“I’m sorry I nearly screwed your life up.”
“Gav,” her head tilted to the side as she stared at me, “Look at me. Does it look like my life is screwed up now? I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I have Roman, a baby on the way, great friends… this is probably the best thing that bastard, Brantley, could have ever done for me. And he didn’t even realise it. We sorted all that out before we even came out here, so let’s say no more about it and leave it where it should be, yeah, in the past.” I glanced up and saw Roman standing on the doorstep; he looked confused about why we were still sitting there as he slid his hands into his pockets. Her fingers tightened around mine, “You know there was a time that I would’ve retreated inside myself. The first time I walked into that suite, I just wanted it over with. I never thought Roman would ever look at me in the way he did. I was still shy, career focused and determined, and the tiniest slither of self-esteem. Now, I wouldn’t change anything from thepast year, even our arguments, because it gave me a completely different way of life. A different outlook on life.” she smiled as she turned my face to hers, “It gave me my future. How could I be angry with that?”
It was my turn to smile now. I guess in the end, I pushed them together. “I’m glad you’re with Roman. I think, well, I know you’re the most genuine person he could have ended up with.”
“Yeah well, you’re all stuck with me now. You guys are my family and this baby,” her free hand moved to her belly to rest against her bump, “is going to be the luckiest child around, because it has all of you guys to look out for it.”
I looked up and saw Roman still watching us from the doorway. “He looks confused.”A grin twitched at my lips.
Paisley glanced at Roman and then at me, and we grinned at each other. “Yeah, he does.” she giggled, “he probably thinks we’re plotting against him,” she giggled again, “come on let’s go tell the others.”
As we got out of my Mustang, I pointed the fob at it and locked it. “Maybe you could sort out whatever it is that’s going on with you and Nikki, you know seeing as you’re all grown up and settling down.”
“I never said I was settling down.” I argued as I met her at the front of the car, “but please, leave it.” I asked quietly and grinned. I didn’t want a conversation about Nikki to ruin our bonding session.
“What’s going on here then?” Roman asked in an amused tone as we walked up.
“I’m having a sordid affair with your wife.” I grinned wide, totally unashamed.
“Pfft, she’d eat you alive, mate.” That earned Roman a smack across the chest and made me laugh out loud as I passed him onthe doorstep. He pulled her into his embrace, as I went through to the kitchen. I needed coffee.
“Gav,” Paisley called after me, “can I tell Roman about your new place?” I glanced back, the huge grin stretched across her face made me smile, so I nodded and went through to the kitchen. I grabbed a coffee from the pot. She’d got a fan-dangled new machine too that she’d bought for her hot chocolates, but I preferred the fresh stuff.
As I blew away the steam that billowed from the top of the cup, I tentatively sipped my drink with my back pressed against the counter. I listened to Paisley as she waffled on to Roman all about the apartment. Every minor detail. I’d tuned out about halfway through. “You know Gav, we could go looking for furniture as soon as you get your keys.” She made her way through the kitchen and over to me.
“Yeahhh…” I dragged the word out. I sounded bored, “we could.” Probably because I was.
As I breathed slowly, I took another sip and let the caffeine do its job as Roman rolled his lips inward in a tight smile, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, his hands caressed her belly as his chin rested on her shoulder.
“I can’t wait.” I said with a forced smile.Paisley’s head tilted to the side and twisted her lips in indifference.“Are you going to drag me around the shops?” My brows pinched, hoping that the frown on my face was going to make her mind change somehow, but no, I knew the answer straight away. “Fuck that.” I rolled my eyes towards the ceiling. “We can do that shit online.”
“But Gaaav,” her whine had me focusing back on her, “it’s so much more fun this way.”
“Yeah, for you.” My scowl deepened, I could feel the tightness of it on my forehead, “Rome, sort your woman out.” I tipped my cup back, and drank the last dregs of coffee then placed it back on the counter, breathing a tired sigh. He shrugged. The fuckerwasn’t on my side for this, as usual. “Fine. But it’s not taking all day.”
“Yaaay.” She clapped her hands, and my eyes rolled again, but my head shook this time. How can you be that excited about shopping for furniture?
“You,” I pointed at Paisley, now wrapped completely in Roman’s embrace, “you need to get out more.” She shrugged, but all I could do was smile a little. I was not looking forward to this. At that, I turned my back on them and poured more coffee.
The front door shut with a loud bang, and instantly, every head in the kitchen turned to the doorway. We knew who it was before she appeared. The familiar sound of heels clicked on the tiled floor, alerting us to Nikki’s presence. She glided in, all business-like. Her skirt sat just above the knee while her blouse buttoned down the front and was tucked neatlyinto her skirt.
“So, what’s the big news?”News?She said as she glanced between us. Her gaze didn't stay on me for longer than thirty seconds, though. Just then, Rhys made an appearance and slipped through the patio doors from the back and leaned his back against the doorframe.
“Nik.” I greeted her, but she didn't answer. I bit back the snigger of her ignorance and waited for someone to give her an answer. Because other than me finding a place to live, I didn’t realise there was any other news.
“I wanted to wait for you all to be here.” Roman piped up, “I had a call from my agent while you two were out.” he looked between me and Paisley.
“Go on.” Nikki answered in her usual impatient tone. God, some days she really pissed me off.
“Okay, well there’s a big,” he tried to exaggerate the size with his hands, “huge casino opening.” My ears perked up at the sound of casino. New casino. “They’ve asked me to officially open it.”
Paisley turned in his arms, her mouth open like she was catching flies. “Where?”
“Right here.” Roman replied, “But this is going to be massive. Two floors, from what I’m told.”
“When?” That was Nikki. I hadn’t asked one question. It’s my job to be by his side, so that’s where I’d be.
“Next month.”
