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I settle in beside them with a sigh of relief. “She’s suffering from muffin deficit. Mylene’s was closed due to sabotage.”

Francie doesn’t even blink. “Eileen again?”

“Unconfirmed. But Sadie’s betting on it.” Autumn steals another piece of cookie. “So, who’s having sex on the page right now?”

Skyler walks over, Milo in one hand, resting on her hip and two mismatched mugs in the other. “I heard gossip. That’s my cue.” She slides the mugs down like a bartender in an old western. “House blend, extra strong for Eden. No caffeine for you,” she says to Autumn. “You only get the terrible stuff I had to drink for nine months. You’re welcome.”

“I’ll take it,” Autumn says, inhaling hers like it’s oxygen.

Skyler takes a seat at the table next to me. “So, I’m sleep-deprived and bored. Who’s going to entertain me with a scandal?”

All eyes swivel to me.

“What?” I frown.

“You spent the night at West’s house. The man is walking gossip. Has he had a threesome with two models in the hot tub yet?”

I wrinkle my nose. “Ugh, I hope not.”

“Please,” Francie says, shaking her head. “It’s probably happened. Didn’t he date a model last year?”

Autumn nods. “Stella somebody. Said she was having some publicity problems. But I bet they were doing the horizontal tango.”

They start gossiping about West’s dating life, and I sip my coffee slowly, trying not to listen. But my stomach feels tight and my face is way too warm. It’s stupid, because West has always dated beautiful women. And yeah, there are rumors that sometimes he dates – consensually – more than one woman at a time.

“Remember that heiress?” Autumn says. “The one who had those huge boobs?”

“Anna Grace. Yeah, she was awful.” Francie nods. “Didn’t she try to run over your foot that time she came to visit?” she asks Autumn.

I grit my teeth. I think I remember Anna from a few years ago when I visited. Perfect lipstick, designer wardrobe, and a voice that sounded like nails on a chalkboard.

“I used to think Hudson was highly sexed,” Skyler says, shaking her head. “Until I met West.”

Both Autumn and I grimace at the same time. Nobody wants to hear that description of their brother.

Francie glances at me with sympathy. “You know, if he does bring women back, you can always come stay with Asher and me.”

“And listen tothemhaving sex instead,” Skyler says, deadpan.

“Can we talk about something other than sex?” I suggest, glancing at Milo, who’s snoring softly in his mom’s lap. “I don’t want my nephew being corrupted by dirty talk.”

Skyler laughs, just as the bar door opens with a cheerful jingle.

Hudson steps inside first, tall and broad and grinning at the sight of us. “Looks like trouble found its way to one table,” he says, walking over with a diaper bag slung over his shoulder. He kisses Skyler and Milo, then looks at me with crinkles in his eyes. “Welcome home, kid,” he says softly, kissing my brow.

My throat tightens. Hudson has always been like a father to me. More than our own ever was. “It’s good to see you.” I hug him tightly.

Autumn lights up. “Hey! Did you bring some of those muffins from your meeting at the resort?” she asks him.

I barely register his reply, because a second later, West walks in. And suddenly everything feels too warm. My cheeks start to heat, like everybody knows about our stupid situation.

He’s in one of his usual suits, shirt open at the collar, hair pushed back like he didn’t have time to care, and yet somehow still looks unfairly good. Like a man who has everything under control.

His gaze sweeps around the bar and lands on us.

On me.

And for one charged second, neither of us says a word.