Not surprising.
“Have you ever done a photoshoot with him?” Pen was all but eye-fucking Ryder as she took him in.
“That’s actually how we met. After that, Ryder’s career blew up. We try to work with each other as much as possible. It’s a bit of a juggling act with how in demand we both are. If one of us goes out of town, we all go.”
“How old is your daughter?” I asked. Even though I’d been married to a pediatrician, I was a horrible judge of age with children. I either guessed way too low or high.
“She’s almost three. I wish she was here for you to meet her, but she’s with Ryder’s mom for the weekend. She wanted to give us some time to rest. We’re leaving tomorrow to drive up to where she lives in Washington. We’ll be there for a few days.” She let out a sultry laugh. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. You must think I’m crazy.”
“Not at all. I do the same thing sometimes when I meet new people that I—”
“Feel a connection with,” she interrupted.
“Yes.” My eyes widened that she felt the same way, even if I hadn’t opened up to anyone since I met Remy.
“Even though I don’t know you, I like you. I’m happy to have a neighbor that I like. Have you met your other neighbors?” When I shook my head, she continued. “I’m not a fan. They all seem like a bunch of rich snobs who think they’re better than everyone else.”
“Alright, ladies. We’ve got steak or chicken, which would you like?”
“What about hamburgers?” Lexie pouted, looking up at her husband.
“Or hamburgers,” he laughed.
“I can tell just from the way she looks, Stella wants a burger.”
I did want one, but I wasn’t sure how she could tell.
“I’ll have one as well,” Pen piped in.
“Alright, three burgers and one chicken. Do you want cheese?”
“I always want cheese,” I answered. Cheese made everything better.
“Me too,” Pen answered in a strange voice. What the hell was wrong with her?
“And I know you want cheese,” he leaned down and kissed his wife. When he stood up, Lexie swayed a little.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t help but stare at your husband. I don’t mean to be rude. I’m sure you’re used to women not being able to keep their eyes off him.”
Lexie giggled as she eyed her husband. Her lids went half-mast, making me think she was picturing her husband naked or their earlier sex in the pool. “I more than understand. Most of the time, I have the same problem. Wait until you see him with our daughter. Your ovaries will explode.”
“Keep me away from that. I am so not ready for children. Hell, I’m not sure if I ever will be.”
“You better figure it out before your ovaries shrivel up and turn to dust. Are you sure you don’t want any babies with your young buck?”
Pen’s eyes turned to slits. “You hush your mouth.”
“I love you two already,” Lexie clapped. “Where do you live, Pen? I’m guessing not with Stella.”
“No, but I’ll be here as much as possible to enjoy the beach. It was my idea for her to find a house on the beach when she decided to move up this way.”
Lexie’s attention swung back to me. “Oh, where did you move from?”
“Oasis, it’s a desert city.”
Lexie’s face scrunched up. “I feel like I’ve heard of it, but I can’t remember why.”
“We had a serial killer there a couple of years ago.” It was strange how matter-of-factly I said those words now. When it was happening, we were scared to even utter the word in case the next victim was one of us.
“Oh, that’s right. Ryder, do you remember that serial killer from a couple of years ago?” she yelled.
Ryder turned around with a deep v between his brows. “Down in the desert?”
“Yeah, that’s where Stella’s from.” She looked back at me. “No wonder you’re writing about one. Was it scary living there? Is that why you moved?”
“It was scary at the time, but that’s not why I moved. My story is the old husband got his assistant pregnant. Living in a small town, I got tired of being the talk of the town and the looks. The looks killed me the most, especially after the baby was born. Luckily, I’d already found the house next door and was waiting for it to close.” I looked around at the beauty surrounding me and felt everything in me relax. “Living here is so much nicer than the desert.”
“I agree. I couldn’t wait until I could afford a place here. There’s nothing better than falling asleep listening to the waves.”
“Are you sure about that?” Pen asked, tilting her head toward Ryder.
“You’re right. It’s second-best to falling asleep in his arms every night.”
“She says the sweetest things about me.” Ryder looked lovingly over at his wife. “We keep the door open every night so she can hear the waves; that’s how much she likes hearing them.”
“They’re very therapeutic after a stressful day. I hope it’s the same for you as well.”
“I think it is. My life is already less stressful unless you count the editing hell I’m in. Maybe I’ll try sleeping with my door open.”
“That doesn’t sound very safe. What if someone wants to break in? You’re giving them an easy way in.” Pen shook her head at me.
“That’s what alarms are for, and if they really want to break in, they will. Open window or door, or not,” Lexie answered her.
I hadn’t thought about someone breaking in. Maybe I’d sit outside and enjoy listening to the waves crash during the day as much as possible; that way, I’d be safe at night. I didn’t have someone like Ryder to come to my rescue if anything bad happened.
“Alright, ladies,” Ryder’s drawl was deep as he set down a platter with our burgers and a piece of chicken for him, “lunch is ready.”
“Thank you for inviting us. If I knew how to cook, I’d invite you over for dinner, but I’d hate to poison you, so I’ll take you to dinner soon.”
“We’re down for that. Sometimes I feel bad for eating whatever I want while this guy here,” Lexie pointed at Ryder, “is always eating healthy so he can keep his physique. I won’t feel so bad if I have a partner in crime.”
“I really don’t mind. It’s so ingrained in me now that I’m not sure I could eat junk food if I tried.”
Lexie rolled her lips, but it still didn’t hide the grin that was trying to escape. “Do you see the drool at the corner of his mouth as he eyed our burgers? Don’t let him fool you. He wants it, but he sticks to his regimen unless he’s got a chunk of time off.”
“I admire your diet. I like to eat whatever I want whenever I want.” That was always why I had curves, and my stomach was not as flat as I wanted it.
“That’s why we’re going to be the best of friends. Before you leave, make sure I have your phone number. I’ll call you when we get back from Washington.”
“See, you’re already making friends. Now I won’t feel bad when I go out on the road next week.”