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A knock at the door behind me lures my gaze in that direction.
“The gang’s all here,” I remark as I step aside to give Sean access to answer it. “Who else did you invite?”
“You’re welcome,” he quips as he brushes past me.
“I didn’t say thank you,” I point out.
“You will.” He smiles. “Consider this a mini Keene Duran family reunion.”
I close my eyes briefly, hoping to hell that it’s Joslyn on the other side of the door, but that hope is lost as soon as Sean opens it.
With a mop of messy brown hair on his head and his green eyes shining, my brother grins at both of us. “Good evening, gentlemen. Let the fun begin.”
“Who the hell is that?” Ryden glances past me.
Sean taps him on the back of the head. “My sister, you little asshole. Watch it.”
I glance over my shoulder to spot Ava standing next to Roxy.
“That’s your sister?” Ryden laughs. “Where have you been hiding her?”
“Out of your reach.” Sean again swats Ryden, but this time it’s a playful slap on the shoulder. “I thought you preferred brunettes.”
Ryden nods. “You’ve been following my socials, haven’t you?”
“Everyone follows your socials.” Sean chuckles. “Do me a favor and hug your big brother, so I know no punches will be flying tonight.”
Ryden moves next to me to give me a side hug. “I’ve never hit Harrison.”
He’s not lying. We’ve never come to physical blows, but we have said things to each other that we shouldn’t have.
“How are you?” he asks as he looks me over. “You’ve been working out, old man.”
“You’re five years younger than me, sprout.” I smile.
“Sprout?” He chuckles at the nickname one of his friends gave him when he was fourteen. He grew a couple of feet over the course of a summer. We’re eye-to-eye now, but our height is the only thing we have in common, other than our fierce love for our sisters.
“Jos couldn’t make it,” Ryden says to Sean and me. “She said she’s working on something that can’t wait.”
I know what that is. She’s been inspired to add a dessert offering to our meal kits, but I told her it’s too soon to jump into new territory.
Time will tell which one of us will win that battle.
“Go introduce yourself to anyone you don’t know.” Sean pushes Ryden’s shoulder. “Don’t touch my sister.”
Ryden skims a hand over the front of the gray T-shirt he’s wearing. He’s tanned and toned. He looks like the heartthrob he thinks he is.
“I’m on my best behavior.” He pats Sean’s back. “Thanks for inviting me. It feels good to be home.”
All I get is a smile tossed in my direction before he bolts across the room, headed straight toward Ava.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Ava
I somehow ended up sitting across the table from Harrison again. I’m not sure how that happened because I hurried around the table chasing little Roxy and her stuffed gecko as everyone took a seat.
I did that to lure another laugh out of her, but my purpose was two-fold as I was trying to avoid sitting next to Ryden Duran.
The larger-than-life NHL player may possess the biggest ego in the room, and the largest biceps.
The T-shirt he’s wearing does nothing to hide his muscles or his tattoos. If any of my friends were here, including Kerry, they’d be inviting him home with them.
As good-looking as he is, he’s not my type.
My type is currently sipping on a glass of wine while his gaze is pinned to my face.
I noticed Harry as soon as I exited the kitchen with his sister. He’s wearing a white button-down shirt, dark blue pants, and a brown leather belt. It’s a sexy look that speaks of sophistication. I have to wonder if there’s anything he can put on his body that doesn’t look spectacular.
I, on the other hand, thought this was a cozy family dinner for four, so I’m wearing a pair of faded, ripped jeans and a pink cardigan that I put on backward on purpose. There’s a snag in the front near the shoulder. When I noticed that, I buttoned it up, slid it over my head, and took a look in the mirror.
I liked what I saw, so I went with it.
“How’s off-season treating you, Ryden?” Graham Locke asks.
“Good,” Ryden answers. “I spent a few weeks in Mexico. I’m back to raise a little hell and do some good.”
Roxy, who is sitting next to Harry, waves a hand in the air. “I’m going to raise some of that with him. We’re going to the beach tomorrow to set off fireworks.”
“Like hell you are.” Harry shoots his brother a look. “No fireworks.”
“No fireworks?” Roxy tugs on Harry’s arm. “Why not?”
“Too dangerous,” Ryden answers with a bite of venom in his tone. “Harrison can jump off buildings and ride a dirt bike through the desert without a helmet, but I can’t set off a few fireworks.”
