She stared up at me, her eyes wide. “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”
I smirked. “Good. I like my women speechless. Also, do you have security cameras around here?”
“Whiplash due to subject change there, Carragan, and I have one inside and one outside, why?”
I, of course, knew this already, but best to play like I didn’t. “I’d like to add a few more if that’s okay with you.” She arched a brow, the question clear—why? “I’ve been looking into your case still, and I’d just be more comfortable knowing you have bumped up security. Consider it a personal favor. I’ll even install them for you.”
She watched me carefully, and I could see the thoughts rushing through her mind. “Fine. I’m buying them though.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be a brat. I’ll swing by in the next couple of days and set them up. Just text me a good time and I’ll make it work.” Picking up my coffee, I raised it to my lips,taking a sip before letting out a moan. “God damn. Best coffee in town. I’ll see you later, Brady.”
Grabbing my scone, I walked out the door and back to my SUV before she could mutter another word to me.
Fuck I couldn’t wait to see her again.
21
GIRLS NIGHT
Ember
We wereall sitting in a circle on a pile of blankets in Aspen’s living room. Pizza and Chinese food had been ordered, I’d brought an array of pastries and wine, Ivy had brought ingredients for mimosas for the hangover in the morning, along with popcorn and peanut M&Ms. Not to mention my bagels that Rowan insisted upon when he found out we were planning this—for the morning after.
The man himself walked down the steps and walked over, kissing Aspen on the forehead. “Now you three, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Aspen rolled her eyes with a smile.
“Go away. Girl time. Don’t you and your brothers have manly trouble to go and create?” Aspen asked with a smirk that only spoke of a never-ending love for the man in front of her, but mixed with the knowledge that she knew he wasalways up to no good when it came to plotting and scheming with his siblings.
Rowan went wide-eyed, and a pretend look of shock overcame his face. “I can’t believe you’d say such a thing, little angel. I would never.” He smiled and kissed her once more. “Kidding, obviously. I’ll be over at Oliver’s with Wyatt and Theo if you need me. We’re having beers and such. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Wait, what’s Payton doing tonight?” Ivy asked.
“Working sadly. I did offer to let her come over once she was done with her shift, but she apparently had other plans. Girl has been crazy vague on her plans when she’s not with us, but I’m trying not to be an overbearing new sister,” Aspen stated. She kissed Rowan one more time, and he left, locking the door behind him.
We all got comfortable, and Aspen turned onLegally Blonde, one of all of our favorites, before they both turned and looked at me. “Okay, spill,” Ivy said gleefully. My eyes bounced between the two of them, and their expressions couldn’t look any more different. Aspen appeared nervous as she fussed with her cuticles absentmindedly, while Ivy was physically bouncing in her seat.
“Do I just start at the beginning? It’s been a long fucking time since I dished all my secrets to a group of girls.” I pulled the blanket up on me further as I pulled my knees towards my chest and leaned my back against the couch. They both nodded, and I released a deep breath. I could do this. They loved me, and they wouldn’t judge me for this. I repeated the mantra three times before I finally got up the nerve to start speaking.
“Okay, so about two months ago, I was in the middle of a yoga class and?—”
“You go to yoga classes and don’t invite us?” Ivy interrupted.
“I’ve never been to a yoga class,” Aspen added.
I felt my cheeks heat, but I smiled all the same. “Every Wednesday morning, I go to yoga and then brunch with my mother. You’re more than welcome to join any of the above, but my mother is a handful, so be warned.”
“Oh we’re so in!” Ivy added excitedly as Aspen nodded in agreement. “Okay, sorry. Go on.”
I nodded and took a quick drink of my wine before I dove back into storytelling mode. “Okay, so the girls beside me started talking about this app they’d heard about. Apparently, it was like a hook-up app through the sex club over in Sapphire Cove, Silk and Spice?” They both nodded, looking no less intrigued than before. No looks of disgust crossed their faces for even a moment, which gave me a bit of courage to continue. “The same day, I went to lunch with my mom, and she started in on how I needed to get my life together and stop working so much, whatever. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I had applied to join the beta test group before the app launches. To my surprise that night, I was accepted.”
Both their eyes widened, and Ivy let out a small gasp. “What?! That’s so fun! What is it like? Can I see? Did you match up with anyone? Oh my gosh, is he stunning?! I bet he’sstunning!”
Aspen and I looked at each other and immediately started laughing. “Let her finish her story, Ivy!” Aspen said.
“Sorry, you’re right. Go on. You joined the awesome sex app and met the love of your life, and now he’s stalking you in order to show his love.” Ivy had a dreamy look in her eyes, and I couldn’t help but laugh again.
“Um maybe?” I said as I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m notsure. So I did meet a guy, and we’ve been seeing? I guess that’s the word, each other, for a little over a month. It was always anonymous,” Ivy perked up, but I continued before she could interrupt again. “I know! Question Queen! We wore masks, met at night, and one time we even met at the club and used one of their dark rooms. It’s been…intense to say the least. And before you ask, yes, I think I really like him. But then I saw him at your party, Aspen, and we talked all night long, and then the gifts started right afterwards. At first, I didn’t think it was him, but today he told me that I had to accept the next gift, and in walked the gift moments later.”
“What was it?” Aspen asked. They were both leaning forward as if they were on the edges of their seats, waiting for the next information drop.
