“What’s the matter with you?” Grace said and pressed her lipstogether. “You don’t seem interested in my trip at all.”
Dex sat up and moved closer to the laptop. “What? Of course I am.I was just gauging the timing between pictures.” In all honesty, it was hardenough to see Grace’s spectacular honeymoon and all their happiness the firsttime, and she just couldn’t take watching the love in them again.
“Are you sure that’s all?” She pulled her eyebrows together. “Ihope you’re not mad about me leaving without saying good-bye. I tried to findyou.”
Dex shook her head as she saved the slideshow and shut down thelaptop. Dex had made sure that didn’t happen, and it was probably good thatGrace hadn’t found her, or she might have spilled her guts in front of Brent.It probably wouldn’t have made the slightest bit of difference to Grace, butDex would’ve regretted it for life.
“Did something happen while I was gone?”
“No. Everything’s fine.” But everything wasn’t. She and Gracewould never be fine again. Their relationship had changed significantly. Dexfelt like an outsider now.
“Okay, then.” Grace reached for her hand. “Come on. I’ll show yousome of the other things I bought.” She led Dex into her bedroom.
Dex stopped and scanned the room. It looked like an F3 tornado hadcome into the room, swept everything up into the air, and let it crash to thefloor again. Clothes and bags were strewn everywhere.
Grace seemed to notice her surprise. “Sorry. I haven’t had achance to do anything since we got back.” She picked up a few stray pieces ofclothing and tossed them into a pile on the floor next to the bed before sheopened her unpacked suitcase perched on the upholstered bench at the bottom ofthe bed. She took out several bikini bathing suits, held them in her hand, andclosed her eyes.
“The beach was covered in golden sand, and the water was such aclear blue, the ocean floor was visible as far as I could see.” Her eyes sprangopen. “I could see my feet the whole time I was in the water, and thesnorkeling was perfection. One day we were surrounded by little yellow-finnedfish. I have no idea what they were, but it was surreal, Dex.” She smiled asthough she were reliving every moment. “And the sunbathing was wonderful. Wehad our own umbrella and lounge chairs every day. I thought of you a lot. Twowomen were under the umbrella next to us the whole time we were there. They’djust gotten married too.”
She was quiet for a moment, and Dex wondered what exactly she’dthought about her while she watched the women. She took in a breath. “We swamin the ocean at sunset every night and then had drinks on the beach. We evenmade love on the beach.” She tossed the bathing suit into the pile. “But that’stotally overrated.” She lowered her voice and raised an eyebrow as though shewas telling her the secret location of a sunken treasure ship. “Sand gets justabout everywhere.”
An image of Grace and Brent on the beach together flashed throughDex’s head, and she shook it from her thoughts.
“And dinner was absolutely fabulous every night.” The pile ofclothes on the floor was growing as Grace tossed more onto it. Thong underwear,sexy lingerie, short shorts, tight tops, and bikini bathing suits with minimalcover-ups. Clearly Grace had hoped for a very intimate honeymoon.
“You did that every day?” Dex knew it was an unrealistic dream,but she’d love to find a woman she could share an adventure like that withsomeday. Not Greece. That was totally ruined for her now, but possibly Italy.
Grace slapped the empty Louis Vuitton suitcase closed and rolledher eyes. “Not really. Brent drank a little too much once or twice and had apretty good hangover the next day.” She dug through one of the beach bags thatsat on the chair in the corner of the room. “But it was good most of the time.”She scrunched up her face. “They have some crazy customs. You wouldn’t believewhat they did for us this one night. They brought grapes and flaming cheesebefore dinner. Then they danced around the table and gave me this beautifulnecklace.” She pulled it out of the bag and tossed it to Dex.
She caught it with one hand and let it swing from her fingersbefore she examined it. It was a pendant of Rhea, the goddess of fertility andmotherhood. Dex had always been fascinated with mythology. She was sure Gracehad no idea what the necklace represented.
“With roast lamb, baked pasta, champagne, and candlelight, it wasthe perfect dinner. I must have gained at least ten pounds on the trip.” Sheglanced at her ass, at Dex, and then her ass again.
“Nah. You look great.” Dex gave her the expected response. Shemight have gained a pound or two, but whether she had or not, the vacationwould justify Grace’s next few weeks of crazy workout sessions. The weightwould be gone in a week. Grace had a great job at the gym and got hermembership for free. She’d gotten Dex in free on her friends-and-familydiscount as well, but she didn’t have time to go. Besides, she already didenough heavy lifting on the job.
Grace was fortunate, like Dex, in that way. They could pretty mucheat whatever they wanted and still stay slim. She glanced at the medallionagain and wondered if that would still be the same once she and Brent startedhaving children.
“Are you and Brent going to have kids right away?” Oh, shit. Did I really askthat?
Grace snapped her gaze back to Dex and blinked rapidly. Thequestion must have surprised her
