“He is our attorney for my parents’ will.”
“Oh no,” she whispers while looking at the other woman, then back to me. “I’m so sorry.”
I offer her a smile. “It’s alright. Look—” I turn to Evelyn and sigh. “I didn’t mean to sneak up on you two. I was just going for a walk to get out of the cabin. I’ve been cooped up since getting a cold and just needed fresh air.”
“Yeah, not an attack. Did you learn that while deployed? That was… impressive.”
I nod. “Extremely.”
That has the corner of the girl’s lip jump, as if she’s fighting the smile attempting to crawl from some far, forgotten place. “Yeah, you could say that.”
“Eve, darling.” A deep, sultry voice comes from the direction of the cabin. When I look, I can’t help but wonder if this place is a breeding ground for beautiful people.
Because, once again, holyshit.
The man that approaches us is tall; more so than Keoni. His narrow eyes, short, silky black hair that frames his face, and chiseled jawline has me practically drooling.
He looks like a K-Pop idol I fawned over in college.
“I reacted the same way…” Calista murmurs softly. “Even if I’m happily in a relationship.”
Evelyn groans. “Yes, Levi,honey.” Well, that sounded extremely distasteful.
He approaches, one hand tucked into his suit pants pocket, his matching jacket slung back behind it. “Ah, Calista. It’s a pleasure to see you again.” His eyes then travel to mine, and it’s like he understands the power his swagger has because he quirks a smile. “And, another friend?”
“Neighbor,” Evelyn corrects. “I thought you were doing something.”
He ignores her and reaches his hand out toward me. “Levi Black, and you are?”
I take it not to be rude. His grip isstrong. Jesus. “Ayden Pierce. I live in Wildhart with my…” I lick my lips and fumble while finishing my sentence, “Stepbrother.”
Stupid. What the fuck?Couldn’t say friend, could I?
Not entirely sure what look Calista is giving me, but I swiftly turn back to Levi, who has a smile on his lips. “It’s a pleasure. You must excuse my rudeness.” He releases my hand and looks to Calista, before turning to Evelyn. “I must steal my wife. We have dinner plans, and she needs to get ready.”
“Fuck off.”
My mouth drops open.
“Such a pleasure.” He doesn’t seem offended, at least by his tone. “She’s just a bit upset over a… disagreement of our last job together.”
“Disagreement?”
Oh boy.
I steal another glance at Calista, who is laughing nervously and taking a step back. I follow her cue.
“You literally didn’t listen to me and nearly lost us the contract! We were hit with a warning!”
“I’m not the one that was trying to show off, darling.”
I’m not going to pretend to understand what’s going on. “Well, this has been an eventful meeting.” I look at the blonde who isgiving me a sympathetic smile. “Would it be alright if I come by sometime? To Sanderson.”
She beams. “Of course! I’ll let my boyfriend know not to attack you on sight.”
Again, I’m rendered shocked. She sounds so serious… but she’s not, right?
She gives me a playful wink.
