Page 69 of Sweet Redemption

Olivia

Like Kaleigh from Hopeless Romantics?

Serena

Yup. She’s temping in Teagan’s department.

Olivia

Answer the door and tell me who it is.

Serena

Goodbye, Olivia.

I tuck the phone into the pocket of my hoodie and look through the peephole.

Why couldn’t it be Kaleigh?

HENDRIX

Women don’t want the life of the party.

They want the guy who makes sure they get home safe from the party.

Remember that, boys.

—Declan Sinclair’s advice to his sons

“Ican see your shadow, Serena. I know you’re in there.”

“Dude, that’s called stalking,” my brother laughs as he opens his door next to mine, a cup of coffee in hand. “Friends don’t like stalkers.”

Friends.

Of course Nixon still thinks we’re friends. He doesn’t know better.

I never told him otherwise.

“Go away, Hendrix,” she calls back without opening the door.

But that’s not gonna work for me. “Come on, princess,” I say lower this time. “People are listening.”

That gets her attention, and the beautiful blonde cracks the door open. “That sounds like a you problem.”

Her words are clipped, but her tone is soft.

“Not sure it is,” I point out as I slide a hand around the door. “Just give me five minutes. Please.”

I’m not a man used to begging for anything. But for this woman . . . if it helps her understand . . . if it helps earn her forgiveness . . . There are few things I wouldn’t do for Serena Kingston. And our conversation at Ryker’s wedding was only the starting point.

“I meant what I said, Serena. This isn’t over.”

Those turquoise eyes, the color of the ocean at the Jersey shore, harden, but she pushes the door open and steps aside. “Five minutes, Hendrix.” She touches the smart watch on her wrist and lifts a perfectly arched brow. “Time’s ticking, Sinclair.”

Fucking hell.

A Revolution hoodie engulfs her frame, hitting mid-thigh. Mid-bare-thigh to be exact.