“Sorry.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I needed some time to adjust to... normality.”
“Normality?” Broadway smirks. “Nothing’s normal when Koby’s around. I’m surprised you didn’t run away screaming.”
Violet slaps his wrist. “Be nice.”
He just kisses her head in reply. “So, what’s the plan tonight? What did Hailey settle on?”
“As far as I’m aware, we’re having drinks,” I supply.
“It’s not that easy with Hailey,” Violet cuts in. “She loves hosting and makes entertainment her mission. We get massages, or facials, or mani-pedis. We play board games, taste wines, or bake cookies. It’s neverjustdrinking and talking.”
“And we don’t know what’s happening tonight?” I look to Koby for confirmation.
He helpfully shakes his head. “Whatever it is, you’ll enjoy it.”
We arrive ten minutes later, and Koby helps me out of the car, then laces our fingers, taking me inside Carter’s mansion.
A pleasant warmth fills me up because I didn’t think he’d touch me in front of the others. I thought he’d keep our quickly escalating but very fresh relationship to himself.
“Hey!” Hailey beams, eyes flicking to Koby’s hand wrapped around mine. Her smile widens and she pulls me into a tight embrace. “I’m glad you’re finally joining us.”
For a beat too long, I can’t move. I remember precisely the last time someone hugged me like this, and it was Aalyiah. I blink back tears, wrapping my arms around Hailey.
“Sorry it took so long.”
She inches away and Koby immediately pulls me against him.
“Better late than never.”
Behind her, Carter enters the room. He’s dressed like always, black slacks, white shirt, and a black waistcoat. It’s been his signature look for as long as I remember. I can count on the fingers of one hand how many times I’ve seen him wear something more casual. He adjusts the cuffs, raking his eyes across the living room as if doing a quick headcount.
I wait for him to clock Koby’s hand holding mine, but he glosses over the fact as if he expected this to happen.
From what I’ve been told, both Violet and Bianca were under Broadway’s and Ryder’s roofs in a similar situation to mine.They all ended up pairing off, so maybe that’s why Carter’s not surprised at me and Koby.
Nobody’s surprised, really...
I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.
“We’re leaving,” Carter says, crossing the room to stamp a kiss on Hailey’s forehead.
Ryder follows, lips brushing Bianca’s temple, and Koby dips his head to kiss me quickly.
“Apollo, I want you outside with Corvin,” Carter continues. “Arthur, you take the back, Broadway—”
“I know. I’m here, keeping the girls sober.”
Hailey chuckles. “You can try.”
“We shouldn’t be long,” Koby whispers in my ear. “You’re perfectly safe here.”
“I know. I’m not worried about me.”
He presses his lips to my temple, voice barely audible. “Don’t worry about me. I promised you an eventful night, and I always keep my promises.”
With one last peck on my cheekbone, he follows Ryder and Carter out, their elegant shoes clicking along the marble corridor. The heaviness lifts from the atmosphere instantly.
“Okay!” Hailey claps, her smile turning mischievous as her gaze targets me. “I thought we could do things differently tonight and focus on getting to know you. So, we’ll drink and you’ll tell us all about yourself and how good Koby is in bed.”
