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“Oh, thank you,” I croak and power the window back up.That’s odd.I know I’m nervous, but I did not give him my last name.
“Okay.” I swallow and ease my car up the driveway, only to be greeted by a mansion. Like a real Beverly Hills mansion. When Raven called me this morning asking if I’d like to hang out and maybe go shopping, I jumped at the chance. I mean, I have no friends now that Jordan is showing his true colors, and after yesterday with Brett in his office… I shake my head. I can’t even think about that. At this point, I’m getting dangerously close to throwing away all my hard work and dreams of attending CAU and transferring to UCLA. If I did that, Brett and I could be together. But just because I’m obsessed with him doesn’t mean he feels the same way. I know he wants me, and sometimes I catch him looking at me in a way that leaves me breathless. But as far as us actually talking about where, and if, this is going anywhere… yeah, neither of us has gotten that far.
I put my car in park and bring the visor down to look at myself. I have no money to be doing any of this, but I can tag along with Raven while she shops. I’m wearing more makeup than usual because Raven is drop-dead gorgeous, and I guess I’m trying to pretend I fit in. I take another calming breath, then exhale and slap the visor up, pull my ponytail tighter, and swing my door open.
God, why am I so nervous?I shake my head, as if that can get rid of this feeling of dread. Grabbing my oversized black leather satchel, I lower my large Chanel sunglasses and pull down my short black dress before I take the stairs.
Brett wasn’t kidding when he said his brother was rich. This place is unreal. My eyes take in the massive property. It’s like it should be on the cover ofArchitectural Digestor something; it’s that impressive. After walking up the stairs, I’m greeted by a massive pot of flowers next to the door. I ring the doorbell.
The door opens to a stunning Raven, dressed in cute black dress slacks, heels, and a black spaghetti strap top. “Hey,” she says.
My first thought is how will we shop with her in those heels?
“I love your bag.” She gives me a hug. “Come in. I’m ready. I just need to tell Jett I’m leaving. Not gonna lie. I’m thrilled to be getting out. Last night was ridiculous.” She rolls her eyes and motions for me to follow.
I look around. It’s an open-floor plan with pale-yellow walls and giant windows, large glass French doors along with a whitewashed brick wall and an ornate fireplace and mantel.
“My bestie was supposed to fly in today, but had a business emergency to deal with, so she canceled.”
I follow, wishing I knew Raven better and could stop her to look at all the art hanging on the walls.Is that a Jackson Pollock?
“I’m thrilled you called. With school and… everything, I haven’t really gotten out of Malibu and Santa Monica yet.”
She turns, waiting for me to catch up before we step out into a backyard that should make me speechless with its desert rocks, succulents, and drought-resistant flowers. There’s a huge outdoor kitchen and bar built to my left by the pool, along with what looks like hundreds of tiny bistro lights hanging over it, several cabana-style couches, a long table filled with a platter of fresh-cut fruit, bacon and eggs, and what looks like a large pitcher of Bloody Marys.
“Okay, you two, be good. I’m off to go shopping.” Raven glides over to Jett, leaning down to kiss him as he looks up from his phone and smiles at her, then stops.
My eyes dart over to the man sitting next to him.
“The fuck?” Brett and Jett say at the same time, and if this wasn’t happening to me, I’d laugh at their shocked faces.
“God, language.” Raven kisses Jett as he grabs her wrist when she goes to move away.
“What are you doing?” he hisses, and I want to be anywhere but here.
No wonder I was so nervous.
“Yes, what is going on?” Brett stands, and suddenly, I can’t breathe because as usual, he doesn’t look happy to see me. My heart is in my throat as my eyes take in his appearance, which pretty much screamsrough night. He’s still in black dress slacks, his white dress shirt hanging open like he just threw it on to come outside. My eyes travel down to his tan eight-pack, then up to his bloodshot blue eyes and bedhead hair, which looks like he’s been running his hands through it.
“What? I’m going shopping with Alex.” She smiles and tugs at her wrist.
“Raven.” Jett sighs and looks at Brett, who hasn’t moved, minus the tic under his right eye.
“That… this”—he lets go of her wrist, and she puts her hands on her hips—“is not a good idea,” he says, reaching for his Bloody Mary.
“Really? Why not?” She stares down at him, then over at Brett, whose gaze hasn’t left mine.
“Let them go, Jett.” Brett sits in the chair, leaning his head back on the cushion.
Raven smiles. “Thank you, Brett. Not sure why we need permission from you two, but thanks.” Her sassy tone makes me stifle a grin.
Eyes closed, Brett snorts, and Jett stares at her, his lips inching their way into a smile.
“Fine. Iain will take you.” He grabs his phone as she leans down to whisper something in his ear, then kisses him, and that pang of jealousy flows over me again. They are so in love it kind of takes the air out of me.
“All right, we’re off.” She kind of sings it, grabbing my hand.
“Alexandrea?” Brett’s deep voice stops us both, and I turn.
