“I know,” she muttered. “But…everything just got so screwed up. Just as I’d been about to pack and leave for my parents’ house, I got Alexander’s text and knew I’d have to wait until this morning to leave. So, I had text my parents to tell them that I wouldn’t be arriving until today, but then my mom had texted back that it was okay because they were stuck at the airport in Rome anyways.” Kincaid started getting fidgety, so I started rubbing her shins. “When I turned my phone back on after last night’s meeting, I’d had a text from them, telling me that they were stuck in Rome, and they weren’t sure for how long.”
My hand tightening on her leg. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me that? I would have spent the night with you last night, or I would have taken you to my place.”
Kincaid looked so vulnerable, and it always hit me hard when she did. The girl was the strongest, toughest, most ruthless person I knew. Seeing her soften was an incredible thing to witness. “I thought I could handle it on my own, Sax,” she admitted. “I thought…I wanted to see if I could do it.”
“Ah, babe,” I sighed. “I get that. I do. Still, what the fuck good am I as a best friend if I let you handle shit alone?”
“You’re the best thing in my life, Saxton,” she replied. “Don’t ever doubt that.”
“Babe-”
She jumped up off the couch. “I need to wash this off. One sec.”
I waited patiently while she scrubbed that crap off her face, and when she walked back into the living room, I said the first thing that popped into my head. “You look the fucking same, Kincaid.” I shook my head. “All those products are a scam.”
Kincaid grinned. “They are not. My face feels a lot smoother,” she argued.
“And why does your face need to feel smooth?”
Her back straightened and she arched a brow. “I’m going to Drummond’s party with Hastings tonight,” she announced. “You never know who’s going to be kissing my face.” I let out a low growl, and she knew why. “Don’t start, Saxton. I need stress reliever.”
“Then call Fox,” I practically snapped. I’ve done a good job of accepting that Kincaid was a grown woman, and I didn’t get overly protective of her when it came to her dating life, but things were different now, and I didn’t like the risks that she was taking.
“I said, don’t start,” she repeated.
“This is going to blow up in your face, babe,” I told her. “Maybe not…the other stuff, because we have all that covered, but…this thing with Fox is going to get ugly.”
“How do you figure?”
“This isn’t out-of-sight-out-of-mind anymore,” I pointed out. “How much longer do you think he can be around you without finally demanding some answers?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she quickly replied. “He’s not getting any.”
“Kincaid-”
“Not today, okay, Sax?” she said, interrupting my lecture, and I knew the little shit was manipulating me.
“You know I hate it when you try to play me, Kincaid,” I reminded her.
“I know,” she said. “But just let me manipulate you today, okay?”
I ran my hands down my face. “Christ,” I mumbled. “I need a fucking drink.”
“Help yourself,” she remarked cheerfully.
I looked over at my best friend, and I knew one thing for certain.
I was going to Drummond Markle’s party tonight.