The Laws of Attraction (Love is a Destination Book 2)

by Carly Morgan

  “Me too.” Birdy went over to her suitcase. “Are Max’s brothers going to be upset that Ares is his best man?”

  “He and Ares decided it was for the best, especially since Max invited Toby to come. He didn’t want there to be any hurt feelings because he picked one sibling over the other.”

  “That makes sense. K, I’m decent.”

  Katie turned around as Birdy began pulling out dozens of swimsuits in various colors.

  Katie raised her eyebrows. “Did you decide to move in?”

  “We’re going to be here a while. I needed a lot of swimwear.” Birdy held up a white one. “This would be gorgeous against your skin.”

  “I’ll wear white on my wedding day, but not before.” Katie sat on the bed beside the suits and began digging through them.

  Birdy sighed. “Wear this one, then. I actually bought it for you.”

  It was bright yellow with little white flowers all over it. “I’ll try it on,” Katie said, taking it and running to the bathroom. “Do you have a cover up?” she asked after a few minutes. “I really don’t want to walk around in just this.” She walked about of the bathroom.

  “Wow, you look amazing.”

  “Thanks.” Katie checked her reflection in the mirror. “But I definitely want a cover up, if you’ve got one.”

  “Yes, I have one. And I’ll wear one too.” As a former model, Birdy was used to walking around in very little, but she wanted her friend to be comfortable. She took out the matching yellow cover up, a little sundress with ruffles along the hem, and handed it to Katie.

  “Cute,” Katie said.

  “I’m glad you like it.” Birdy beamed. “I did a good job shopping for you.”

  “Yes, but you didn’t need to buy me anything.” Katie slid the dress over her head and adjusted it.

  Birdy took her black mesh cover up and pulled it on. Then put on some black flip-flops. Katie had on light blue boat shoes that would work fine for the beach and her outfit.

  “I know, but it’s fun.”

  “Well, thank you. And by the way, you look gorgeous,” Katie said.

  “Yay.” Birdy smiled, shoving some of the suits back into her suitcase.

  Katie slid on her shoes and fixed her hair. “Ready.”

  “It’s about time. Sheesh,” she said with mock sarcasm.

  Katie ignored her quip. “Can I pick up my clothes later?”

  “You know it.” Birdy took her key and tucked it into the side of her bikini bottoms. Then she grabbed Katie’s hand and squeezed. “I’m so happy to see you, Kiki. You and me, girl. We are going to do lots of hanging out over the next week.”

  “Yes, we are.” Katie pulled Birdy toward the door.

  “Now, take me to the food.”

  “On it,” Katie said, laughing.

  Chapter Four

  “The Shark Pit. That’s where you’re taking me?” Birdy asked when she saw the food truck in the distance.

  “Don’t be a snob. The food is amazing. Max and I ate here the last time we were in Maui. I’ve had dreams about this food.”

  Birdy gave Katie a wary look. “It better be amazing, then, because you’ve really set the bar high.”

  “Just wait. You’ll see. It’s beyond good.”

  There was a long line, which brought Birdy some comfort. If the food were gross, people wouldn’t keep eating there. They stopped at the end of the line and Birdy turned around to admire the ocean. There was a cross breeze and the waves were high. Several surfers caught a wave and rode it in. She’d never been surfing, but wanted to learn.

  “Surf lessons are on the agenda,” Katie said.

  “I’m a little nervous, but definitely want to try it out.”

  “I’m really scared, especially because of sharks, but Max has assured me there won’t be any.” Katie turned back toward the line.

  “You still love him, right?” Birdy asked in a quiet voice.

  Katie wrapped an arm around Birdy. “More than ever,” she said, her eyes getting misty.

  “I want that,” Birdy said, her voice even lower.

  “You’ll get it. If anyone on Earth deserves to find love, it’s you.”

  While Katie spoke, Birdy heard her friend’s breath quicken. Birdy looked over and her stomach did a little somersault. Max and Ares and three guys she didn’t know were walking toward them. “I believe you,” Birdy whispered and then cleared her throat. “Did you invite them?” she asked, feeling a twinge of betrayal. It didn’t escape her notice that she was immediately drawn to Ares. He was by far the most gorgeous of the group. The man had a twenty pack.

