First & Forever (The Crescent Chronicles Book 4) by Alyssa Rose Ivy

wasn’t the end. It was just the beginning.
    “Wait, no Hailey. It’s not what you think.” Allie pulled on her tank top and stood up. She turned to look at me.
    I was still working to calm myself as I waited on the sand. “If it wasn’t what she thought, then what was it?”
    “Almost a mistake,” she mumbled before hurrying after Hailey.
    I didn’t let her words get to me. Her true feelings were the ones she’d been showing me before we were interrupted. “It didn’t seem like you were worried about that a minute ago!”
    She didn’t answer.
    I listened in on her conversation with Hailey. I wondered when Allie would realize just how well I could hear.
    “I’m really sorry you had to see that.”
    Hailey smiled at her. “You don’t have to explain. I actually think it’s kind of cute.”
    “Cute?”
    “Yeah… I don’t know, I think you guys work together…” Hailey trailed off as I caught up with them, and we walked the remaining distance to the fire.
    “Nice of you two to join us,” Owen jested.
    “It would have been nicer had we not, but what can you do?” I shrugged, still trying to swallow back my frustration. Being angry at Hailey wasn’t going to help my cause.
    Allie groaned, making us all laugh.
    “Relax, no one cares that you are finally done playing hard to get.” Jared seemed to like pushing her buttons as much as I did. She seemed like the type of girl who liked to stand up for herself, so I let it ride, but I’d be ready to step in if it got out of line. “Oh, I wasn’t playing at anything.” She glared at him. “What’s your problem?”
    “My problem?” he asked with mock innocence. Jared was quite the character when he wanted to be.
    “Yeah. Why can’t you go five minutes without saying something obnoxious to me?”
    Owen snorted.
    Allie glanced at me, probably waiting to see what I would do. I did nothing. She had this, and I was enjoying the show. I’d never seen a girl stand up to Jared that way.
    “Like you’re any better. You can’t even look me in the eye tonight.”
    “Yes, I can.” She walked over to him, stopping only inches away, and stared him down. “See. I can look you in the eye.”
    “Levi, can you tell your girl to heel?” Jared said dryly before turning away and disappearing down the beach.
    “Arggh! What the hell is his problem?” She yelled.
    “Isn’t it obvious?” Owen answered.
    She turned to look at him. “What’s obvious?”
    “You took his wing man away.”
    “Oh, please!” Hailey laughed. “Jared is just being his annoying self.”
    Allie looked at me, and I only shrugged. “I’ll talk to him if you want, but you seem perfectly capable of handling it yourself.”
    “Yes, I am. And anyway, I should really be getting back.”
    “Already?” I wasn’t ready to say goodnight. Maybe this was just code to get me alone again? A guy could hope.
    “Yeah, it’s getting late. I have something called work tomorrow. Ever heard of it?” She snapped.
    “What, you think I don’t have a job?” Did she think I was lazy or something?
    “Do you?”
    I went with evasive honesty. “I work for my father too.”
    “Oh.”
    “See, we have even more in common than you thought.” I smiled. Allie looked so damn sexy when she was angry. That only reminded me of what had just been interrupted. “All right, I’ll take you home.”
    “Good seeing you.” Hailey tossed Allie’s flip-flops over to her. She held them in one hand and took my advice this time. She looked adorable in my oversized sweatshirt. “You look too good in that.” I moved behind her and pulled her into my arms.
    “Bye!” she called to Hailey and Owen just as I took off.
    I enjoyed the flight just as much this time. Having my hands on her was always nice, but the best part was that I knew she loved flying—she loved doing something that other guys couldn’t give her.
    We landed on her balcony, and I jimmied her door open. “This was an interesting