Page 346 of The Romance Adventure

“I think this is a story we ought to hear.” Lally’s eyes are wide.

“There was a big storm. These geniuses thought it would be fun to surf a boat.” Harley shakes her head at the memory.

“It’s a really big boat. Fast too,” I say.

“And we survived,” Magnus adds.

“So did the boat,” Ryan says.

Royal’s glare could boil water.

“He’s just embarrassed. Don’t think less of him,” I say to Isla. “He’s still big and tough.”

Magnus gets in his truck and calls, “They’re in the safe at the Driftwood.”

Ryan says, “Same password as the one for your front gate. We should all probably think of a new one.”

Chip used our grandmother’s date of birth for everything. So do I. Given the fact that my family barged in here, I should probably change that, especially since Jolie and I nearly got caught kissing in the kitchen.

I slide my hand onto her shoulder and wave goodbye to everyone. For a moment, I feel like an average Joe with my above-average Jolie.

We’re anything but, both of us harboring secrets.

Breaking me from my spiraling thoughts, Isla waves out the window and hollers, “Thanks for the horchata!”

Maybe we can give this normal thing a shot after all.

Jolie

CHAPTER 7

CJ and I remain on the deck, watching everyone pull away until the taillights fade from the long, winding driveway.

Without thinking, I say, “So that’s what family life is like.”

“Don’t take it too seriously. They have fun taking the snot out of me. It’s a big brother-little brother thing. It’s just an average day with some average guys.” He hesitates as if weighing whether to say more.

“Just an average day. Average guys? Seriously? There’s nothing average about them. They’re all giant, muscular. You could be a gang or a small army.”

He chuckles like I’m being silly, putting him on like they did.

I lock onto his gaze. “You just don’t realize you’re one of them, CJ.”

The corner of his mouth pinches as if he has to think about that.

“Have you always put your big brothers on a pedestal? Do you not realize that you’re no different?”

CJ, in a rare moment of vulnerability, shuffles his sandal on the deck. “They sure make me feel different. Like I’m the oddball in the family. The black sheep.”

“Well, you’re not.” I slide my fingers into his lengthening hair before slipping them along the scruff on his cheeks. “Though you are getting a little shaggy. How about a blond sheep?”

We both laugh and head inside—into our house, which now feels marked with guests, with life and no longer our little secret. So often, I’m trying to avoid death, or at least danger. Isla and Harley are both pregnant. CJ’s family is semi-reunited, and best of all, we’re back together.

That was not the plan.

Maybe it was better that CJ hadn’t introduced me to the McGregor clan. Now, it feels like there’s more at stake. Real people with real lives, loves, and dreams. I’ve been insulated from all that.

“You mentioned settling down,” I say carefully.