  All five guys all had their shirts off and wore board shorts and flip-flops. They looked like they’d just come from a male modeling shoot. She wasn’t the only female to notice, either. All heads turned as the five men walked toward Katie and Birdy.

  “No. I told Max he was on his own tonight, that it would just be you and me.” It was obvious Katie wasn’t disappointed to see him though.

  Birdy felt immediately better anyway. “Well, I guess you two are like opposite ends of a magnet. Always drawn together.” She shook her head and turned back toward the line.

  “I guess so,” Katie said, waving.

  Birdy forced herself not to sulk. This vacation was about fun. No guys, no drama.

  As if on cue, her assistant Georgie, the show’s producer Meredith, and Josh the cameraman headed their way.

  Birdy plastered on a smile to mask her inner groan. “Showtime. Nine o’clock.”

  “What?” Katie asked, looking at Birdy and then noticing the crew. “Good thing I made everyone sign non-disclosure agreements.”

  “Yes. Otherwise Meredith would have ‘accidentally’ spilled the beans and steamrolled your entire wedding,” she whispered.

  Meredith wasn’t even looking at Birdy as she approached. Neither was Georgie. They were both completely focused on the men. Meredith walked right up to one of the guys Birdy didn’t know, but who she guessed was one of Max’s brothers, and stuck out her hand. “Hello, I’m Meredith, the producer of Birdy Knows Best.”

  The guys chuckled.

  Georgie followed Meredith’s lead and stuck out her hand. “Hi, I’m Georgina.”

  The guy with the blondest hair came forward and took her hand. It was like watching National Geographic put on a show about mating season. Birdy rolled her eyes and looked away. She’d seen enough.

  Katie had Max by the arm and was dragging him along in the line.

  “Are you mad?” Katie whispered to Birdy.

  “No, just famished.”

  Max chuckled and Birdy eyed him. “What are you laughing at?”

  “It’s just that when Katie and I came here, she was the one who was always hungry. I’ve just noticed another thing the two of you have in common.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know this was a thing,” Birdy said, her interest piqued.

  “It is. You may not look alike, but I swear you could be sisters.”

  “We are sisters by different misters,” Katie said, smiling up at her man.

  “True, but it seems to be deeper than that.” He shrugged when they both looked at him. “It’s just a gut feeling.”

  Birdy liked that Max said what was on his mind. He didn’t worry about what others might think. He did his own thing, and it seemed to be working for him. “Tell your guts to find something else to do. We are definitely closer than sisters, we just don’t share DNA.”

  “I guess you’re right.” He glanced back at the guys and Birdy followed his gaze. “Hey, troublemakers, come over and meet Birdy.”

  As one, the guys came over. The blond was still holding Georgie’s hand. Birdy had never seen such immediate attraction or such a connection. She sensed that might be an issue later, but let it slide for now. Just because she’d sworn off men didn’t mean the rest of womankind had.

  Max rolled his eyes. “Dean, release Georgie’s hand and come say hello.”

  The young man did as his brother commande
d. “Hey, Birdy, I’m Dean, Max’s youngest brother. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You too,” she said.

  He pulled her into a hug. “Birdy, huh? Why not Bluebird or Robin?”

  She smiled. “My actual name is Pamela Bird, but my friends call me Birdy.”

  “Oh, that makes more sense.” He gave her a huge smile and stepped out of the way. And Birdy realized he was just a flirt. A man-child flirt.

  “The tall one here is August,” Max said.

  “Hi, Birdy. I like your name.” August hugged her.

  “I like yours too.”

  “Thanks.”

  Max gestured to the final stranger. “And last but not least is Matthew.”

  He stepped forward and hugged her. “But my friends call me Matt.”

  She grinned, hugging him back. “Hey, Matt. Good to meet you.”

  “And you,” he said, his eyes sparkling.

  Ares came into view. “Are we eating or what? I’m starved.”

