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Eight
Hallie parked her sensible used car in the driveway of Cash’s mansion. Presley’s freshly washed Jeep was on proud display and sparkling in the sunshine, a bucket of soapy water and a hose sitting in a puddle next to it.
Presley had invited Hallie and Cassandra over for pizza and a movie since Cash was going out with Luke and Gavin tonight. Judging by the lack of cars in the driveway, Hallie must’ve arrived first. No sooner had the thought occurred than a black truck pulled in behind her. Luke had one hand on the wheel and the other on Cassandra’s neck. He leaned in and kissed her, and Hallie spun around to give them privacy, turning only when she heard a truck door open and close.
The other woman was cradling two bottles of wine, a stylish bag slung over one shoulder. She was beautiful on any day but looked particularly attractive today with her dark hair pinned back and wearing a ruffly coral-colored dress. Hallie glanced down at her own jeans and black top and instantly felt underdressed.
Until Cassandra said, “I love a scoop neck on you.” She pulled Hallie into a quick hug and handed her one of the wine bottles.
“I love your dress,” Hallie returned.
“Thanks! It was just something I threw on.” On top of being beautiful, put together and humble, Cassandra was an amazingly talented event planner. She’d pulled off Hannah and Will’s wedding without a hitch. Or maybe with a hitch was the right phrase. Hannah was now officially a Sutherland, though she retained the Banks name for celebrity reasons.
Cassandra blew an air-kiss to her fiancé. Luke waved, a smile on his scruffy face as he pulled out of the driveway, presumably to go meet his brothers.
Hallie raised her hand to knock, but Cassandra twisted the doorknob. “No need to be formal, she is expecting us.”
In the foyer of Cash’s, and now Presley’s, immaculate home, Hallie released a deep breath. It had been a long, strange week. She was ready to relax.
“We are here and we are ready to party!” Cassandra belted out.
Presley was standing in front of the kitchen island—dressed in jeans, thank goodness. She rushed to take the wine bottles. “Perfect! I didn’t mean to take the wine before I hug you, but I need a glass after the week I’ve had.”
“Ditto,” Hallie agreed.
After wine was poured and hugs were given, they moved to the living room and lounged on the leather couches flanking a tall, stone fireplace. In late autumn, temperatures often dipped into the fifties or cooler, so there was a good chance they would build a fire tonight.
Midway through her first glass of wine, Presley launched into a story about work. As a journalist for Viral Pop, she knew all the entertainment gossip. Just this past summer, her article about Cash had not only landed her a decent raise, but also allowed her to work anywhere in the world. Handy, given she would accompany Cash wherever he toured.
“So anyway,” Pres continued, pouring another splash of wine into her glass. “They loved my idea but only after I reminded them that my last article was mentioned by at least three different late-show hosts.” Everyone raised their glasses in congratulations. She waved a hand. “Enough about me. How have your weeks gone?”
“I have a wedding coming up next month, and even though the bride is picky beyond belief, I’ve enjoyed planning it. I like a challenge.”
“Honey, Luke is proof you love a challenge.” Presley tapped her wineglass with Cassandra’s and they both laughed.
“What about you, Hallie? Anything new?” Cassandra asked.
Hallie opened her mouth to answer, but Presley beat her to it.
“Oh, nothing is new with Hallie at all. Except she asked Gavin to help her loosen up and have some fun. Her first rule-breaking excursion happened after I pretended I couldn’t drive her home and sent her off with him instead.” She batted her eyelashes at Hallie. “Sorry, not sorry. And, by the way, you never told me what happened.”
Cassandra turned her full attention to Hallie, as well. “I, too, am interested in finding out what happened.”
“We went to a dealership to trade in his truck, and then we test-drove a car. That was it.” Hallie drank some wine, praying no one would pry. A pipe dream in this group.
“That is not all.” Pres narrowed her eyes. Which meant she knew something. But what? It was hard to say. She lived with Cash, and Cash and Gavin hung out often. Hallie supposed Gavin could have mentioned their off-roading excursion. But would he have mentioned the spontaneous kiss she’d planted on him?
“He asked me to drive this really expensive sports car,” Hallie admitted.
Presley and Cassandra grinned at each other and then spoke in tandem. “And?”
“And... He said my first rule to break was to drive over the speed limit. It wasn’t a big deal,” she said with a nervous laugh. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention, even in a crowd of two. She’d admit it was slightly thrilling to have her friends hanging on her every word. “I drove maybe seven or eight miles an hour over.”
“Oh. That’s...good.” Cassandra’s smile was almost disappointed.
Well, far be it from Hallie to let down her girls. They wanted something juicier? She had just the thing.
“I stopped the car at the end of a dirt road and then...” she started, pleased when Cassandra and Presley both leaned forward in their seats. “I grabbed his face and...sort of kissed him?”
