“Where are your two tonight?” I ask as we help ourselves to the food.
“Talisa is at the movies with friends, and Taylor’s over at his girlfriend’s place,” Cheryl explains.
I notice Keven’s eye twitch. “You don’t approve?” I ask before popping a chunk of cheese in my mouth.
“There isn’t anything wrong with Marisa, just that Taylor’s priorities aren’t where they should be,” he clarifies.
“He’ll be a senior this year, and he really needs to knuckle down and work hard if he’s to graduate with a decent GPA,” Cheryl says.
“He’s more interested in girls and football than his studies,” Keven adds. “He has an offer to play ball for Boston College, but he’s too laid-back about the academic requirements, and I’m worried he’ll lose the place if he doesn’t get his act together.”
“He’s a smart kid,” Zayn says, lifting his fork to his mouth. “He’ll pull it off.”
“I hope so for his sake. He has his heart set on a football career, and we only want the best for him,” Keven says.
We chat amicably over dinner and dessert, and I’m enjoying myself immensely. When the light fades, Cheryl and I move to the lit seated patio area with a fresh bottle of white wine and our glasses while our men clean up. “How is business?” she asks when we’re settled side by side on one of the couches.
“Thriving. I’m having to turn away so much work.”
She cocks her head to one side. “Time to hire another apprentice?”
“Possibly. My new assistant is taking care of the paperwork and organizing my office and the accounts, which is a godsend, but I definitely need more help executing the projects. The small team I have working with me is great, but I really need someone with more experience.”
“It’s a great problem to have,” she says, clinking her glass against mine.
“It is, and I’ll figure it out. How are things at the studio?”
“Hectic, but you know me.” She shrugs, tossing golden, wavy hair over her shoulders. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Cheryl took me under her wing when our husbands became business partners years ago. She’s like the older sister I never had, and while I adore my sisters-in-law and our extended friends’ group, I’ve really come to cherish the relationship I have with this woman. The advice she gave me when I was setting up my business was on point, and she’s the first person I go to when I have a question.
The rest of the evening passes in a whirlwind of wine and good conversation, and I’m sad when the car arrives to take us home. “Thanks so much for a lovely evening,” I say, hugging Keven and then Cheryl. “I’ll contact you during the week to arrange dinner at ours next month.”
“Have a great vacation, man.” Zayn slaps Keven on the back. “I’ll see you when you get back.”
“I’m always available for emergencies,” Keven reminds him.
“You should switch your cell off and totally destress,” I suggest, already knowing he won’t heed my advice. Zayn is the same whenever we travel, and I’m pretty sure Sawyer and Xavier don’t know the meaning of the word relaxation.
The guys all work way too hard, and it’s not like any of us need the money. I really wish Zayn would cut his hours. He’s been out of sorts lately, and I’m guessing it’s work related, but every time I ask, he says it’s nothing.
Our friends wave us off at their door as our driver drives along the winding driveway and out through the gate. It’s a thirty-minute journey, and I have plenty of ideas on how to occupy the time. The instant the privacy screen goes up, I unbuckle my belt and crawl onto my husband’s lap.
“Hey there,” I purr in my sexiest voice, circling my arms around his neck and leaning down to kiss him.
“What’re you doing?” he asks in between heated kisses.
“What does it look like?”
Amusement dances across his lips as he drags his gaze over me. “Like someone might’ve had too much wine to drink.”
“Are you complaining?” Rotating my hips, I grind down on the noticeable bulge in his pants. “Because it doesn’t feel like you are.”
“Never, beautiful.” My inner sex goddess whoops when his hands wander under my skirt and up the back of my thighs.
“I want you,” I proclaim in a breathy tone as his fingers gradually creep higher.
“Here?” His brows lift in surprise.
