“I’m being attentive. Protective, even.”
Raine rolled her eyes. “You’re being delusional. Taking her virginity doesn’t mean you own her.”
River ignored her and turned to Heavenly with an imploring stare. “You understand, right?”
Heavenly grimaced. “Actually…it sounds like stalking to me, too. Sorry.”
“Of course you’re siding with my sister. Jasmine and I have unfinished business, and I’m not letting up until we hash it out.”
“Give her some space,” Heavenly suggested gently. “She’ll come around.”
River wasn’t having it. “I’ve given her months. I’m done waiting.”
“Translation: you still haven’t taken anyone else to bed, so you’re getting horny and desperate.” Raine’s smile was pure saccharine.
“No, I’m annoyed that my little sister won’t stop being a shit.”
“What are you going to do?” Heavenly asked.
“Right now? Go out to the patio and enjoy myself.” River headed for the door.
With the men, who would ostensibly understand him.
“I meant about Jasmine,” Heavenly called to his retreating back.
“Oh, I have a whole new strategy.” His grin was an implacable mixture of determination and mischief.
Based on that expression, Jasmine didn’t stand a chance.
Once he shut the sliding door behind him, Raine shook her head, suppressing a laugh. “It’s official. He’s insane.”
“I think you’re right.”
The doorbell rang, and Heavenly whirled. “I’ll get that.”
She hustled to the foyer and found a familiar man—tall, dark-haired, and casually dressed—on her porch. He wore a polite smile on his stern face and held a bottle of wine. He didn’t look lethal. She knew better.
“Jericho! Good to see you again,” she welcomed. “Come in. I’m glad you could make it.”
“Thanks for inviting me.” He smiled as he stepped inside and handed her the vino. “After five years in San Bernardino, I’m happy to be back in LA. But most of my friends have either gotten hitched or moved away. So I appreciate being included.”
“Of course. Happy to have you! How are you settling in?”
“Can’t complain. I like my new place. Was lucky to find it, that’s for sure. Nice neighbors.” He shrugged. “We’ll see.”
“Sounds like you made the right decision. Beers and bottled water are in the cooler on the patio, where the guys are, probably swapping grilling techniques.”
“Or telling dirty jokes,” Raine quipped, appearing beside her. “Good to see you again.”
“You, too, Mrs… What’s your married name?”
“Hammerman-O’Neill. But just call me Raine.”
“So you married Liam, then?”
She grinned. “We chose the name because it’s alphabetical. But who I legally married is a secret we’ll all take to our graves.”
As Jericho raised a brow, Zach appeared on the walkway behind him, his face quietly reserved.
