Page 89
Lennon got a case of the giggles, and Monty glanced at him with an enquiring look. Lennon nodded in Hollis’s direction, and a burst of laughter got Hollis glancing at them, frowning. “What?”
Unable to resist, Lennon put down what he held to reach for his phone and quickly took a picture of Hollis, then walked around the table to show him, still laughing.
“Oh my days, I look like I’ve wiped poo on my glasses!” he exclaimed, loud enough to ensure everyone was looking and laughing. He jabbed a finger at Lennon. “Do not share that picture with anyone.”
“Do you mean Taylin?” He went with an innocent look. “Or the rest of the staff you work closely with, like Monica?”
“I-I…” Hollis spluttered, appearing at a loss for words.
“Why isn’t Monica with us?” Bowie was the first to ask.
Lane didn’t stop what he was doing when he replied, “She’s in England project managing the building of a new store that’s being built in London. The builder was being difficult, and Monica suggested she go and help with the organization.”
Lane sucked his lower lip between his teeth as he carefully scraped off the excess chocolate on the top of the mould back into his bowl. He released it with a pop and glanced around the table, continuing, “She had been feeling at a loose end since Derick retired.”
“I did wonder where she’d disappeared to,” Frey answered, stopping a second before he ran his brown covered hand through his blond, styled hair.
“We didn’t see a lot of her before Derick retired. I’m gonna confess I never noticed she’d gone.” Ziggy gave Lane a sheepish look. “I hadn’t really gotten to know her the same as you guys. As Derick’s PA, I should imagine she was much busier than us, so I’m not surprised she felt at a loose end.”
“That’s understandable, Ziggy. You’ve only been with us what, a year now?”
Ziggy shook his head at Lane. “Not quite, but nearly!”
“How can it be less than a year,” Lennon gawped, just like his friends.
“I know,” Ziggy laughed, wearing a smug grin. “I fit right into the madness.”
“What madness?” Bowie asked, frowning down at the mess in front of him. “Where’s my Daddy when I need him,” he muttered distractedly.
Monty snorted and nudged Lennon, nodding at Erin who wore a confused expression, staring at Bowie who clearly didn’t notice or realize what he’d said aloud. His cocktail glass was empty and revealed why his inhibitions were freer than normal.
“This madness,” Ziggy answered, placing a kiss on the top of Bowie’s head. “Do you want me to help you, Bowie?”
Back was the urge to cry as Lennon glanced around the table at his friends—at his family. The way they all were there for each other made them special. His gaze stopped on Wilder, and though he was smiling, there was a sadness in his eyes. Unrequited love was a bummer. Jupiter was a nitwit for not seeing how wonderful Wilder was and what he was missing out on.
Lennon made a promise to himself to talk to Isley about what to do to help when Wilder caught him staring. He gave Lennon a flirty wink and held up the chocolate he’d been moulding. Lennon snorted like a pig trying to hold back his laughter at the large phallic shaped chocolate.
“If I’m not getting the real peen, then I’m eating a chocolate one,” Wilder exclaimed, holding it up so everyone could see what he’d made. “Anyone want a bite of my peen?”
The room was fully silent for about two seconds before everyone roared with laughter.
“I will,” Frey called out, falling into Hollis who looked distinctly horrified and amused at the same time.
“You guys are the best Christmas present a girl could ask for,” Erin gasped through her laughter, her drink sloshing in the glass while she tried and failed to stand still.
Lennon couldn’t agree more.
Chapter Forty-Four
Kodi
“Are we ready for this?” Kari asked, slapping Kodi on the shoulder as they entered Ren’s, searching the crowd for their brothers.
Kari had picked Kodi up from his home, though none of them would be driving later. Lennon would be coming to pick up Kodi and Kari, as prearranged. “At least we won’t end up doing one of Jupiter’s crazy ideas.”
Kari aimed an incredulous look at Kodi. “You do know this is Jupiter and he’s always up for a challenge!”
“Please,” Kodi begged, “don’t tempt fate. I’ve got to get up early tomorrow.”
