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Then he opened his door and stepped out of the car. While she was still reeling from the unexpected affection, he came around and opened her door. Shakily, she climbed out and they walked up the short path to his house.
Once inside, she heard boisterous laughter coming from another room. Luke took her hand as they entered the kitchen. The whole house was new and sleek, and the decor Spartan.
His family was hovered around the breakfast counter, eating an assortment of chips and veggies with dip.
She recognized the two men Luke’s age immediately. Flashbacks from that night swept in but left just as quickly. With the sun beaming in from the skylight, their casual summer clothing, and their cheerful expressions, they were like completely different people. Far from the dark, dangerous criminals she’d been remembering.
“Ophelia,” Luke said, pulling her forward. “This is my cousin Fox.” He pointed to the blond one with a long Mohawk and then to the taller one with the buzz cut. “And that’s Atlas.”
They shook her hand with wide smiles.
“It’s nice to meet you under more . . . pleasant circumstances,” Atlas said.
Fox nodded in agreement. “And this is my fiancée, Addison.” He slung his arm around the woman next to him.
Her blue eyes were bright in the sunlight and she grinned. “It’s nice to finally meet you.” With a mischievous look, she added, “Luke hasn’t shut up about you. We’ve all been curious.”
Ophelia’s cheeks heated.
“Hey,” Luke said, narrowing his eyes at Addison. “Don’t give away all my secrets.” He pointed to Fox. “Get your woman under control.”
Addison scoffed and Fox shrugged. “I like her a little out of control. Makes things more . . . interesting.” The two exchanged a heated look, and Ophelia got the feeling Luke’s cousin might be as kinky as he was.
“Get a room.” Atlas threw a crumpled dish towel at Fox.
Fox glared at his brother. “Like that would be better. You know how loud she is.”
“Shut up!” Addison swatted Fox’s arm, which earned her a growl.
Ophelia found herself grinning. When was the last time she’d been around family teasing each other and having fun?
“You hungry?” Addison asked her. “Fox makes the best fresh salsa. Not too spicy either.” She pushed the bowl toward her.
Ophelia looked at Luke and he put a hand on her back and gently guided her to a stool at the counter.
“We should sit outside,” Atlas muttered.
Addison shook her head. “It’s too fucking hot.” After grabbing a chip and scooping some salsa she added, “Let’s go in the pool after we eat though.” Then she looked at Ophelia. “Did you bring a suit?”
Ophelia tossed Luke an irritated look. “He didn’t tell me I’d need one.”
“I’ll loan you some clothes if you get wet.” Addison shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal.
“Really?”
“Sure. Why not?” She smiled at Ophelia. “If you’re gonna hang around here a lot, we might as well get to know each other.”
What exactly had Luke told them? Guilt filled her. Apparently she hadn’t made it clear enough that accepting the invitation to dinner didn’t mean their relationship was a done deal.
Luke cleared his throat and shook his head slightly at Addison. She rolled her eyes. Ophelia could tell Addison was easy to like. She felt like she belonged already. The fact that they seemed to know more about her than she knew about them was a little unnerving, but at least they liked her. Or pretended to, anyway.
“So I heard your road trip was awesome,” Fox said, drawing her attention. “Maybe Addison and I will take a trip out there sometime.”
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bsp; “It’s beautiful.” Ophelia glanced at Luke. It still felt like their special place. Something private and wonderful that nothing bad in her life could ever touch or change. “I’d love to go back too.”
“Luke showed us pictures of the park,” Addison said. “I—” Her phone beeped and she cut off to look down at it. “Shit.”
