“It’s okay.”

“That doesn’t sound like okay.”

I sighed and picked at the frayed edges of a hole in my jeans.

“Spill, love.” Silas hit me with the sternest voice he could muster. It worked like a charm.

“I got a letter.” I turned to frown at Tristan. I really didn’t want to get into this at all. He rubbed my leg. I’d only just gotten it a few days ago, spilled my guts to Drew last night, still hadn’t spoken much to Tristan about it, and yet here I was. I heaved a sigh and lifted off the couch, headed for the kitchen and a bottle of wine.

Tristan followed me in and took the bottle from my hands, mouthing that he’d take care of it. I smiled at him thankfully before I started in on the letter I’d received and how I was feeling. Tristan tried not to hover, although he rubbed my neck every now and again when I was especially tense. That was until the wine seeped through my veins and had tingles lighting up my body.

I relaxed as I finished my story, telling him I needed to go back to DC for the hearing in May, a few months from now. My best friend listened patiently, murmuring and offering comfort when necessary.

“I wish you were here,” I finished dejectedly.

“Me too, love,” Silas answered.

“So enough of this sad stuff. Can we talk about you? How’s Justin?” I took a long draw of my wine.

“Well, we’re moving down there.”

“What?” I squeaked.

“I’m letting the lease go on my place. Moving in with Justin in the spring.”

‘Oh God, Silas! I’m so excited.”

“We can’t be apart, love. Not good for either one of us.” Silas laughed.

“Definitely not. So I guess that means you two are doing well?”

There was a long pause.

Too long.

“Silas?”

“I have something else to tell you.”

“Okay . . .”

“You’re not going to like it.”

“Okay . . .”

“You may want to kick my ass.”

I groaned. “Silas, please just tell me.”

“Justin and I sort of . . . eloped.”

My heartbeat thudded in my ears. I shook my head in confusion, my wine glass suspended halfway to my lips. I couldn’t have heard that right. Silas—my commitment-phobic best friend—married? To someone he’d been dating for just a few months?

“Say something, love.”

“I don’t think I can.”

“Shit, I’m sorry, Georgia. When we were in Mexico for spring break, it just happened. We were having such a great time; it was perfect. The sun was out, the water was warm, the bed was big. He just asked me and I said yes. We did it an hour later on the beach. I don’t think he was expecting to do it. It just happened, Georgia, and I knew you would be pissed that I did it without you, but it felt so right,” he finally finished.

“I . . . I don’t even know what to say.” I was still in shock. My brain wasn’t computing what he was telling me.

“Congratulations, maybe?” Silas asked.

“God, I’m sorry. Congratulations. Of course, congratulations. I’m thrilled for you. I’m sad I wasn’t there, but I’m thrilled. Just shocked.”

“I know. This doesn’t seem like me, but Justin, he’s—”

“He’s perfect,” I finished, a grin pulling at my cheeks. “God, Silas. You’re married.” Tears sprang to my eyes when I thought of my best friend finding someone he loved so completely that he promised to spend his life with him.

“I know.” I could hear him tearing up on the other end. “You’re making me cry, Georgia.”

“I’m crying too.” Emotion shook my body as tears streamed down my face. I wiped them with the back of one hand.

Tristan came up and wrapped both his arms around my body from behind. “Congrats, Silas,” he muttered into the phone before tucking his face into my neck and kissing at the overheated flesh.

“Tell your hunk of a boyfriend thanks,” Silas said.

“Hey, you’re a taken man now.” I laughed.

“Just ’cause I’m off the market doesn’t mean I’m dead.”

“Heard that.” Tristan pulled his sensual lips from my neck and sang into the phone before attacking my lobe with his teeth.

“God, wait, you let me ramble on and on about my bullshit and here you’d gotten married, Silas?” I felt so selfish.

“You needed to get it out. I understand.”

“It’s not anywhere near as important as your news. You should have stopped me.”

“It is important, love. But thanks. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Another happy tear trickled down my cheek. Silas had been through so much over the years, been so ravaged by the pain and judgment put on him by his parents, it was overwhelming that he’d finally loved himself enough to give his heart to another. I wouldn’t have thought it possible a year ago, but now, it did feel right.

“I’m going to let you get back to what you were doing. I can hear him sucking on you.”

I laughed as tears rolled down my cheeks. “See you soon?”

“See you soon, love.”

“Silas?”

“Yeah?”

“Congratulations again.”

“Thanks,” he murmured before hanging up the phone. I set my cell on the counter and spun around on the stool to land in Tristan’s arms.

“I can’t believe he got married.”

“Why?” Tristan whispered as he made his way up the column of my neck, sucking on my flesh as he went. I arched away from him to get his attention.

“Because it’s Silas. He’s such a slut.”

“Was a slut. Find the right person and suddenly it becomes not so hard to change your habits.” He latched onto my neck and ran his hands up my shirt. His words didn’t have time to resonate because he overwhelmed my body with his lips as I locked my arms around his neck and gave into his sensual assault.

17

“This has got to stop, seriously.” Tristan arched one eyebrow at me as I sat curled in his lap on the couch watching The Notebook while a light spring rain pattered against the windows.

“What are you talking about?” I grinned up at him as he stroked his long fingers through my thick hair.

“I’m talking about the sappy shit. It’s got to end. I can’t take it for another minute.” He pushed himself off the couch and snagged the remote on his way.

“Hey! You can’t deprive me of Nick,” I screamed and darted for him as he flicked to an action movie.

“The sappy shit is only for girls who aren't getting any, and you’re getting it, right here.” He poked his thumb at his chest.

I rolled my eyes. “You are so full of yourself.”

“Call it like I see it.” He lifted one shoulder.

“So do I, and I’m callin’ bullshit.” I angled around a corner of the island in my quest to get the remote back.

“Oh, I don’t think so.” He walked backward with the sexiest smirk lighting his face. “I’m quite sure I keep you satisfied in all departments.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

“You are so corny.” I shook my head and lunged for the remote in his hands. He dropped it on the countertop and caught me in his arms, pulling me tight to his body and wrapping one warm palm around my neck. Leaning in, he took my lips in a predatory kiss. I moaned into his mouth and arched my body into him. I was putty in his hands. His lips, his deft fingers, that smile had me melting in a puddle at his feet and he knew it.

“You don’t play fair.” I pulled away from his lips.

“Playing fair is overrated. I know my talents and I use them to my advantage.” He arched my neck to the side and sucked on the flesh. I moaned and savored his lips on my skin. “You’re so beautiful, Georgia. Have I told you that? Because I need to each and every single day. You’re so beautiful and I can’t get enough of you.”

I groaned in response as he pushed me back against the counter. I was pinned between the hard granite and the wall of his chest, and it was heaven. With one hand at the small of my back, he bent me backward and slid his hand up my chest and along my throat, arching my neck to reveal more flesh to him.