Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Rowan’s eyes shimmer and she disappears back into the house.
“I’m so excited to finally be here!” Tera, who’s oblivious to what’s happening, kisses my cheek and jumps down.
I catch Talon’s disapproving glare and know exactly what he’s thinking.
What the hell just happened? That was not the type of greeting two old family friends share.
Goddammit! I fucked this up again.
3
ROWAN
The beep over the door sounds loudly, announcing my arrival. I’ve been to Clyde’s Formalwear several times, and usually, someone is always in the galley. It’s eerily quiet, with no one around.
“Hello?”
A flash of black and white comes barreling toward me from the back.
“Pepper, halt!” Cruz yells, following casually.
The dog stops at my feet, its tail wagging and tongue panting excitedly.
“Oh my God! Aren’t you the most beautiful dog ever?”
“Shake,” Cruz orders.
I take the paw offered and squat to eye level. “Who are you, handsome devil?”
“Actually, it’s a she-devil. This is our new addition, Pepper.”
“Is she full Dalmatian?”
“She is. Two years old. We fostered her for a little while to make sure we were ready for the commitment. She officially became ours this weekend. That’s why we missed the party at the Club.”
My stomach twists at the mention of the party. “You didn’t miss much.”
I want to kick myself for the bitterness that bleeds in my tone.
Cruz kneels, scratching the underside of Pepper’s jaw, his gaze pinning me. “You okay?”
“Perfect,” I lie.
He scans my face, his eyes filling with warmth and sympathy. “Not a fan of the monumental fireworks display?”
“Fireworks never were my thing.” I shrug, standing. “Sorry to pop in unannounced. I’m hoping to ask for a teensy little favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
“Can I get a peek at Jewls' wedding dress?”
He falls back dramatically, a hand covering his heart. Pepper immediately pounces on his stomach and nudges his hand playfully.
“Not now, Pepper. Rowan is trying to get me killed.”
I giggle as the dog jumps, covering Cruz from shoulder to hips.
“Dammit, dog, Alex is going to have to stop wrestling with you all the time.”
My heart warms at the thought of Cruz’s partner, Alex, rolling around on the floor with the dog.
As if he’s being summoned, Alex walks in from the hall. Pepper goes crazy, whining and jumping in circles. In her excitement, she bounces directly on Cruz’s groin.
He groans, curling in an arc, his hands going to cover himself. Oblivious to his pain, Pepper leaps into Alex’s outstretched arms.
“Shit!” Cruz howls.
“You should know to protect yourself.” Alex juggles his dog. “Pepper, we have to teach you some manners. It’s not nice to crush a man’s balls unless he deserves it.”
A loud giggle bubbles up my throat, and I can’t help the hysterical laughter that follows. I grip my stomach at the scene. One man is on the floor trying to roll over and wincing while his boyfriend coddles their dog like a baby.
“Not only are you trying to get me killed, you’re laughing about it.” Cruz stumbles to his feet.
“I can’t help it. This is the best entertainment I’ve had in a while.”
“That’s sad.”
“It’s awesome. And I’m not trying to get you killed. It’s a tiny favor.”
“Julianna has sworn us to secrecy until the big reveal. With her expanding waistline, Ember is working on the elasticity in the torso. The hemline is still a mess.”
“Aesthetics aren’t important.” I reach into my bag and pull out the chain with dangling crystal stones.
“That is stunning.” Cruz takes it, fingering the gems delicately.
“Stunning, maybe, but it only matters if it matches the dress. Ember gave me a few stones to work with, but I had to improvise.”
Ember Hayes is Cruz’s cousin and part-owner of Clyde’s. She’s also a brilliant dress designer who only works with special clients. Rightfully so, she is very secretive with her designs.
Ember is also married to Robbie Hayes, who is heir to Hayes Security. He handled all of my security systems at the house and salon. And when I was kidnapped, he ran the rescue crew from the building across the street.
I wouldn’t say we are close friends, but there is a bond.
Through the interactions with our friends, I’ve gotten to know Cruz and Alex over the past months.
“Four inches. I’ll give you four inches.” Cruz relents.
“Baby, don’t sell yourself short. You have over four inches to offer,” Alex jokes, winking at me.
Cruz’s cheeks heat and he slices his eyes to his partner. “Four inches of fabric, pervert.”
“You mention inches and my mind goes off on its own.”
Another round of giggles erupts until tears slip from my eyes. “Four inches is the best offer I’ve had in ages.”
The carefree mood changes, both men looking at me warily. “Come on, guys. I can join in on sex jokes. I’m not that much of a killjoy.”
“No one thinks you’re a killjoy, Rowan. We just want to be sensitive to your situation.”
Situation… translation… pity.