“So you’ve got your interview tomorrow? Are you excited?” Shane's arm comes up on the back of his sofa as he relaxes into the cushions.
“Yeah, I really am. This is something I’ve always wanted. I know it’s a long shot, but they must have seen something they liked when they read my resume.”
“Oh, Harlow, they’d be lucky to have you! Are you going to come back here tomorrow night?”
“No, I’m going to go out for dinner and drinks with Hope, and then I’ll probably drive home. I’m going riding with Dad on Wednesday morning, then on Thursday I’ve got to deliver the horses to the set. And then on Friday—” I pause, blushing a little, and Shane’s eyebrows jump.
“What? What’s happening on Friday that has you blushing?” he pushes. Alex and Jace come back as he asks, so of course Alex jumps on it.
“You’re blushing? Oh, now Ineedto know what that’s about.” He collapses onto the sofa and yanks Jace down next to him. The man yelps, startled, but quickly rights himself, also looking eager to know what’s going on.
Crap, should have just kept my mouth shut. Nosy bastards.The last thought hits me with an unexpected bit of comfort, like a fuzzy blanket being wrapped around my shoulders. It’s nice having so many people care about me. “I’m flying to Hawaii with Kai for the weekend to check out a couple of athletes for his new team.” The words fly out of my mouth in a rush with the vain hope that we can just quickly move on from the subject.
There’s silence that’s broken by the sound of the intercom. “Mr. Silver, the food you ordered is on its way up,” a disembodied voice announces, filling the living room.Phew, saved by the bell, literally.Jumping to my feet, I grab my purse which I had laid on the coffee table and hurry over, opening the door to wait for the delivery guy.
I can hear a whispered conversation going on behind me that’s hard to miss. Rolling my eyes at their lack of discretion, I find it amusing how much they remind me of gossipy old women the minute my back is turned. Even Jace is putting in his two cents. It’s funny how he’s just slotted right into the friendship like he’s been with them for years.
I take the food and pay the young guy, giving him a decent tip before turning back to face the music. All three have stopped their little powwow and are looking at me, so I brace myself for what they’re about to say.
“Good for you! Kai is hot as hell, and you deserve some fun after the last couple of weeks,” Alex says to me, a smile on his face. I breathe a sigh of relief at the refreshing lack of drama.
Bringing the food over to the kitchen island, I start pulling out containers. The guys all join me, Shane grabbing plates for all of us and finding silverware too.
“Well, to be honest, all of them have been a lot less hostile over the last couple of days,” I admit quietly. “Except maybe Jacinta, but I haven't really seen her.”
Alex wraps his arms around me from behind and gives me a smacking kiss on the cheek. “I’m happy for you, honey. I’m sure your dad gave them a swift kick up the ass and they’ve all begun to realize how amazing you are.” He steps away and starts dishing up his food while Jace does the same, but Shane just looks at me, his eyes narrowed with tension.
“Are you still planning on revenge?” I shrug my shoulders, not wanting to tell them about my deal with Holden. Something about that arrangement feels too… personal to talk about right now, and I honestly don’t know if it’s going to be about revenge or maybe another way he can pay me back for letting his loyalty to his siblings hurt me.
“If an opportunity presents itself, maybe, but I have to admit that some of the immediate fiery anger might be calming down as I get some space from it all.”
“You’re not going to make them fall for you and then break their hearts, are you? That would be too brutal. I know that they hurt you, and they deserve to make that up to you, but I don't want you to use them and then wind up proving to them that they were right not to trust you.” The other two stop what they’re doing to listen to what I say.
“No, that’s just not the kind of person I am, and to be honest, if I let them get that close and then destroy them, I’m no better than my mother or any of the horrible people I’ve come across in my life. No, my plans of revenge have died a fast death, but I’m not trusting them instantly. They’ll still have to earn that. And who knows? Between Jacinta still hating me and them needing to work through their own issues, it might be more torturous for them to earn my good opinion than it would be for me to strike out at them.”
Shane nods, looking happier about the situation than he has in days, and we finish serving up our dinner. The rest of the evening is filled with good food and great company, and I’m grateful Nana pushed the idea of me bringing Jace here. I know he’ll be in good hands if I leave him with these guys.
Chapter Twenty
Harlow
The next morning, nerves flutter in my stomach as I get ready for my interview. Nana had made me choose something out of the Wardrobe at Neighpalm Couture, ordering my choice to immediately be steamed and delivered to Alex and Shane’s apartment. While I was hesitant to borrow something from the business, I have to admit that Nana didn’t steer me wrong; the black pants, navy blue top, and small pair of heels make me look professional and together. I’ve styled my long blonde hair into a low bun at the back of my neck, and a swipe of mascara and lip gloss completes the look.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I’m pleased with what I see. I could fit in at Neighpalm Industries looking like this. My stomach lurches at the thought. Looking like I could fit in at Neighpalm and actually having to spend my future there are very different things. I’ll take the borrowed outfit, but I’ll have to decline that path in my future. No, if I can’t get into a program, I’ll just return home and work for either myself or for Doc Davies. I want to achieve my dream of being a vet too badly to give it up for an easy alternate career path with Dad’s company.
Grabbing my backpack off the bed and the keys to the Vanquish, I head for the kitchen. I’m not sure if the guys are up this early, but I need coffee before I head out. When I went to bed last night, the three of them were still up talking and didn't look to be stopping any time soon.
The kitchen and living area is quiet when I get there, and I flick the switch on the coffee machine before opening the fridge to grab out the creamer. My stomach is rolling too much to eat, but I grab an apple to put in my bag for later just in case.
I’m halfway through my coffee when Shane wanders down the hallway. He’s shirtless, his hair is in disarray, and there’s a flush all over his torso. I don't think he’s noticed me, so I clear my throat and his head comes up. Raising an eyebrow, I smile, receiving a smirk in return. “Good evening?” I ask him, and a wicked smile crosses his face. Before he can answer, I hear a loud shout from the bedroom, followed by a moan.
My mouth drops open. If Shane's out here, then who was that? He winks at me before I can even ask the question. “You could say it was averygood evening.”
I’m momentarily speechless. “Jace and Alex?” I ask when I come to my senses. “And that doesn't bother you?”
“Why would it? I was in there until just now when I smelled the coffee and realized you were up.”
“Oh, okay.” He comes over to me, a whiff of musky sex hitting my nose, almost making me moan. God, it’s been too long since I got laid. He kisses me on the head, making sure I’m looking him in the eye before he says anything else.
