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"Get out of here!" Amber squealed, sticking out her tongue at Ryder.
"What the fuck!!! I'm going to hide their champagne bottle." Daniel hollered, laughing.
I grabbed the guys and turned them around, shutting the door to the kitchen. "Let's leave them to their fun... or their attempt at culinary excellence… whatever it is."
"I'm glad I don't have to clean up that mess," Brad mumbled.
"Oh, you just wait… I can't wait to see your turn at bat…if anyone will have you…."
“Go to hell!” Brad teased.
The door to the home theater swung open not long after, and the gals sashayed in. Ariel was carrying a pumpkin pie heaped up with whipped cream. The other two were holding plates and forks. "We thought you might be ready for some dessert," Ariel announced with a wink.
Ryder grabbed Amber, pulling her into his lap, "Here's my dessert, and I have an idea what to do with the whipped cream!"
"Shushhhhh…" Amber hissed, swatting her husband's arm.
By the time the game ended, the pie was gone, whipped cream and all. And Chase was busy switching channels, searching for the Rose Bowl Game when Daniel's phone buzzed. Pulling it out of his pocket, Daniel frowned. "It's Carter!"
"What the hell is he doing calling on New Year's Day?" Ryder wondered out loud.
"Gotta be something important! Put it on speaker." I said.
"Hey, Carter. What's up?" Daniel answered.
"Got some good news." Carter's voice was tight. "We have evidence that Chelsea Franken crossed at the Washington State border. She’s disappeared into Canada, though. But we are on it. Guy, how's your sister? Anything new there?"
"She still doesn't remember a thing," I said. "We're still not taking any chances until this case is wrapped up…”
Daniel ended the call, and we all turned our attention to the games. But I don't think any of us could've given an accurate score if asked; Carter's report had caught us all off-guard, myself included. So, finally, I stood and told Chase and the others, "We've been up for 36 hours straight now—I know I'm feeling jet lagged. Ariel must be too."
Before I could say any more, the guys were collecting their dirty dishes and heading to the kitchen. Soon, Ariel and I hugged everyone and wished them a final "Happy New Year" as they filed out the front door.
It was at that point I made a major decision. I would tell Ariel the news about Chelsea in the morning. So, I held my breath and said, "Let me show you around upstairs." She nodded, and the next thing I knew, she was snuggled against me in my massive California King bed, lightly snoring.
"Welcome home, sweetheart," I whispered, turning off the bedside lamp.
Chapter Twenty-Three
It was late morning, judging by the sunbeam that shone through the window. Gently, I kissed Guy on the cheek, but he didn't wake up. His steady breathing told me he was still in a deep sleep--no surprise there. We were exhausted from our flight and yesterday's New Year's party. Carefully, I eased out of bed and over to his closet. After pulling on one of Guy's sports jerseys and sweatpants, I made my way to the kitchen for coffee. At the bottom of the stairs, I jumped when a security guard with dark hair pulled into a ponytail introduced herself as Rachel.
"Good morning," she said brightly, extending her hand. "This is my first day working here."
"Nice to meet you," I said, shaking her hand. "I'm Ariel."
"I know who you are." She smiled. "Mr. Jackson assigned me to you as your bodyguard."
I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yes, ma'am. Don't worry, I'm very discreet."
"Oh!” I drew in a long breath to steady myself and pointed at a grand piano. Then, a bit confused, I asked Rachel, "Has that always been there? I mean, I don't remember seeing it yesterday."
"I began my shift at six this morning," she chuckled, "and it was there."
I could feel the pink racing to my cheeks. "I guess I must have missed it last night." My fingers barely grazed the keyboard as I lifted the cover. The moment they touched the keys, I began playing Fur Elise, a song from long ago that I had memorized. Suddenly, I was lost in the music, my body swaying to the melody. When I came to, Guy was watching me with a surprised expression on his face. "That was beautiful," he said quietly.
I blushed, feeling embarrassed. "Thanks." I closed the piano lid and kissed his cheek. "Good morning, sleepy head."
