“I don't want you blindsided when you go into the meeting in a couple of days. I think you deserve a chance to discuss it. Having the Neighpalm name behind you will open doors everywhere.”
Miles looks thoughtful. “Harlow, do you know how your dad got our name to begin with? He didn’t tell us, and we were so glad to have a job that we didn’t think to ask.”
I startle, surprised by his words. “I thought you knew?” They all shake their heads.
“Hope Green is the Vice President of Neighpalm Records, and she suggested you. Hope is practically family, so of course Dad trusted her opinion.” If I thought they were shocked at the last bit of news, then this one renders them mute.
“Harlow! Harlow!”
“Speak of the devil,” I mutter under my breath. My friend is rounding the corner of the house. In an almost comical fashion, she freezes, basically tripping over her own feet when her eyes register the men standing around me.
“Hope?” Parker’s voice cracks on the word before he runs over, grabs her, and hugs her, spinning her around. I can see her slapping at his arm to put her down, though he doesn’t oblige until he smacks a big kiss on her cheek.
“Sorry, Brad had said everyone was gone, so I was coming to get you for lunch. Hi, guys.” She waves kind of awkwardly at the other three who are still staring at her like they’ve seen a ghost.
“Fuck this, I’m going back to the B and B. I need some sleep.” With that eloquent goodbye, Wyatt heads back to one of the remaining trucks, starts it up, and tears out of the area.
My mouth drops open, and Ethan looks at me with worry. “I’m sorry about that. He’s an asshole most of the time, but when he’s had no sleep, he’s practically unbearable.” He steps up to Hope and gives her a hug and a gentle kiss on the cheek. “It was nice to see you, Hope. We should get back and clean up.” He waves goodbye and heads over to the other truck.
“Tell Mr. Summers I’ll call him tomorrow to set up an appointment,” Miles says before following Ethan. His goodbye hits the middle ground between Wyatt’s cold exit and Ethan’s kind one. Hope isn’t ignored, but she receives only the same simple nod that I do. “Let’s go, Parker,” he calls back, but Parker looks torn.
“Go,” Hope urges him. “I’ll see you again soon. I promise.”
He hugs her hard again and follows after his brothers. Before she notices me watching her, Hope looks after them with obvious sadness and longing in her eyes.
“What was that?” I ask, but she shrugs.
“Thatis a long story—one that requires copious amounts of wine. One day, I’ll share it with you.”
She links her arm with mine, and we walk back to the house, her lost in contemplation and me leaving her be for now like a good friend. There’s plenty of time for me to get Jazzy up to speed so we can come up with a plan.
Abody cuts through the water of the pool as Hope and I turn the corner of the house, approaching the back entertainment area. Holden and Oliver are lounging on lounge chairs, sunglasses on, and I’m assuming they’re both asleep because neither of them look up when we approach. It’s Jaxon’s dark head I can see swimming furiously like he’s trying to outrun his demons. I leave him be and follow Hope into the house. Nana is placing platters of sandwiches on the table, then Jacinta pushes open the swinging door to the kitchen, carrying a jug of what looks like iced tea in each hand.
“Perfect timing, girls.” Nana smiles as she greets us. “I thought a late lunch/early dinner would be a good idea after all your traveling today. Did the jaguar get settled in ok?”
“Sure did. I’ll go back to check on her later. Do you know if the guys gave Dad a key to lock that back entrance door?”
“I think so, dear. He and Howard disappeared into the office. Can one of you tell them supper is ready? Declan is back too. I think he might have broken every speed limit to get here so fast.”
“Can you? I want to check on the cubs,” I ask Hope, and she smiles.
“Sure, but I want cuddles with one of those adorable creatures as soon as I can.” She disappears down the corridor leading to the front of the house.
“Hey, Harlow,” Jacinta calls before I can head toward the conservatory. “That basket came for you.” She points to an extravagant thing on the coffee table in front of the huge sectional. It’s a big brightly wrapped basket, packaged in pink and red cellophane.
My hands clench into fists as I eye it like it could explode at any moment. My stalker experiences have put a bit of a damper on the idea of surprise presents even though I know my family would never let me open something that hadn’t been checked for danger. A set of hands on my shoulder has me jumping, a small squeal coming out before I can stop it.
“Oh my god.” Jacinta buckles over with laughter. “I’m so sorry, but you should have seen your face. You were looking at it like it might bite you!”
“Ah, yeah. You probably would too if the last package had the mutilated bodies of two of your boyfriends in doll form,” I snap at her, and she sobers immediately.
“Oh shit, I forgot about that. I’m sorry.” She wraps her arms around me and gives me a big hug. “That package has been checked by security. I’ll definitely lead with that next time so you don’t worry about it. It’s from Aunt Merideth. That’s her signature wrapping, and there’s a card.” She points out the card stuck into the pretty wrapping on top. “Go on.”
I pull out the small envelope and open it up. The writing is pretty, with loopy feminine lettering.
Dear Harlow,
Welcome to the family. I am so very excited to meet you at Christmas time. I have heard so much about you from my brother and nephew. I saw that you have decided to be brave and attempt a relationship with all six of my great-nephews. Good for you, sweetheart. I have enclosed a few gifts from our collection that will probably come in handy with 6 men to keep sexually happy.
