Free Declaration by Rachael Wade Page B

pick up, and on top of that, I had three of my biggest money-making rooms this week stiff me on tips.”
    “Ouch.”
    “My thought, exactly.”
    I reached over the kitchen counter to help her collect all of the empty chocolate ice cream containers. “Emma’s still drowning in ice cream, I see.”
    “Yup. And once again, I can’t get her out of her room. I’m starting to think she’s locked up in there in some sort of ice-cream-induced coma.”
    I laughed, although it wasn’t really funny. Poor girl would be puking her guts up soon if she kept up with that diet. “So what are your plans for luring her out of her cave this evening?”
    “I’m not sure yet,” she said thoughtfully, tossing the last ice cream box in the trash bag. I hadn’t bothered asking why Whitney asked me to come back over tonight. Once again, it didn’t seem like Emma needed double babysitting duty. But one look at Whitney’s stressed demeanor, and I knew the “why” didn’t really matter. She still needed the help. Even if I was only there to give her a little support while she helped her friend, then I was happy to be there.
    “You’re exhausted. How about you go take a bath and kick your feet up, and I’ll finish cleaning up here.”
    “You’d do that?”
    “Of course I would. That’s why I’m here, isn’t it?”
    “I didn’t ask you here tonight to play housekeeper, Montgomery.”
    “I know you didn’t. I’m going to clean up anyway. I won’t take no for an answer.”
    Her stubborn look softened and the tips of her cheekbones revealed a reddish tint. “You know what would really help me?”
    “What’s that?”
    “A night out.”
    “A night out?”
    “Yeah, like, a night out of this apartment. I need a drink and some fresh air. I want to hang out, just me and you, minus all the Emma drama. You wanna take a stroll on the beach with me?”
    For some reason, her words made my heart leap with excitement. Damn, I could use that, too. “Sure, but what about Emma?”
    Whitney’s shoulders rolled in complete resolution. “She’s in there, passed out. I’m not sure what else I can do for her today. I’ve cleaned up, held her, loaded her Kindle with a ton of new releases she’s been waiting for, and made her soup.” Setting the trash bag at her feet, she exhaled and chucked the wet rag in her hands on the counter, eyeing the sparkly granite in tired satisfaction. “My work here is done. I’d rather go out than sit here for the rest of the night.”
    “Well, if you’re sure…”
    “I’m positive.” She clapped her hands and gave a little hop—a very girly hop that sent her breasts bouncing against her frilly t-shirt. Fuck, she was sexy. I stepped behind the counter and discreetly adjusted my groin, hoping this hard-on business wouldn’t be a problem for the rest of the evening. One glance at the curve of her neck and that wild mass of black, silky hair on her head, though, and there was a twitch in my pants, assuring me the problem was here to stay.
    After a quick shower, Whitney joined me outside while I finished a smoke and then we walked down to the beach, removing our shoes to let our toes hit the sand. The black sky was littered with bright, vibrant stars and the shore was filled with all kinds of seafood aromas and boisterous swells of festive music. Hotel bar after hotel bar illuminated sections of the shoreline, just enough to give us some light as we walked the beach. We didn’t make it very far before Whitney was pulling me over to one of the hotel’s patio Tiki bars. Stringed lights hung above us and margarita menus lined the bar counter, while the warm Gulf breeze brushed my skin. The sound of gentle, lapping waves instantly relaxed me, and I gratefully accepted the beer Whitney had ordered for me.
    “You’ll have to visit the Keys now that you live here,” she said, leading me back out onto the beach, margarita in hand. She took a big sip, moaning in appreciation. “That’s what I like