There is a chorus of “yeses” and “heck, yeahs.” Hutch and I get out of the pool and help make dinner. It’s so nice being here with everyone. No one is fighting. And we’ve all had fun. We’ll get to see Jessa and Troy tomorrow. I wish I could live in the apartment building with them, but I guess this is the next best thing.
I grab plates as Bray and Hutch start grilling. Al makes drinks, and Cam pulls out a pie she and Fletcher made earlier.
“Burgers are ready,” Hutch says as they bring in a platter and set it on the giant dining table. A few of us sit at the long island and the rest of us at the table as we start eating.
“So, who wants to help Jocelyn and me find her family tomorrow?” Hutch asks as he looks around at everyone.
“Are they missing?” Kasen asks with a frown.
I shake my head and glare at Hutch. “No. My dad was born here, but he never spoke about his family, so I’m not sure if any are left here. Hutch thought it would be fun to see if we could figure it out. I don’t talk to my dad any longer, so I truly have no idea if there is extended family here.”
Kasen nods as he chews on a bite of burger.
“Kasen, you could do a search, right?” Piper asks. He turns to her, and the look he gives her makes my cheeks heat.
“Yes, illustrator, I can,” he says, and I see his hand reach out to grab her thigh. The way he looks at her makes me swoon. What must it be like to have a man look at you like that? Like you are the center of the universe?
“Then, it’s settled. Tomorrow, we’ll see what we can dig up, and tomorrow night, I have us booked on a bioluminescent tour,” Hutch says. “Rainforest hiking is the next day, and our last full day will be a free day to do as we like. Then we have a morning of leisure before we head back to the airport.”
I roll my eyes. “Lifestyles of the rich and famous?” I ask.
Margie snorts. “That was a great show. Champagne wishes and caviar dreams.”
“More like trust issues and potential hidden family members,” I mutter under my breath.
“What’s that, dear?” Cornelia asks.
“Oh, just looking forward to seeing if we can find my extended family. Who wants some of Cam’s pie?” I ask as I try to distract them from my Freudian slip. I get a bunch of “me’s” and as I get up to grab the pie, I lock gazes with Hutch. He’s frowning, and I realize he heard what I said. I hope no one else did. But oddly, I’m alright with him knowing. Hutch is my safe place. I’m beginning to feel like I can tell him everything. Everything except that I have a giant crush on him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Hutch
“Rise and shine,” I say as I push open Jocelyn’s door. Dear God, why have I done this to myself?
Jocelyn is sprawled out on her bed. The blanket is down to her hips, revealing her torso, which is barely disguised in a nearly see-through cotton top. I can just make out the dusky-colored skin around her pebbled nipples. Her curly, dark hair is neatly braided. Her pouty lips are swollen with sleep. She’s breathtaking.
Her eyes open, and she looks around. A yawn escapes from her lips as she stretches her arms above her head, revealing tan, smooth skin.
Then she looks down and quickly grabs the covers, pulling them over her breasts and obstructing my perfect view. Her cheeks pinken, and she glances at me.
I hold up a cup of coffee. “Let’s go find some family members,” I state as I walk into her room and hand her the piping hot caffeinated beverage.
“You’re lucky I don’t startle easily,” she protests as she blows on the liquid before sipping it.
“Huh?” I manage as I try to erase the memory of my view just a moment ago.
“A Viking-sized man startling you awake could give a woman a heart attack, you know?” she teases.
I cross my arms, and she looks at my biceps, so, as any man would do, I flex them.
She rolls her eyes. “You just came from the gym, didn’t you?”
I nod. “And Kasen has his laptop set up, so come down to the kitchen once you put on real clothes.”
She bats her eyes at me as she throws back the cover and stands, coffee mug in hand. I try my damnedest not to look down, but fuck me, I can’t help myself. I glance at the tops of her breasts that are visible above the low, scooped neckline of the top she wore to bed.
“Stop ogling me. I’ll be down in a minute,” she says with a smirk.
