guest list.”
“Uh oh.”
“Yeah. It’s crazy, but at least we’ve finally decided on a venue for the reception.”
“Where’s the wedding going to be held?” Ari sipped her margarita, savoring the zing of lime and alcohol on her tongue.
“Catalina Island.”
“Ooo…nice.”
“Expensive.”
Ari chuckled. “You’ve got the cash and so does Shannon.”
“Speaking of cash…are you saving what you earn rather than spending it all on clothes?”
“You’ll be pleased to know I haven’t bought a thing since I got here.”
“Really?” Jay whistled. “Okay, now I’m worried.”
“Hey, I have some self-control.” Ari frowned when her brother laughed. “What? I do.” She took another generous swig from her glass, thinking about the real reason she hadn’t been shopping.
“Ari, you can barely go two days without spending money. What’s changed?”
Ari swallowed the melting ice on her tongue. “Maybe I have.” She sighed when her brother snorted. “Don’t you have a fiancée to dote on and a wedding menu to craft?”
“Don’t be mad.”
“I’m not.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to you later, Ari.”
Ari hung up the phone with a weary groan as she refilled her glass. She wasn’t upset. She was frustrated. Jay was right. She loved to shop, and not being able to the past few weeks had been difficult, but she was on a serious budget. There was no extra cash for heels or pretty dresses now, especially without having unlimited access to Jay’s bank card. Ari was determined not to ask her brother for any more financial support. She wanted to prove to him and to herself that she could sustain her lifestyle on her own.
“Like I need another pair of shoes anyway.” Ari slammed her drink on the counter, annoyed by how much she desired a new pair of stilettos. She poured more of the slushy margarita drink and exited the kitchen.
After opening all of the windows in the living room, Ari padded into the bedroom. She set her glass on top of a stack of celebrity magazines and stripped out of her silver sequined dress. The breeze moving through the ranch was lovely but it was still muggy. Ari preferred natural air over the air conditioning. Deciding to sit on the porch to cool off with her margarita, Ari pulled open a drawer and reached for her favorite white baby-doll style tankini. She stripped, donned the suit then turned to assess her appearance in the mirror.
The material appeared almost sheer in direct light but Ari wasn’t concerned about that at this time of day. She twirled in the mirror, pleased with the way the swimwear accentuated her curves. Her breasts looked bigger, thanks to the halter design at the top of the bathing suit. Ari wriggled her hips with a delighted giggle, wondering why she’d ever hesitated wearing the suit down to the beach. No one would bat an eye at what she had on, not with so many other women sporting the skimpiest bathing suits ever.
Ari pulled her long twists back into a low ponytail and secured them with a band, feeling instantly cooler. She grabbed her drink, took a sip and headed out of the bedroom. Ari flicked on the ceiling fan in the living room then went to the front door, ready to lounge on the comfy lawn furniture out on the porch.
Humming another love ballad, Ari pulled open the door. She yelped when she saw Ryder poised to knock. “Ryder!” Ari froze as conflicting arcs of excitement and apprehension raced up her spine.
She stared at Ryder, conscious of his gaze flitting over her as she drank in the sexy sight of him in dark jeans and a light purple T-shirt. Her heart thumped against her chest as familiar zings of awareness rendered her speechless.
“Hello, Ari.”
The deep timbre of his voice made her pulse react. How had she ever doubted how much she’d missed Ryder? Ari willed herself to speak. “Y-you’re here.”
Ari wet her bottom lip, remembering the white-hot passion of his kisses. She tightened her hold on her drink, once again