Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
The O’Neill psychic abilities still surprised Heavenly, but they were too uncanny not to be real.
After a quick knock on the front door, it opened and River appeared in the kitchen. He looked withdrawn. “Ladies.”
Raine took one look at her older brother’s face and scowled. “What’s wrong?”
“The fucking mattress at the rent-by-the-week shithole is almost as bad as Seth’s sofa at the office. I might be desperate enough to take Heavenly’s suggestion and ask Pike about renting a room at his place. I just hate the thought of living with that asshole.”
“You and Pike under the same roof?” Raine shook her head. “That will end in war, especially when he finds out you’ve been stalking Jasmine like some obsessed—”
“Hey, I figured out where she lives, where she gets her coffee, where she works out, and what her daily schedule is. That doesn’t mean I’m stalking her.”
“Um…that’s exactly what it means, big brother.”
“I’m being attentive. Protective, even.”
Raine rolled her eyes. “You’re being delusional. Taking her virginity doesn’t mean you own her.”
River ignored her and turned to Heavenly with an imploring stare. “You understand, right?”
Heavenly grimaced. “Actually…it sounds like stalking to me, too. Sorry.”
“Of course you’re siding with my sister. Jasmine and I have unfinished business, and I’m not letting up until we hash it out.”
“Give her some space,” Heavenly suggested gently. “She’ll come around.”
River wasn’t having it. “I’ve given her months. I’m done waiting.”
“Translation: you still haven’t taken anyone else to bed, so you’re getting horny and desperate.” Raine’s smile was pure saccharine.
“No, I’m annoyed that my little sister won’t stop being a shit.”
“What are you going to do?” Heavenly asked.
“Right now? Go out to the patio and enjoy myself.” River headed for the door.
With the men, who would ostensibly understand him.
“I meant about Jasmine,” Heavenly called to his retreating back.
“Oh, I have a whole new strategy.” His grin was an implacable mixture of determination and mischief.
Based on that expression, Jasmine didn’t stand a chance.
Once he shut the sliding door behind him, Raine shook her head, suppressing a laugh. “It’s official. He’s insane.”
“I think you’re right.”
The doorbell rang, and Heavenly whirled. “I’ll get that.”
She hustled to the foyer and found a familiar man—tall, dark-haired, and casually dressed—on her porch. He wore a polite smile on his stern face and held a bottle of wine. He didn’t look lethal. She knew better.
“Jericho! Good to see you again,” she welcomed. “Come in. I’m glad you could make it.”
“Thanks for inviting me.” He smiled as he stepped inside and handed her the vino. “After five years in San Bernardino, I’m happy to be back in LA. But most of my friends have either gotten hitched or moved away. So I appreciate being included.”
“Of course. Happy to have you! How are you settling in?”
“Can’t complain. I like my new place. Was lucky to find it, that’s for sure. Nice neighbors.” He shrugged. “We’ll see.”
“Sounds like you made the right decision. Beers and bottled water are in the cooler on the patio, where the guys are, probably swapping grilling techniques.”
“Or telling dirty jokes,” Raine quipped, appearing beside her. “Good to see you again.”
“You, too, Mrs… What’s your married name?”
“Hammerman-O’Neill. But just call me Raine.”
“So you married Liam, then?”
She grinned. “We chose the name because it’s alphabetical. But who I legally married is a secret we’ll all take to our graves.”
As Jericho raised a brow, Zach appeared on the walkway behind him, his face quietly reserved.
“Zach!” Heavenly moved in to hug him, keeping it brief since he still seemed reluctant to touch his brother’s girlfriend. “I’m so glad you could make it. Where’s your date?”
“Hannah and I decided to take a step back. After what she endured in her sect, she’s not ready for more yet. I respect that.”
“Understandable.” Heavenly hoped he wasn’t hurt. She had no doubt he was lonely. “Tried the pool again?”
“Since I’m still closer to drowning than swimming, no.” Then he turned to Jericho. “Hey! I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Good to see you, man.” Jericho shook his hand. “How’ve you been?”
“Pretty good. You?”
“Can’t complain.” Jericho clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s grab a beer.”
The two headed out to the patio.
Together, she and Raine finished plating the last of the appetizers and side dishes. As they worked, Heavenly could see the men gathered around the grill, their laughter carrying on the evening breeze. Hudson and Casen splashed around the pool, clearly enjoying themselves.
“Are we waiting on anyone else?” Raine asked.
“No. Ready to join the party?” Heavenly picked up a tray of food.
Raine grabbed another platter of food and paused at the patio door. Heavenly watched Seth laugh at something Hammer said while keeping an eye on Hudson in the pool. He looked relaxed, happy even, surrounded by friends and family.
But tonight they were announcing their engagement and introducing his long-lost son. Soon, Seth would have to devise a strategy for telling his mother about their unconventional relationship. So many life-altering decisions up in the air and out of their hands. How long would Hudson stay with them? What kind of impact would he have on their lives? And, Heavenly wondered, what if she got pregnant?