Harlow
When we arrive at the helicopter, Kai and Jaxon are already standing outside, chatting, big grins appearing on both of their faces as we approach. I just can’t believe how lucky I am, though the warm feeling filling my heart is definitely reminding me. I’m sure I’m going to wake up at any moment and realize this was all a dream, so I’m going to make the most of it while I can. Bouncing over to them, I brush off the somber mood Thomas had caused and wrap my arms around Kai’s neck to give him a big kiss before moving to Jaxon. My movements are still a little hesitant, but he steps into me and wraps his arms around my waist, not pushing for anything more than a simple hug as I melt against him.
“Hey, gorgeous, you look like you’ve had a good day.” He looks from me to Holden and Oliver, and his lip turns up in amusement. “A very,verygood day. I’ve got to say, I’m a little jealous.” I feel my smile drop in worry. Is he joking? Is jealousy going to become a problem already? He quickly shakes his head, eyes widening like he realizes he might have just said the wrong thing. “I mean, I’m just jealous that I wasn't there too,” he assures me.
Oliver claps him on the shoulder. “Yup, you missed out.” I groan at the matching smirks on Oliver and Holden’s faces as they climb into the cabin. Assholes.
“Soon,” he tells me, his eyes heating with a promise of things to come, before climbing in after the other two.
I wink at him. “I look forward to it.”
“So how was your day?” I ask Kai as the other three start a conversation, and he groans before pulling me into his body again.
“I would have much rather stayed in bed with you.”
I chuckle, finding an easy moment of happiness in his answer. “But then you would have been all by yourself when I had to come in with Holden.”
“I think I still would have preferred that,” he grumbles before kissing my cheek. “Climb in. I’m flying this bird home tonight, and I’ve got to finish my checks.” He helps me up the steps before going around to the pilot’s side and climbing in.
Jaxon grabs me when I get close and pulls me down on his lap, not allowing me to pass him. A giggle leaves my lips, and he nuzzles into my neck, telling me how much he has missed me, before letting me slide off his lap and onto the seat next to him. Out of nowhere, my ninja of a new sister flings herself into the seat on my other side, throwing words at me before I can even try to talk to Jaxon.
“What the fuck, Harlow? I thought we were friends now.” Jacinta is frowning at me, her eyes clouded with hurt.
Shit, what did I do? I look around the cabin, hoping someone can help me out, but Jaxon shrugs at me. Holden and Oliver, my only other lifelines, are busy talking to Kai. After a moment of frantic thinking, it occurs to me what she might be upset about, so I raise my eyebrow at her.
“So the fact that I arranged for you to have lunch with three very delicious men who may be as interested in you as you are in them isn’t something a verybestfriend would do?” I cross my arms and stare her down, but I can’t keep up any playful fierceness. I’m realizing that the hurt in her eyes is actually a glimpse of Jacinta’s insecurity. Trust is a hard thing for her, thanks to both her mother and the slimy women that have been in and out of her brothers’ lives, so I guess it makes sense that a part of her might honestly be unsure about whether I had her best interests at heart. Maybe she thinks I could be trying to embarrass her or manipulate her through her connection to them, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Jacinta, if I wasn't a hundred percent sure of Alex and Shane’s interest in you, I wouldn't have set anything up. And from the looks of things in the Wardrobe, it seems you and Jace may be just a little smitten with each other as well. I want you to be happy, and I want them to be happy too. From what I know so far, they’re all really good guys, and who wouldn’t want their friend to have someone… someoneswho will be good to them?”
She blushes and won’t meet my eyes as she grumbles, “Who sayssmitten?”
“Look, it seems the three of them have got something going on. Whether that becomes a permanent thing or not, that’s for all of you to navigate, but I know Alex and Shane were interested even before Jace was in the picture. Now, take it from me, life is too short to pine away for someone or to not take a chance just because it’s scary.” Jaxon grabs the hand that isn't in Jacinta’s and squeezes tight. “Don’t be that person, Jazzy. Carpe diem. Seize the day, or cock… cocks, or whatever.” Next to me, her brother gags, the teasing dramatics making me chuckle. “But be happy. I’m pretty sure you gave me similar advice not that long ago.” When she meets my eyes next, there’s determination in them, and she gives me a quick nod just before Dad enters the helicopter.
He leans in and gives both Jacinta and me a kiss on the cheek. “There are my pretty girls.” He slaps the boys on the knee before sitting down across from us. “Declan and Thomas are on their way up. Let’s get this bird running.” Kai flicks a couple of switches, and the turbine starts to whine as the helicopter blades slowly turn above us. The noise builds as the rotor gets faster and faster, and all of us pop on headphones to help block out the sound as we watch Thomas and Declan run over, bent slightly to keep balance. Dec climbs into the co-pilot’s seat as Thomas joins us in the cabin and shuts the door behind him. Once he’s seated and belted in, the helicopter shudders, lifting into the air.
The trip home is relaxed even though Dad gives us strict instructions the moment we land. “Ok, I’ll order the food to be delivered to the front gate in an hour. That should give you plenty of time to shower and change, and I’ll message Emma to let her know that we’re home and ready for her to come on over.”
“Dad, wait,” Thomas calls after him and quickly jumps out, following him. The rest of us are not far behind, but as we get to the house, Thomas pulls out his gun while two security guards appear out of the shadows. “Just let us check things over. Security said nobody has approached the place, but it’s a big house. There are some spots where the camera angle isn’t great. It won’t take long with the three of us looking.” Dad starts to argue, but Declan stops him.
“Let him go, Dad. He’s trained for this, and it will give us all peace of mind.” With a sigh, Dad agrees, and the three men disappear into the house. It’s a long and drawn-out wait as Jacinta moves closer, leaning on me for comfort. It’s nice to have her, which is something I never would have expected to feel. Actually, it’s nice to have all of them.
Thomas returns, the two security guards having gone out the front once they deemed the house safe. “Come on,” he says with a smile. “I’m ready to kick your asses at poker.” At that taunt, the Summers come to life again.
“Nope, not poker tonight. It’s Cards Against Humanity,” Jaxon tells him. “There are too many of us for that.”
“I’ll leave you lot to sort that out while I message Emma and grab a quick shower.” Dad hurries off without even looking back.
“I can’t believe the first woman Dad has been interested in ages, who isn’t horrible anyway, has a girlfriend,” Jacinta moans as we follow along more sedately. “He had lunch with them while you were in Hawaii and couldn't say enough nice things when he got back.”
“It’s nice just to see him having a social life. Cecilia always kept him so busy with work that I haven't seen him have any fun for a long time. The three of them also played a round of golf at Dad’s club with Nana and Poppy last week too,” Jaxon adds in, throwing an arm over his sister’s shoulder as we all hit the stairs.
“Ugh, Cecelia. Let’s not mention the witch. She might hear her name on the wind and appear.” Jacinta screws up her nose, and the rest of us chuckle.
We all split up and go in our separate directions, Kai walking me to my door. “I’m going to give Max a call after I finish my shower. Come get me if you end up waiting for me.”
“Sure thing, babe.” He gives me a kiss and goes to his room.
My heartbeat automatically speeds up as I open my door, that reflex taking longer to go away than I would have hoped. But it soon settles when the door reveals my room in perfect condition. Placing my backpack on my bed, I strip off and take a quick shower. Throwing on a comfy pair of yoga pants and an off-the-shoulder sweatshirt, I make myself comfy on the bed and pull my phone out of my backpack to call my bestie. Let’s hope she answers and isn't mad at me.
