Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55395 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55395 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“The sex is great. Sorry, Kennedy,” I tease. Since Jagger isn’t her brother, I’m able to get away with a smidge more. “The house is still in the early remodeling stages, but Jagger and his crew were able to get the master bedroom and bathroom done. I’m not sure when it will be finished, so as for shopping, it might be a few weeks from now, once more rooms are done and I can store things properly.”
“Well, I’m down, and I know the rest of the girls will be, too,” Kennedy states.
“Um, I hate to ask, but have you figured out what you’ll be doing with the house once it’s finished?” Lennie asks the question that’s been plaguing me for a while now. It seems every time I’m adamant about doing something or sticking to my guns, I change my mind.
“Well, for the time being, we decided to go back and forth. I know that won’t last forever, but I’d like to at least live there before making any big decisions.”
“You could always do what Lennie does.” Winnie nods her way.
“What’s that?” I really hope it’s not turning it into one of those vacation-style homes. My neighbors would probably kill me. I’d no doubt be a bundle of nerves, and the logistics of keeping it clean non-stop would kill me.
“I keep the house next door reserved for friends and family. One day, I’ll figure out what to do with it, but for now, it gets used quite frequently.” Lennie takes a bite of her cheesecake.
“The only problem with that is I’m not sure mine would be used all that much. I’ve got Naomi, my mom’s best friend, but she spends most of her time in Paris, and unless her new beau changes her mind, I don’t think she’ll be in the States much longer.” I’ve chewed on this idea, too, plus the possibility of renting it out again, and while I know the damage wasn’t the last tenant’s fault, the thought still makes my gut sink.
“Oh, well, I might be able to help with that. If you want, my house isn’t big enough for the whole Johnson clan. Especially if my sister comes into town. They literally make this group look small. Maybe we can work something out, and if not, please feel free to tell me no,” Lennie suggests.
“You know, I like that idea a lot better. Can I get back with you once everything is settled?” There’s still a lot left to do, and Jagger mentioned the kitchen being the biggest setback with the lead time for kitchen cabinets.
“Of course. Excuse me, I see my niece found a different dessert. She must have been holding it back because I didn’t see that on the table to begin with.” Lennie dashes away, well, tries to as much as she can with her pregnancy belly.
“Hey, Lili, you ready to head home?” Jagger comes up behind me, hands wrapping around my chest and pulling me close to him.
“I am.” I look around. Everyone has dispersed, hanging with their men. A few of the girls are yawning, and I’m suddenly feeling the same.
“Let’s get outta here. Ready to have you in my arms, the game on, and you writing in your journal while Shadow begs for some ear scratches.” The scene he sets is the perfect end to our evening.
“Take me home, Jag, please.”
“My fucking pleasure.” He pulls back, captures my hand, laces our fingers, and then we’re off to say our goodbyes.
21
JAGGER
“Lyric, are you okay?” I come barreling through the door. Her text came through in the middle of the meeting, letting me know she wasn’t feeling well and would be taking a nap. I responded when I got out, an hour fucking later. The commercial building we’ve been trying to break ground on keeps hitting red tape after red tape. Joss is now working on another problem with it, and I’m done for the day. Lyric never responded to my message, and she didn’t answer when I called. It sent me spiraling, and I made a quick call to Joss telling her to clear my schedule, and I hightailed it home.
Shadow isn’t in the living area, and neither is Lyric. I kick my boots off where I stand; a task I forgot to do it in the garage, my mind so focused on my woman that thinking straight isn’t happening. I walk through the house, noticing the kitchen is clean, nothing is out of place, but the house is darker than usual. The curtains are pulled closed, and only one lamp in the living room is illuminated.
“Jagger?” She sits up in bed, hair pulled up on top of her bed in a bun, one of my shirts covering her, except it’s hanging off her shoulder because it swallows her body whole.