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He grinned at her. “We can’t have the birthday girl late for her party, can we?”
“No, we can’t.” She returned his smile. “So, get your butt in gear, Boone Jameson.”
* * *
“I have never seen someone more in love in my life.” Shay draped her arm over Hedra’s shoulders.
Hedra tore her gaze from Boone with difficulty. “I’m not in love, Shay.”
Shay raised one perfect eyebrow before pointing her chin to the left. “I wasn’t talking about you, babe.”
Hedra followed her gaze. Ryan’s dog, a German Shepherd named Sam, was stretched out on a large dog bed in front of the fireplace. Alfie, his blue scarf still tied around his neck, sat between Sam’s front legs and stared adoringly at him. As they watched, he stood on his hind legs and licked Sam’s face.
“Adorable,” Shay said with a grin before nudging Hedra. “I do like that you assumed I was talking about you, though.”
“I… no, I didn’t,” Hedra said.
Shay laughed and sipped at her wine. “You’re a shit liar, Hedra.”
“I know,” Hedra said.
“Besides, I already knew you were in love with Boone. Knew it the night he picked your drunk ass up from my house.”
“Shay, sweetheart, could you talk a little louder?” Hedra asked. “I’m pretty sure not everyone in the room heard you.”
Shay laughed again. “Babe, three-quarters of the room are shifters. They’d hear me even if I whispered.”
Hedra sighed, and Shay squeezed her. “Don’t worry about it. They’re all too busy having fun to eavesdrop on our conversation.”
Hedra studied the massive room. Ryan’s grandmother lived in a literal mansion, and the room they were currently in was bigger than Hedra’s old apartment. Expensive pink and silver birthday decorations adorned the room, and tuxedo-clad servers circled with trays of appetizers and booze. According to Shay, Ryan had paid for the entire party.
With the exception of Boone and Chase, the Shadow Security team was gathered in a corner of the room, drinking, eating, and laughing as Wes’s mate Eleanor gestured wildly and finished her story before slinging her arm around Wes’s waist. He stared down at her with an adoration that made Hedra’s chest ache.
Hedra’s gaze slipped to Boone. He stood with her brothers, and desire, amusement, and a deep longing washed over her in a confusing mix that made her a little shaky. Despite the rough start yesterday at Boone’s house, it was apparent now that Boone and her brothers were rapidly becoming besties, and Boone had charmed even Everett, the most reserved of her brothers.
Her sister’s laughter made Hedra smile. Nora sat on the couch with Chase, Althea, and Jerry, and she grinned at Althea when the tiger shifter poked Chase in the chest and said something that made him blush bright red.
“I can’t believe I’m having a birthday party at Beverly Shepherd’s mansion,” Hedra said. “I’m friends with Ryan Shepherd, Shay.”
Shay grinned and pointed to the two huge bouquets on the fireplace mantel. “Don’t forget that you also got flowers from Abena Nkosi and Karena Potter.”
Hedra shook her head. “I don’t even know how they knew it was my birthday. Boone said he didn’t tell either of them.”
“Oh, the two of them are thick as thieves with Ryan’s grandmother, Beverly,” Shay said. “They did a couple of movies together when they were younger. Ryan said Beverly had drinks with them a few days ago and must have mentioned she was giving up the mansion for your birthday party tonight.”
Hedra shook her head. “This small world shit is blowing my mind.”
Shay laughed. “The adage of everyone knows everyone in Hollywood is true.”
“Is Beverly here tonight and just hiding in her giant mansion?” Hedra asked.
Shay shook her head. “No, she’s out of town visiting Ryan’s mother in rehab.”
“Ryan’s mother is an alcoholic?” Hedra asked. “Or is it drugs?”
“Alcohol,” Shay said.
“It sure has been kept hush-hush with the paparazzi,” Hedra said.
