“It tookmea while.” Jace slipped his arm around her and tugged her closer. “But we got here in the end.”
As the two kissed, Callie smiled up at Lock. “Sounds a bit like us.”
“I like it when you do that,” Lock whispered.
“Do what?”
“Smile.”
Her smile widened. “It’s what you do when you’re happy. And I am happy. Which is crazy right now, isn’t it? Ishouldn’tbe happy.”
“Yes, you should. And I’m glad you are.” He lowered his head and kissed her, and she sank into that kiss.
Elle handed her wine to Jace and stood. “I’m just going to use the bathroom.”
“I’ll show you where it is,” Callie offered, handing her own wine to Lock.
Lock shook his head. “I can do it.”
“Don’t be silly. Catch up with your brother. We won’t be long.” She bent down and kissed him one more time before heading into the house with Elle.
“Jesse and Antwan are staying here, aren’t they?” Elle asked.
“They are. Although they’ve gone to Meridian with Aspen tonight. I told them to stay, but I think they sometimes feel like they’re intruding. Which they’re not. We appreciate them extending their stay.” When all three men were in the house, she felt ridiculously safe.
“Does Aspen go out with them often?”
“She’s actually been hanging out with Jesse quite a bit.” Callie had pushed for more information on what was going on between them, but Aspen had insisted they were just friends. She’d then gone on to insist that she planned to be single for the next ten years and adopt five cats.
It wouldn’t happen. Her friend was young, funny, and gorgeous, with long blond hair most women would kill for. There was no way she’d stay single for long.
Callie glanced at Elle as they moved through the kitchen. “You and Jace look happy.”
“I’ve loved him for so long that sometimes I need to pinch myself so I know I’m not dreaming, and he really does love me too.”
“He definitely loves you. Anyone can see that.”
“Thank you. You and Lock seem to be doing great as well.”
“I’m really lucky to have him.” She stopped in front of the bathroom off the hall. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
The door closed after Elle, and Callie was about to head back outside when a cool breeze brushed the back of her neck.
Frowning, she turned. It was coming from Lock’s bedroom. Had he left a window open?
She walked into the bedroom, and sure enough, the window was pushed all the way up. She took a step toward it, only to stop, common sense slamming her in the face.
What the hell was she doing? Lock wouldn’t have left a window open. He was too safety conscious. Andshedefinitely hadn’t.
The hair on her arms stood on end. It wouldn’t have been Jesse or Antwan—their rooms were at the end of the hall, and they never came in here.
So…who had done this?
She was about to turn and rush back outside when a hand slammed over her mouth and a strong arm banded around her waist.
She froze, fear paralyzing her. It took an entire second of being dragged toward the window to realize it wasn’t a hand over her mouth. It was a cloth. And that cloth had something on it. Some sort of chemical that made her dizzy and light-headed.
