16.5

I clear the leaves from the pool before starting to prepare the grill and text Kyle to bring more charcoal since we won't have enough.

I head to the kitchen to get the knives and plates, and as I’m approaching, I see Brooke in a pajama set. The shorts end just below the curve of her round butt, and my hand itches to give it a pat.

She murmurs something to her audience; since she moved in, all the dogs follow her around. I even found Apollo, who’s supposedly my dog, sleeping in her room on Thursday—best friend indeed.

“Good morning,” I say, and she jumps, turning with her hand on her heart.

“Rafael, Jesus Christ, you scared me!” She’s really startled if she’s using my full name. Brooke tries to hide the pack of cookies behind her back and looks down at the floor.

“Sorry, babygirl. I didn’t mean to make you jump.” Toothless nudges her thigh with his nose, and she bends down.

“Hi, big guy, I didn’t mean to leave you out.” She hands him a cookie and pets his square head. Her gaze meets mine as she stands up; she twists the packaging in her hands and sighs, looking away again.

“What’s up?” I ask, stepping closer and taking the package out of her reach, which makes her twist her fingers. Her nervous tick. “Brooke?”

“I need to apologize,” she murmurs, looking up with her green eyes.

“For what?”

“For yesterday, when I asked you to kiss me, I was arguing with Kyle and ended up dragging you into it to prove my point in the argument. I’m sorry, you didn’t deserve that.”

“Is this because of what happened between you two afterward?” Her eyes widen in surprise. “He told me this morning—or rather, bragged about it.”

“No, it has nothing to do with him. I was feeling guilty long before,” she says.

“And do you regret it, or are you just feeling bad because you think you used me?” I ask, since there’s a big difference between the two.

“I don’t think I used you; I know I didn’t,” she says with determination, a bit of her fire returning for being questioned.

“Then let’s make something clear,” I declare, taking another step closer, making her back up until her back is against the counter. I place an arm on either side of her and lower my face to be directly above hers. “You can use me whenever you want, babygirl, but if you want, I’ll kiss that wonderful mouth of yours again and we’ll be even.”

My attention falls to her lips as she bites the lower one. She’s not making it easy, and by the smile spreading across her face, she knows exactly that.

Brooke presses her lips to mine in a quick kiss, but before I can deepen it, she takes advantage of my distraction, pulls away, pushes my arm, and leaves the spot where I had her.

“All set! We’re even,” she laughs, and I shake my head.

“Hardly, but I’ll accept it for now.” I wink in her direction, deciding to change the subject. “I don’t know if you have plans for today, but we’re having a barbecue and enjoying the pool.”

“I need to grade some kids' assignments, but an afternoon by the pool sounds great.”

“Go ahead, and when you’re done, the food will be ready and you can enjoy yourself without any worries. Is there anything specific you need from the market? Take advantage of Kyle and Seth being there.”

“Not that I can remember.” She turns to leave but stops two steps later. “Ask them to bring that strawberry and lemon cider?”

“Got it,” I say, already pulling out my phone and sending the message.

***

An hour later, the meat is already on the grill, and the three of us are playing cards while drinking beer. Another habit we brought from our time in the Marines, as there isn’t much to do in the desert.

The dogs running around the backyard head straight for the door leading into the house, and we all know Brooke is about to join us. “She has us all wrapped around her finger,” I think, realizing I’ve included us along with the dogs.

She has her blonde hair up in a high bun, but what catches my attention is the expanse of golden skin exposed. She’s wearing a navy blue bikini, and all I can remember is the feeling of her body against mine.

“It’s hard, babygirl. Yesterday you kissed me. Today you apologized, and now you’re tempting me with that bikini,” I tease as she joins us, sitting in the vacant chair.

“I’m not doing anything, stop acting like it’s the first time you’ve seen me in a bikini, Rafael,” she replies, dismissing my comment with a wave of her hand. “What are you guys playing?”

“Truco,” Seth answers.

“What?”

“It’s a Spanish game, Brooke,” Kyle informs her and proceeds to explain the rules. Now that she’s here, we can play in pairs, but since she sat opposite the youngest, she’ll be playing with him. Too bad.

“Too bad you won’t be playing with the best,” I say.

“And that would be you?” Kyle mocks. “Go check the meat, Martinez.”

“I won the last three games,” I reply and stand up.

“Of ten!” Seth laughs.

“Details, Seth, details. We’ve talked about this.”

“Raffi, bring me a drink, please?” Brooke asks with a smile.

“Sure, let me just check the meat and I’ll bring it.” I turn the steaks and grab one of the cider bottles. As I’m heading back, I get a brilliant idea, pretending to hit my foot on the stone counter. “Ouch!” I complain, bending down.

“Raffi!” Brooke approaches worried, Ky and Seth follow her.

“Are you okay, man?” the blond asks.

“No, I think I broke my foot on this thing.” I point at the counter.

“Let’s go to the hospital,” Brooke says, crouching in front of me, forcing my eyes to stay on her face and not on the blue-covered breasts.

“No need, just give me a kiss and it’ll be fine,” I smile, and she slaps me when she realizes my trick.

“You idiot, I was really worried.”

“It was worth a try,” I admit, standing up.

“This is what happens when you indulge him, Sunshine.”

We return to the table and the conversation flows easily. The food is ready, and we continue playing while eating. Once again, since Brooke moved in, I see how well she fits into our group. I always thought we were a perfect trio and that nothing was missing, but I guess I was wrong.