“Act like you’re not just as important to them as Linc and Parker. You’re a part of their family too, Everett.”
He shrugs one shoulder, unable to accept my words.
“I’m lucky they let me in.”
“Or maybe they’re lucky that you became a part of their group,” I counter.
His eyes shutter as if hearing the words causes him physical pain.
The elevator dings, announcing our arrival and giving Everett a much-needed escape from this conversation.
Once he’s opened the door for me, he snags the bag in my hand.
“Hey,” I complain. “Hands off the food.”
“Go and get comfortable. It’ll be waiting for you when you’re done.”
I study him with narrowed eyes. “I know exactly how much is in there,” I warn.
He holds his hands up in surrender. “I won’t touch any of it. I promise.”
I take off across the apartment and slip into my room. I may not have been here long, but you wouldn’t know it from the state of the bedroom—my things are everywhere.
But it isn’t any of my belongings that make me almost trip over my own feet; it’s the sight of my bed and a memory slamming back into me.
“Don’t go,”I hear myself begging as clearly as if I said it only seconds ago.
Fire burns through my veins as I remember the heat of his skin against mine, the weight of his arm wrapped around my waist.
That thing I’ve felt like I’ve been missing all day suddenly slots into place.
I slept with Everett Donnelly last night.
And not in the way I suspect any other woman ever has.
54
EVERETT
Beatrice ordered me extra Chinese.
That bag isn’t just full of leftovers. Somehow, she managed to order all my favorite dishes along with extra spring rolls.
I stand and stare at it all for a little too long before she comes back dressed in just a T-shirt, her face free of makeup and her hair twisted on top of her head.
She doesn’t understand, but no one has ever thought of me like that before.
She knew I’d be hungry and jealous of the leftovers she was bringing home, and she made sure I had enough.
Together, we sit at the island and graze through everything she brought home.
I’d felt on edge the whole night, knowing that she was out with Parker and the girls. Not because she was spending time with them; I just…I really wanted them to like her, to embrace her as part of the group, because she deserves to have as many people on her team as possible. Hell knows that I’m not going to be enough.
Sure, she has Sienna and the other girls at the salon, but she’s about to be a first-time mom who doesn’t have her family around her for support.
Her excitement is palpable as she tells me all about her night, and I’m buzzing for her that she’s made new friends. I just hope that together, we’re able to give her everything she’s going to need in the coming months and years.
As much as I can promise that I’ll be here to support her, the truth is that I’ll be away more often than not during the season. She’s going to need an army around her. Luckily, I happen to know a group of fierce women who will help her every step of the way.
