After Hours

Chapter 30

We get back to the hotel in time for dinner but our plans are interrupted when an unexpected guest saunters out of the elevator and into the lobby. I freeze, causing Sam and Jasmine to run into me. "Hey, what's wrong?" Sam asks, coming into my view.

I continue to stare forward, having everyone's full attention. "Well, fuck," Jasmine breathes.

"What?" Jackson asks, sounding both confused and frustrated.

"Your girlfriend's here," Zach announces, surprised.

Sam smacks his chest for being insensitive to the situation but I hear Jackson's breathing change. Dominic takes a deep breath. "I smell drama," he says softly. "I think we should steer clear of her. Maybe it's just a coincidence."

"I doubt it," I mumble.

"We can just order room service then meet up tonight for the movie screening on the beach," Jackson says. "Bring blankets to sit on."

I glance up at him but he stares back impassively, giving nothing away. I feel so conflicted - stuck between being upset and angry although I have no one to be angry at except for Sophie. There's no way this is a coincidence but I want to know how she found out about us being here. Jackson laces his fingers with mine and pulls me onto the elevator. Silence fills the small space until the ping announces our arrival at our friends floor. When the doors close, we go up another floor where the doors open once again.

Giving my hand a reassuring squeeze, Jackson leads me off the elevator and towards our door. He releases my hand to open the door and I saunter in, heading for the bathroom. As I begin pulling off my clothing, Jackson enters the room, leaning against the sink with his fingers curling around the edge of the countertop. "Don't let her ruin our trip," he says. "She means nothing and you mean everything."

Down to just my bikini now, I take a few steps towards him, closing the space between us. "I refuse to let her ruin our trip," I say softly. "But I don't want to think about her right now so you're going to have to take my mind off of her."

He raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching slightly. "What would you like me to do?" he asks.

Placing my hands on his hips, I press my body firmly against his. He groans softly and I can feel all of him. "I didn't get enough of you earlier."

Reaching around me, he unties my bikini, letting it fall to the floor.

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Wearing a pair of too-short shorts and cute tank top, I walk to the tiki bar with Sam and Jasmine who are both wearing something similar. The feeling of the sand beneath my toes calms me in a way nothing else can. The beach is such a relaxing place. I'd love to make a habit out of vacationing here. "I'm going to use the restroom. Any of you want to join?" Jasmine asks, interrupting my thoughts.

"I'll go," Sam speaks.

"I'll get our drinks," I say.

Agreeing, they walk away and I wait in the short line. When it's my turn, I get beer for the boys and order margaritas for the girls. "Look who it is," a woman says. "Emery Smith."

Glancing up at the woman, my stomach churns. "Soon it'll be Emery Lancaster."

She chuckles. "I know, he told me."

He told her? When? As far as I knew, he hasn't spoken to her since she gave birth. "How's your child?" I ask sourly.

She narrows her eyes for a split second before returning to her sweet facade. "He's doing great. Jackson absolutely adores him. He makes sure he has the best of everything."

My heart drops slightly but I continue to stare at her impassively. I'm sure she's only doing this because we're getting married soon. "Look, you need to get over him already because this shit is getting old. He doesn't want you. If he did, you'd be the one wearing this ring but you're not."

She flips her hair over her shoulder before looking at her nails. "I don't need to wear a ring to have him. We hook up every once in a while. It's just not as frequent since he's seeing you."

Placing my hands on my hips, I sigh in annoyance. "Fine then. Name one time you've been with him since we got back together."

"Coachella," she states immediately. "I had my own private tent and he joined me for a night. Only it was cut short because his little whore was flirting with his brother."

Grinding my teeth, I turn and give the bartender money for the drinks just as Sam and Jasmine return. "Are you okay?" Sam asks worriedly.

"I'm fine. Tell Jackson I went for a walk."

Turning, I begin walking away only to be followed by Jasmine. "All she does is like. Don't believe anything she says."

"I trust Jackson," I mumble. "I just don't want to take my anger out on him."

"Fair enough," she sighs, allowing me to wander off on my own.

The cool breeze helps me calm down almost immediately. That woman is so agitating. She knows all the right buttons to press. I trust Jackson but would it be so wrong to ask him about her? I should be sure about everything before the wedding and I just need reassurance about Sophie being in his past. Deciding Jackson is probably worried, I wander back to the beach where the movie is still playing. His legs are stretched out in front of him, his knees bent. When he notices me, he stares up at me surprised. "You're back. Are you okay?"

Nodding, I sit down on the blanket between his legs and lean back against his chest. "I'm fine. We'll talk later," I say, staring forward at the screen.

Wrapping his arms around me, he presses a soft kiss to my neck. Turning my head, I press my lips to his, still distracted by Sophie's words. He pulls away and hands me my drink before starting up at the screen.

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