She throws her arms around Luca, clearly pleased with his gift, at least the spa package.
Paige and Moreno smile and glance at each other.He’s finally off his phone, at least for the moment.“We have a gift for you, too, sweetheart,” Paige says.
“Why don’t you come outside for a minute?”Moreno says, gesturing for everyone to follow him down the main corridor and to the front entrance.
The house is massive.It’s three stories and clearly well-kept.It could easily house several families inside, which, apparently, it does, since Nova and Luca grew up together.
I find that a bit strange, especially since they’re not related.At least that’s what Luca had mentioned.But maybe Moreno and Paige are related to his parents and Nova is adopted?I try to wrap my head around their family tree and then finally give up.What’s the point?Why does it even matter?If it works for them, so be it.
We head to the front door, and Nova yanks it open.
Moreno hands Nova a set of car keys to a two-door silver hatchback.“Happy Birthday.”
“You guys got me a car!”
“Glad I didn’t have to followthat,” Luca whispers into my ear.
Nova is seated across from me on her bedroom floor, an array of nail polish with dozens of choices ranging from glitter to gel and everything in-between.I’ve finished painting my fingers and toes.
The boys are situated on her bed above us.I grab Luca’s leg and wiggle down his sock.
“What are you doing, Harper?”He glares at me because he must already know what I’m planning on doing.
“Giving you a pedicure.Relax,” I say and grin at Nova.“Which do you think is his color?”I wrangle two bottles in one hand, blue and purple, showing it to Nova.
“Definitely purple,” she says with a giggle.
“Hell no!”Luca growls at me, and my fingers fumble with the nail polish.Thankfully, both bottles are closed tight.
My fingers stay firmly wrapped around his ankle.“So, blue it is.”
“Just let them do it,” Ashton says, gesturing at the two of us on the floor.“It’s not like anyone looks at your feet.”
“I look at my feet!”Luca says, as if that’s explanation enough to stop us.
Nova finishes the last of her toes and points at Ashton.“What color will it be?”
He exhales softly, and his gaze peruses the colors laid out on the floor.“Color my toes the same as the Narwhals.”He beams proudly.
“Teal and white.Got it.”Nova grabs the two colors.“I’ll paint your toes teal and then add some white highlights.”
“You do realize no one is ever going to see this?”Luca says, staring pointedly at Nova.
“I know, that’s why you’re getting a manicure next,” I say.
Luca blows out a puff of steam.“Fine, but you'd better be able to spell out Narwhals on my fingernails.”
Nova’s eyes light up.“Oh, I can definitely do that!”
Ashton’s smiling and points at me.“No, Harper has to do his nails.You’re doing mine.Fingers and toes, baby.”He wiggles his fingers at Nova, giving in to her delight.
“You’re not going to fight me?”Nova stares up at him, surprised.
Ashton shrugs.“No reason; I’m secure in my masculinity,” he touts, smirking at Luca.
“Jackass.”Luca throws up his middle finger at Ashton.
An hour later, after the nail polish is put away and Nova is yawning but fighting sleep, we’re shown to the guest rooms for the night.
