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“Oh,” I murmur. “Bennett’s home.”

The front door creaks open, followed by a loud, painful groan. His footsteps are unsteady as he stumbles into the kitchen, not even noticing that I’m straddling West’s lap as he makes a very hungover beeline for the coffee machine.

“Fuck,” he groans as he stumbles into a chair.

I pull back from West, who’s trying not to grin as Bennett drops his forehead onto the counter like the weight of it is too much.

“I think our baby’s got his first hangover,” I whisper to him.

“Should we be kind or cruel?” West whispers back.

“Definitely kind.” I hop off his lap and walk over to Bennett, grabbing a coffee cup and filling it halfway, because the man has the shakes and I’d rather he not make a mess. “Here,” I say, passing it to him. “Good night?”

“Jesse has a lot of guitars.” He blinks, like he’s still half drunk. “And a lot of whiskey.”

“Ouch.” I wrinkle my nose. “Have you had anything to eat?”

“Don’t mention food,” he whispers.

I bite down a smile. “Go up to bed,” I tell him. “I’ll bring you some water and painkillers, okay?”

He nods, then groans, as though the movement caused him pain. “You’re the best,” he tells me.

I stroke his arm as he turns and starts walking back down the hallway. As he shuffles to the stairs, West beckons me back to his lap. I slide over him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Poor Bennett,” I say.

“Poor me. I have one employee out of action due to the after effects from torture, and the other in bed after a guitar based whiskey massacre.” He slides his hands over my hips. “I’m going to have to rethink my entire HR strategy.”

“You have a strategy?” I ask, smiling at him. “It really doesn’t show.”

He shakes his head, but he’s smiling too. Then his eyes narrow. Only slightly, but enough for me to recognize that look.

“I have an idea,” he murmurs.

“What now?”

“We should take Bennett to the Hamptons with us.”

“For our romantic getaway?”

“I wasn’t planning on having him share our room.” He laughs softly. “But seriously, it’ll be good for him. Networking. Meeting people. Maybe getting him away from his uncle’s clutches even more.” He tips his head to the side, his eyes locking on mine.“And I’m slightly concerned that if we leave him here for the weekend, he’ll blab our secret to everybody before we’re ready.”

I nod slowly, touched at how much he wants Bennett to succeed. And from a completely selfish point of view, having Bennett with us at this stupidly swanky Hollywood party would make me feel less like a fish out of water.

“Fine,” I say. “Let’s have an office outing. Very professional.”

“Perfect,” West says, kissing me one more time. “Me, my wife, and my hungover office intern. Nothing screams professional more than that.”

I smile at the happiness in his voice. We won’t be hiding, we won’t be sneaking around. Instead, we’ll be going to a party as man and wife. I feel a surge of hope rise through me.

For the first time since this all started, it feels like everything’s going to be okay.

Which is, quite frankly, terrifying.

twenty-eight

EDEN

The Hamptons are beautiful on this late August evening as West drives us toward the party. The air outside is thick with salt and honeysuckle, the kind of sweetness that sneaks through the open window and clings to my skin.