  “You’re like two peas in a pod, I swear,” Katie said, chuckling.

  “Max was telling us this place rocks,” Dean said.

  “It does,” Katie responded.

  “She’s right,” Max agreed.

  The group was nearly to the front of the line. Between the gorgeous guys and the cameraman, a big group of people, mostly women, had started to form around them. They were whispering, obviously trying to figure out whether they knew them.

  A gaggle of teenaged girls came over to Birdy.

  “Hi.” One of the girls said, smiling. She had dark skin and black hair cut close to her head. “You’re Birdy Bird, right?” Her silver hoop ear rings bounced as she spoke.

  “I am.” Birdy noticed the girl had a napkin and a pen and couldn’t help wondering where she’d gotten them from.

  “Can I get your autograph?”

  “Sure.” She took the napkin. “Who should I sign it to?”

  “My name is Emily,” the girl said, giggling. Then she rushed on. “I love your show so much. I knew you were innocent and that someone had set you up. I kept telling my friends,” she paused and glanced back at the two other girls. “I said, ‘Someone caged that bird,’ but…’ She trailed off as she realized who stood next to Birdy. “Oh my!” She covered her mouth. “You’re Ares Devereux.” She began jumping up and down. Her friends joined in. Then one of them started to cry.

  “We love you,” the redhead said.

  “So much,” the brunette echoed.

  Birdy thought Emily might faint.

  “Can I get your autograph, too?”

  Birdy handed the pen and the napkin over to Ares. “They’re all yours.” Then to the girls, she said, “Nice to meet you.”

  It was her turn to order. Katie came to stand beside her as she examined the menu. “Anything is good,” she said.

  “I’ll have the kimchee tacos.”

  “Coming up,” the large guy inside the food truck said.

  Katie beamed. “That’s what I got the last time I was here.”

  “What are you getting this time?”

  “Probably the same,” Katie said sheepishly.

  The guy came back. “That’ll be ten fifty.”

  Birdy realized she’d brought her key but nothing else. She started to speak, but Katie cut her off.

  “I’m getting hers. In fact, I’ll get this whole group’s.”

  “You got it, girl,” the guy said, giving her a toothy grin.

  Everyone ordered, and they ended up taking the food back to the hotel because of the large crowd. The girls wouldn’t leave Ares alone, but when someone recognized Max, the group turned into a feeding frenzy. People snapped pictures, asking for autographs and screaming like they were at a rock concert. Birdy had grown accustomed to moments like that, but she’d hoped to avoid them in Maui.

  She broke away from the others and walked ahead. Ares appeared beside her as they made their way along the beach. “I hope my fifteen minutes of fame are over now.” He chuckled self-consciously. “That is not something I could do every day. I don’t know how you manage it with such grace.”

  Birdy appreciated his compliment. It wasn’t easy being a reality star. “It isn’t that bad. Really. It’s never been worse than what it was a moment ago. I’m small potatoes compared to what Max has to put up with.”

  When they reached the Four Seasons everyone headed to Katie’s room. She had the Lokelani Presidential Suite. Birdy was impressed, especially since she knew Katie didn’t usually choose such lavish accommodations. It was her wedding though and she deserved the very best.

  “Do you have to deal with that often, Birdy?” August asked, finishing up his taco.

  Meredith answered for her. “Not often enough, if you want my opinion.”

  Birdy smiled. “I think it happens more for your brother than it does me. He’s seriously famous.” She glanced at Katie. Her best friend was still eating happily. It was awesome to see that Katie wasn’t even fazed by the fact that girls and women threw themselves at her fiancé. She was completely confident in the love of her husband-to-be. Birdy wanted that.

  Ares nudged her before swallowing the last bite of his shrimp taco. She’d raised her eyebrows at him when he ordered four, but he’d eaten every single one. He hadn’t been joking when he’d said he was starving, apparently. “You’re pretty famous yourself,” he said, wadding up his wrappers.

  “Don’t even start. I’m known, but those girls nearly passed out at the sight of you.” She mock-punched him on the arm.

