Saint’s Koenigsegg Jesko, which he imported via airfreight, is first to roll in. Lincoln’s Bugatti EB110 is next. Stefan pulls up in a vintage Chevy C/K pickup truck, clearly a rental. The next car is a vintage Lamborghini Miura. Mia climbs out of the passenger seat a second before Prince steps out.
Wow. Okay. I didnotexpect them to come together.
Ren, Kenji, and Shelby arrive together in Shelbs’s Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Flynn and Bea are last to arrive in an Aspark Owl.
Alaric clocks the super rare electric car right away and leans in close, his words quiet but giddy. “I’ve never seen an Owl in person.”
“Go check it out. I’ve got this.” I take the tongs out of his hands and click them together, affection and amusement overwhelming me as he makes his way over to welcome our guests and admire Flynn’s car.
Saint and Lincoln pass him, headed my way, each greeting me with a one-armed hug.
Lincoln puffs out his cheeks and rocks back on his heels, surveying our surroundings.
“It’s weird, right? Being at Luca’s dad’s house?” he asks. “I mean, I’ve seen the guy around before. I remember him from the old days. And he’s definitely doing incredible things with Granata this season?—”
“Lincoln.”
He snaps his mouth shut, his cheeks pinking.
“I invited you for a barbecue atmystudio,” I tell him. “Yes, this is also my partner’s house, but if you keep thinking of him as Luca’sdad, it’s going to be awkward for all of us.”
He nods aggressively, like he’s still trying to convince himself.
“Drinks are in the cooler,” I tell him, pointing the tongs at the beverage station.
Saint snickers as Lincoln walks away, then whistles low. “Looks like you upgraded,” he tells me, glancing over to where Alaric is chatting with Flynn and Shelby.
I elbow him in the side but wince when I come into contact with his rock-solid abs.
He’s not wrong, though. The man in the driveway chatting with my friends has supported me in ways I never knew I needed. Without a doubt, life is better with Alaric by my side. I definitely upgraded.
We set up a long table in my studio so we could all sit together, and Alaric insisted on making everything from scratch, treating us to ribs, pulled chicken, baked beans, mac and cheese, and cornbread.
When we’re finished, he and I clear plates into a big tub to take into the house.
“So what’s the arrangement here, Ev?” Kenji asks loud enough for the whole group to hear. “Do you pay rent for this space?”
Ren elbows him in the side, but I just roll my eyes.
Alaric wraps one arm around my shoulders. “I’m more of a silent partner,” he says, seemingly unbothered by the question.
Saint snickers, which earnshiman elbow to the ribs from Bea.
At this rate, everyone’s going to leave here with bruised torsos.
“Do you know much about A-Tizket A-Tasket?” Alaric asks coolly.
Before any of my friends can respond, he launches into what could seriously be a pitch to investors.
“Evangeline brings in five figures a month through subscriptions alone,” he says. “She serves customers in fourteen countries, and her live streams average sixty-five thousand views. You should see her in action. She’s brilliant.”
The table falls silent.
I can’t help but wag my eyebrows at Saint.
Take that, Lavoy.
Mia reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Evan is brilliant. And now she’s finally with someone who sees and appreciates her completely.”
