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My cheeks flush. The last time Eli modelled for me, I didn’t get a whole lot of work done. He insisted on me painting him nude. It was pretty distracting.
My parents still look worried. I give them my most convincing smile. “I’m okay, Mum, Dad. Really. I’m happier now than I’ve been in years. I think—maybe ever.”
Dad shakes his head. “We can discuss this back at home,” he says flatly. “Come on. If we hurry, we can catch the fast train.”
I take a step back. “I’m not going home with you, Dad.”
His frown deepens. “Don’t be silly. You flew all this way; the least you can do is stay with us. Maybe then we can talk some sense into you.”
I shake my head. “I’m sorry. I can’t. I promised I’d show the boys around Brighton before we fly back. We’ve already booked a hotel room.”
“Of course,” he mutters, wiping his forehead. “Just one room for the four of you.”
“We had to get the honeymoon suite,” Eli informs him. “It’s the only one with a big enough bed.”
I kick him in the ankle. “I’ll come back sometime soon,” I promise. “Just to visit, though. I’ve found my own home, now.”
My mum blinks back tears. “We’re not going to change your mind, are we, sweetheart?”
I shake my head. “If we could move past the arguing and straight to the accepting, that would save us a lot of time,” I say hopefully.
She laughs tearfully. “You always were so stubborn.” She looks over my shoulder, giving all three men a stern look. “You take care of her up there, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Riven says. Cole and Eli both nod.
“Alright, then.” She wipes off her cheeks. “We ought to get going if we’re going to catch the train, Harry.”
“But—”
“Leave her. She’s an adult. She gets to make her own decisions. I think after the last few months, we owe her some trust.” She steps forward and squeezes me in a big hug. “He’ll come around,” she whispers. “He’s just shocked. He never liked when you brought a boy home. I think three is a bit much for him to handle.”
I nod. I know my dad just needs time. She steps aside, and he takes her place. We watch each other for a moment. I set my jaw, preparing for him to start arguing again.
Instead, he bends and tugs me into a rough hug. “You sure you can’t come home with us?” He mutters in my ear.
“Nope. Sorry. We’ve got plans.”
He sighs. “Okay.” He pushes back, holding me at arm’s length. “Call us tonight, okay? When you get back in.”
I nod, and he presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’m very proud of you, Jennifer. You’ve been very strong.”
My mum tugs as his sleeve, and he turns to go. I watch them push out of the big glass doors of the courthouse, feeling my heart swell in my chest. They made a mistake—a bad one—but they do still love me. I believe that. And that’s enough for me. The doors swing shut behind them, leaving me with my three mountain men in the middle of the atrium.
“Great.” Eli claps his hands together. “Can we please get out of here? All these lawyers are making me antsy. And Tink looksreallyhot in her court clothes.”
We spend the rest of the day in Brighton, wandering around my hometown. I show them all the spots I went to when I was a kid. My old school, the arcade, the quaint little shops by the sea. When dinner rolls around, I introduce them to fish and chips. I have never seen Cole eat so much, so fast. After food, we head down the pier and onto the beach, stopping to get ninety-nines from an ice cream van. The sun is setting over the sea, reflecting off the gentle waves in gold and orange flashes. The air is warm and breezy. The guys all lose their suit jackets and roll up their shirt sleeves, and I kick off my heels, squidging my toes in the sand. Riven and Cole take my hands as we meander through the small clusters of people laying out on towels.
“I haven’t had ice cream inages,” Eli practically moans. “It’s too fucking cold back home.” I pop up on my tiptoes to lick the sauce dribbling down the side of the cone. Then I lick a smudge off his bottom lip. He smiles, nuzzling into me. “Do legal matters make you horny, babe? You can barely keep your hands off us. Understandable, in my case, but I don’t know about those two.”
I run my palm up Riven’s chest, feeling the muscle under the well-tailored shirt. “You all look so hot in your suits. I can’t handle it.” I tweak Riv’s collar, and he catches my hand, brushing his lips over my knuckles.
“Those people are staring,” Cole warns, and Riven freezes.
I look up and follow his gaze to see a couple staring at us, whispering to each other. As I watch, the girl points at me, giving her boyfriend a nudge.
All three men automatically move to stand in front of me. This still happens pretty often when I’m out in public. People will recognise me from the video. I hate it. I hate having people looking at me, judging me, mentally undressing me.
I’m pretty sure that’s not why this couple is staring, though. It probably has more to do with me snuggling up against three different men. I wait for the pang of nerves and embarrassment to hit me, but instead, there’s nothing. Just the warm glow of happiness in my chest, and the sweetness of vanilla ice cream in my mouth.