  Ares pretended to flinch, his eyes filling with playful humor. “Did you just pay me a compliment?”

  “What?” Birdy was shocked. “No.”

  “It sort of sounded like you were,” Dean jumped in.

  Birdy’s face got hot. “Well I wasn’t. I was just saying that girls…” She stopped, flustered. “Stop talking to me.” She got up and walked over to the window.

  The group laughed and the vibe of the room felt good. She was happy, though it was frustrating when she had a plan and it didn’t go the way she thought it should. At that thought, she realized that was another thing she and Katie had in common. Funny how she hadn’t realized before now. Probably because they looked so different. Katie was short, petite, and curvy. She had dark brown hair and blue eyes while Birdy had blonde, naturally curly hair and hazel eyes. She was also tall and super slim. As a child, her doctor had diagnosed her with hyperthyroidism which basically meant she had the metabolism of a hummingbird and she had to eat often.

  “What are you thinking about?” Ares came to stand beside her.

  “Nothing,” she said, distracted by his nearness. Somehow, she always noticed him, which was interesting since, most of the time, she forgot about Josh the cameraman who followed her everywhere.

  “Seems like a very serious nothing.”

  She shrugged. “Nothing I want to talk about,” she clarified, moving over to the french doors and heading outside. The sun was going down and the air had become a little cooler. She sighed when Ares followed her. “Can’t you take a hint? I want to be alone.”

  He blinked, surprised. Then his jaws clenched and suddenly he was the confident, not-quite-arrogant junior associate who’d taken her case and helped free her from prison.

  Her stomach turned. She hadn’t meant to be rude. “Ares, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

  “Don’t even worry about it.” He went back inside.

  She was an idiot. “Great.” Frustrated, she sank into one of the chairs. It’d been a long day. This morning, she’d met with Meredith to discuss filming in Maui. Then she and Georgie had discussed what she would and would not be allowed to post on social media. They’d done some last-minute shopping. She’d had lunch with her mom and then she’d gone to the airport. Birdy liked keeping busy because when she had a moment to herself, she tended to think about her time in jail. It’d been beyond unpleasant, scary, and a place she never wanted to see the inside of, ever again. Usually she was a very
well-liked person. People seemed drawn to her. In jail, the women there wanted nothing more than to mess with her, fight her, or start trouble. She’d felt like an alien from another planet or a two-headed cat. It’d been the worst experience of her life.

  One of the women had even threatened her life.

  Birdy shuddered at the memory and made a rash decision. She got up and went inside where she saw Ares talking quietly to Meredith. Steeling herself, she grabbed his hand. “I saw there was a sunset helicopter ride. Want to go with me?”

  He gave her a confused look. Clearly, he hadn’t expected her to speak to him again after she’d shut him down so completely before.

  Birdy didn’t blame him. She was confused too. All she knew was that she wanted to stop thinking about her past and have some fun. “No worries if you can’t.” She was still in her bathing suit, but she figured this was Maui and regular clothing was optional. This time she would remember her pocketbook. She walked over to Katie. “I’m gonna get going. See you tomorrow?”

  Katie studied her face. “Want me to come with you?”

  “No. Thanks.” She leaned in to whisper, “Stay with your fiancé and get to know his brothers.”

  Meredith snapped her fingers, indicating Josh should follow Birdy.

  She gritted her teeth. “Night, everyone. Dean. August. Matt. It was great to meet you.”

  “You too,” Matt said.

  The blond—Dean—waved. “Night.”

  August smiled. “Later.”

  She closed the door and walked down the hall. Tears bubbled up on her lashes and she wiped at them, annoyed at herself.

  “Wait up,” Ares called.

  She turned around. “You don’t have to come with me.”

  He smiled. “Good to know. But I want to.”

  Birdy felt her face light up. “Let me get my wallet.”

  Ares shook his head. “This one’s on me. I’ll let you get the next one.”

  “I like the sound of that.” She knew it sounded like she’d just thrown her second rule out the window, but she hadn’t. She would take him somewhere if for no other reason than to keep her promise.

  Chapter Five