at her, just at the idea of some chick being shoved down my throat. I’ve never had a problem meeting girls, so why she feels the need for this bothers me.
    “I thought you were settled, that's why you moved here and didn't tell anyone.” She mirrors the irritation in my voice with hers.
    I look down at her and see that she is still upset I didn’t call her or Drew when we got in.
    “Why me?”
    “Because, she just moved here and doesn’t have a lot of friends.”
    “Then introduce her to Leila, she can be her friend.”
    “Alright Beau, never mind.” Her irritation has turned to disappointment.
    I hate the thought of disappointing her. She never asks anything of me and for whatever reason this must be important to her, so whatever . . .
    “Fine, just tell me when and where.”
    Her face lights up and this makes me smile. I would do anything for her and she knows it.
    “Yay! Thank you. Let’s go pick out some cheese and tonight, I will make you your own pizza. You won’t even have to share it!”
    “Geez, thanks. Nice to know that you were going to punish me if I said no.”
    “When it comes to you and pizza, I know how to play dirty.”
    “I’ll remember that.”
    “You better.”
     

     
     
    “ALI! OH MY gosh girl, I am so excited to be here. This house is gorgeous!” I say as I walk through the front door and hug her.
    “I know right? Drew found it for us and it’s perfect. Just wait until you see the back deck. I’ve been spending most of my time out there. I’m so glad you are here.” She is beaming at me.
    “I wouldn’t have missed this for anything. Gee let’s see . . . it’s your birthday and it’s a weekend at the beach. Eeeek!”
    Ali laughs as we walk through the house.
    The home has an open floor plan and is decorated beautifully in light yellow, gray, and navy blue.
    Walking out onto the back deck, I see what she means, and this is where I am going to be spending the weekend as well. The view is spectacular and it’s decorated just as lovely as inside.
    Turning to take in the full view, the air rushes out of my lungs, because on the last lounge chair is Beau. His eyes lock with mine and my stomach falls. I knew that he would be here this weekend but seeing him again in person makes my chest and stomach ache. He’s so handsome. Neither one of us says anything.
    “Do you see what I mean? Isn’t this the most relaxing space ever?” Ali says, interrupting the unspoken moment between the two of us.
    Breaking eye contact, I turn my attention back to Ali. “Who owns this place?”
    “The boyfriend of the girl we rent the apartment from in the city.”
    “Wow. I can’t even imagine what he does for a living.”
    “I know, right? Where’s Charlie? I thought he was coming.”
    “He was but his parents called last minute and asked that he come home for a visit, so he did. He would have loved this.” I look around at the décor again and laugh to myself. I’ll have to take pictures and text them to him. He’s going to be so envious.
    As much as I don’t want to, I can’t help it, and I look back over to Beau. He’s watching the two of us and his eyebrows are furrowed. He looks angry although I can’t imagine why.
    Ali pulls on my arm,