Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 133878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Gemma leaned forward, putting her other hand over Brooke’s. “Oh, no. You have a place to stay. You have the foreman’s house.”
“But it’s not mine, and I don’t want to put Beth and Hope out.”
“I need you to think about why Beth leapt on the opportunity to steal you right out from under Rachel. She didn’t have to offer that house up. They use it as their playroom. I assure you they’ll cut back with the three of you living there. So why would she do it?”
“To help out Shane and Bay.” Oh, she was being dumb. “She knows I’ll babysit.”
Gemma chuckled and sat back. “And there we are. She’s not planning on taking advantage, but Hope’s in her last months, and they depend on each other to help with the kids. I need to emphasize that she is not bringing you in as an unpaid nanny, but I know she’ll feel better if there’s a competent woman she can leave her babies with if she needs to take Hope somewhere.”
She actually felt better knowing she could help. “Well, I will have to split my time then because I think that’s why my sister-in-law was excited to have me here. The good news is the G is a great place to hold a play group. Between that and my theater job, I’ll have plenty to do.” It felt good to make some choices. It felt good to get rid of that stupid timer on her relationship with Bay and Shane. “Could you please ask Seth to send someone to my old place and do the paperwork?”
“I’ll need a formal interview, but not today.” She closed her notebook. “Today we’re going to talk about sex and kink, and how there’s nothing shameful about it.”
“I am here for this talk.” Lucy Carson was suddenly at the table, and she hadn’t come alone.
Brooke had texted her when Gemma changed the meet spot to the lodge. She couldn’t walk into Lucy’s workplace without at least giving her a hug. Apparently Lucy had called River Lee, because she was here, too.
Brooke got up and got those hugs. “I’m so glad to see you.”
Lucy held her close. “We’re happy you’re home.”
River got in on the affection. “So happy.”
River sniffled as she stepped back. “Now Luce texted me and told me you were coming, so we’re crashing your lunch. And I heard something about an engagement.”
Lucy snorted. “I told you. She got caught with her hands in the ménage jar and her brothers were obnoxious, so she tossed that out thinking all the men would run, and now she’s caught in her own trap.” Lucy waved down a server. “Hey, Val, we’re going to need some rosé.”
Gemma looked them over, and a brow cocked over her intelligent eyes. “See, I told you. Threesomes. Even in friendships, and Ty doesn’t count. Those two have been down a friend for a long time.”
“Well, I was down to me and Ty while River here followed Jax all over the world.” Lucy took a seat.
River sat down across from her. “He was on the run from a crazy lady who took all his memories. I made vows. In sickness and health and in case of supervillain trying to kill us.”
“Well, I’m glad that particular villain is dead and gone.” Lucy pulled her napkin over her lap. “So did you see the latest paparazzi shots of Georgia?”
Georgia Stark-Warner didn’t care what the world thought. She went all over the city with her husbands, Logan and Seth. Seth being the billionaire he was, the press was fascinated.
Georgia handled it all with her usual aplomb, though Seth had upped their security since they had their first kid.
“They were all over her at the airport. Seth was pissed.” She leaned over to look at River’s phone and winced. “I look like the nanny. And like the really sad nanny. Yikes.”
The picture was of them walking toward the airplane. Georgia was smiling and holding hands with Seth. Logan was on her other side, carrying their infant son against his chest. Brooke trailed behind carrying her sad suitcase with a backpack on her back.
Awesome. She was in the society pages and she looked like the world had kicked the hell out of her.
Because it had. She sighed and turned back. “Well, it was worth it for the free ride.”
River nodded. “Now tell us everything.”
The server brought the rosé, and Brooke relaxed with her friends.
* * * *
Bay looked around the place and wondered if they shouldn’t make it…prettier. Even that tiny place Brooke was in last night had some decorations. Not much, but there had been flowers. Should he go get some flowers? Brooke liked pretty things.
The house was nice, had plenty of room, but it was…neutral. He didn’t want her to see it as a hotel room. He wanted her to get comfortable here.