They’d made love just that morning, and her body threw a little party at the thought of doing it again. She took a long, lustful look at him as he climbed down the ladder. She watched him set down the old sign and stalk toward her like a powerful lion eyeing its lioness. There was no use trying to hide her desire. His all-seeing eyes continued to notice more of her than anyone else ever had.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Weatherby.” He gathered her in his arms, taking her in a long, toe-curling kiss. “Any idea where you want to hang your sign?”
“What sign?” She tugged him into a deliciously slow, scorching-hot kiss.
“Get a room.” Grant’s deep voice cut through their reverie.
Scrappy barked as their lips parted on a laugh, and Cait was shocked to see not only Grant, Jules, Abby, and Aiden climbing out of their vehicles armed with paintbrushes and toolboxes, but also Tank, Gunner, and Gia exiting theirs. “What are you all doing here?” she asked excitedly, and looked at Brant for an answer, but he just blew her a kiss.
“Helping!” Abby exclaimed, looking cute in cutoffs and a tank top. “After all the work you did at the Bistro, did you really think we wouldn’t be here to help?”
Cait hugged her. “Thank you, but—”
“No buts,” Aiden said as he set down a toolbox.
“Family comes first.” Tank pulled Cait into a tight embrace. “Leah, Baz, and Evie wanted to be here, but Rosie wasn’t feeling well, and Baz had an emergency at the vet office.”
“That’s okay. I can’t believe you guys are here! I’m sure you have better ways to spend a day off.”
“What’s better than checking out hot island chicks?” Gunner said.
“Checking out hot island guys,” Gia said, high-fiving Gunner.
Cait filled to the hilt with gratitude. “Seriously, Grant, Jules, I know how busy you are. Thanks for coming out.”
“That’s what friends are for,” Grant said as he began unloading long pieces of wood from the back of his truck.
Jules set down a handful of paintbrushes and said, “Besides, with all the smooching you and Brant are doing, you’d never finish without our help.”
“Hear that, Caity?” Brant pulled her into his arms again. “Sounds like an invitation for us to make out while they do the work.” He dipped Cait over his arm and kissed her breathless.
“I’ve gotta get me an island boy.” Gia sidled up to Grant as he laid a piece of wood on the ground. “Hey there, sugar. I bet you can wield a hammer.”
“Hey!” Jules stomped her petite self over to Gia, her water-fountain ponytail swinging with every angry step. She was several inches shorter than Gia and quite the sight in her oversized sweatshirt and shorts as she got as close to right in Gia’s face as she could and fumed, “That beefcake is my fiancé!”
“Sorry, hon.” Gia held up her hands, looking like a vixen next to adorable Jules with cherry-red lipstick, a skintight low-cut shirt, and curve-hugging jeans. “I saw a hottie, and I acted on it. My bad. Wait a second. Water-fountain hairdo, feisty personality. You must be Jules, which means the hammer wielder is Grant. Shit. I’m really sorry.”
“A little late, don’t you think?” Cait shook her head. “Sorry, Jules.” She introduced the friends who didn’t know each other, filling with disbelief as Deirdra’s car came down the hill. “Brant, how’d you get Dee to come?”
“I didn’t.” He draped his arm around her as Deirdra climbed out of her car. “She told me she had to work.”
Gunner whistled. “Hello, gorgeous.”
“Keep it in your pants, playboy.” Deirdra strutted across the street in an expensive-looking blouse, skinny jeans, and high heels, hair and makeup perfectly done. “Why is everyone staring at me?”
“We just can’t believe you’re here!” Cait hugged her.
Deirdra lifted her brows. “Is it so weird that I came to help my sister?”
“Yes,” Abby and Cait said in unison.
“You sure dressed up for a day of painting and hammering,” Jules said.
“Oh no. Dee, did you finally kill your boss? Are you on the run?” Cait teased. “Because I spent the bail money on my lease. We probably need Tessa to fly you to Mexico or something.”
Everyone laughed.
“Unfortunately, no,” Deirdra said. “But I did take a two-month hiatus from work so I wouldn’t kill him.”
Abby’s and Cait’s jaws dropped.
“You took that much time off work?” Abby touched Deirdra’s forehead, and Deirdra slapped her hand away. “Sorry! I was checking to see if you were sick.”
“Just sick and tired of being told what to do,” Deirdra snapped.
“Damn. I’ve got dibs on this firecracker tonight,” Gunner said with a wink.
Deirdra scoffed. “Dream on, playboy. Do lines like that ever work for you?”
“I don’t usually need lines.” He lifted his arms and flexed, showing off his tatted, muscular physique.
Brant pulled Cait into his arms and whispered, “Remind you of someone?”
She laughed. “He’s cockier than Wells and not nearly as hot as you. I can’t believe you asked everyone to come help.” She should be used to his surprises by now, considering that right after she’d signed the lease, he’d surprised her by having the plumber put in the sink. But she had a feeling that with Brant, she was in for a lifetime of surprises.
“I wish I could take credit, but I just mentioned we were doing it, and they offered. Jules coordinated times with a group text. My sisters and Ford wanted to come, but the team is diving today, and Tessa has flights. Face it, babe. You are loved by many.” He kissed her and whispered, “But I love you the most.”
“I love you, too. In fact, I love you more.”
“Okay, lovebirds. Can we get started fixing this place up?” Deirdra said. “I’ve got to get off this island and back to civilization.”
“You’re not staying?” Abby asked.
Deirdra gave her a get real look.
“But she’s here now,” Cait said excitedly. “Before we get to work, I just want to say that I love you guys—all of you—and it means the world to me that you came out to help us fix this place up.” In addition to newfound freedom, she’d taken hold of her emotions with both hands and run with them, and it felt fantastic to let her friends know exactly how she felt. She took Brant’s hand and said, “Let’s do this!”
They came up with a plan, then got to work. The sounds of power tools and laughter filled the air as they painted, built shelves, and installed countertops. Cait loved working alongside everyone from both of her worlds that she’d once thought should be kept separate and now blended together seamlessly. Brant stole kisses every chance he got and even snuck her into the powder room for a quick make-out session. But his parents stopped by with lunch, and Gail caught them when she had to use the bathroom. Cait had a feeling that wouldn’t be the last time Gail caught them making out.
Hours later, Cait stood back and took it all in, still amazed that she was really opening her own shop. Several of the Bra Brigaders and some of her old clients had already scheduled appointments for tattoos, and she and Abby and the girls had brainstormed marketing ideas. They had flyers and ads ready to help spread the word once she opened the shop to customers. She was so excited, she couldn’t stop smiling. And now the shop looked brand-new, with a fresh coat of paint and a stunning interior ready for the furniture she’d ordered. She listened to her friends and family laughing and giving one another a hard time as they put on the finishing touches. Brant was on the ladder again, hanging the new sign, while Aiden directed him to lift one side higher, then the other, and handed him a level. Jules was telling Gia about the holiday flotilla and trying to convince her to come to the island to see it. Tessa had come to help after work, and she was chatting with Deirdra and Abby about Abby’s honeymoon as they cleaned the windows. Tank, Grant, and Gunner were deep in conversation about Grant’s foundation. She’d forgotten that Gunner and Grant were both veterans and was glad they had something in common. She thought about the safe little bubble she’d lived in for too long and was thankful she’d had it when she’d needed it. But this life was so much better and included so many wonderful people, she felt gluttonous.