Thomas simply shrugs again, letting out a deep breath when I stare at him, waiting for a response that uses actual words. “I asked them outright, and they were happy to answer my questions and provide their whereabouts for the occasions. Look, Harlow, it would have been negligent of me not to look into any new people in your life here in LA. Plus, they’re a part of Jacinta’s life too—or they will be. I can’t let my sister spend time with people who could be psychotic.”
After receiving a ridiculous amount of text messages from Alex accusing me of being a bad friend, I’d finally given in and FaceTimed them. There was no avoiding the bump on my head, so I explained what had happened while I was away. There was plenty of teasing about what went on between me, Jaxon, and Kai, and possibly some teasing back on my parts about a certain not-so-icy queen wanting to get in the middle of them, but neither of them mentioned being a part of the Summers Inquisition.
“Harlow?” Must have gotten lost in my thoughts since Thomas looks like this isn’t the first time he said my name.
“Yeah, you’re right. It would have been silly not to at least make some inquiries. I’m glad that they were cleared. Listen, maybe it would be easier if I asked them to meet me for lunch at the office. We can have it in the garden like when Dad had lunch with me.”
Thomas looks impressed with my maturity, but Holden has a small frown on his face like he’s wondering what I’m up to. I mean, he’s not wrong. If Iaccidentallydouble book with Jacinta as well, and the four of us, and I guess Thomas if he’s now my shadow, have lunch together... Well, wouldn't that be something?
“That works. Holden’s doctor and PT are coming to the office as well. We’ll drive into the city, and you guys will have your meeting with Holden’s band. While you’re having lunch with your friends, Holden can have his PT. We can head home with everyone in the heli tonight, maybe push for everyone to have an early finish since it’s Friday.” As he lays all this out, he begins cleaning up because he apparently has to be efficient at all times. I can’t say that I mind a man who’s willing to do the dirty work, but it’s also another hint that Thomas has some serious relaxation issues.
“Oh yeah. What about a game night?” Holden asks. “We haven't had a family game night in ages! I’ll send everyone a message about it so they can start getting ready to lose.”
“Game night?” I ask, and Thomas snorts.
“More like Battle Royale,” he says sarcastically, but Holden’s shaking his head.
“No, Harlow, it’s awesome. Sometimes it’s poker, or pictionary, or even Cards Against Humanity. We have drinks and snacks; it’s a blast.”
“Be prepared,” Thomas warns me, raising his voice a bit to be heard over the running sink. “Nobody cheats and lies at games as well as the Summers.”
I chuckle as I jump up. “Here, let me do that. You cooked, after all, and I’m sure you’ve got to get ready. And don't be so sure you Summers will have it in the bag. The Bostons are no slouches in the cheating and lying department either.” It’s nice to be able to joke around with them. God knows I never would have gotten away with a comment like that when we first met.
“Thanks, but don’t say I didn't warn you. You guys have half an hour, and then we need to go if we’re making that meeting on time,” Thomas tells Holden before backing away and waving a vague goodbye as he hurries out of the kitchen.
Holden’s phone starts to ping as I quickly finish the rest of the dishes. “Aw, Nana and Poppy are out. They have some charity function tonight and won’t be home, but Dad’s in, and he’s inviting Emma and her girlfriend.” He looks up at me, then down at his sling, a calculating glint entering his eyes. “Might need you to sit on my lap and help me. Ya know, since I’m so damaged and all.”
I empty the water into the sink and wipe down the counter before grabbing his empty plate and putting it in the dishwasher as well.
“Fat chance. It’s every man and woman for themselves.” Regardless, I walk over to him, stepping in between his legs when he opens them to make room for me. “Maybe I need you at my feet, taking care of my every desire.”
I wrap my arms around his neck, minding his sore shoulder. Our relationship has just gotten better this week, and the thought of having him at my feet makes my panties damp. I kiss him, putting in all my pent-up desire, until we’re both breathing heavily when we pull apart.
“There would be no place I’d rather be than at your feet or between your thighs, but Dad being there might make that a little awkward.”
I step away and pull him up as I go. “Yeah, that’s certainly one way to cool the desire.”
We both head back upstairs to shower and change. “Holden, what do I need to wear to this meeting? I mean, is it formal?” My mind runs through what clothes I have left over from my trip to Hawaii. When I had ordered clothes from Amazon, I hadn't thought about ordering office-appropriate attire. Hopefully, one of the dresses that I picked out will do because apart from that, all I have is casual shorts and tops. I’ve been living in the guys’ sweats all week like a bit of a slob, and I’m pretty sure no matter how casual Holden thinks it is, that really won’t cut it.
“Wear what you’re comfortable in. A nice pair of jeans and a top or one of those dresses like you were wearing last week.”
“What is this meeting about?” I ask just as we get to his room.
He blows out a sigh of breath. “One of my bands is on the verge of collapse, and this is a crisis talk to see if we can figure out how we can go ahead.” He just sounds tired when he talks about it; there’s none of that energy or enthusiasm that I’ve seen before when he talks about music. “I really don't know where we go from here if we can’t come to some kind of resolution. We may have to drop them altogether, which I don't want to do because I really like them. They’re the band that won the first season of Dec’s reality showAmerican Superstar,and they’ve been a huge hit for us.”
“Which band is it?” I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me. I remember the show, but I don't think I caught more than one or two audition episodes.
“Ninja Starfish,” he replies, and I just about swallow my tongue. Holy crap, they arehuge, with a legion of fans. They were the next boy band that came along not long after One Direction went their separate ways. Could the same thing be happening to them?
I shake off the sudden nerves at meeting such a huge band. I mean, I met Cayden Storm and Jarred Reed last week, so this can’t be too hard. I’ll sit in the background and listen in.
“Are we going to be the only ones in the meeting?” I gesture between the two of us, and he shakes his head.
“No, Hope will be joining us and a couple of our legal and publicity team members.”Awesome. That’ll make my plan to camouflage with the wall even easier.
“Do you need help getting dressed?” I ask him, and his worried face relaxes with a cheeky grin.
“Oh, I am never going to say no to you helping me in the shower, Harlow.”
