Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Immediately, she and Rome rubbed each other the wrong way.
He resented Laurel because she didn't appreciate the life she had. She hated his pretentious attitude and rolled her eyes at the chip on his shoulder.
But they were teenagers back then.
Do they still care about their mutual animosity?
Don't get me wrong. They don't get along now. But it's not like I get along with Zack.
There's no rule you need to get along with family.
"I love this, by the way." Laurel motions to Daphne's tank top and shorts. "Total casual California girl."
"No one has ever called me a California girl," Daphne laughs.
"That's 'cause you've never left," Laurel says. "Just wait until you spend time in New York or Chicago. Men love to point out your California accent, hair, love of sunshine, whatever. They go on and on about how cute it is you think it's supposed to be sunny in December."
"Sounds like a story," Daphne says.
Laurel nods is it ever. "Let's sit down. Romeo and Juliette can join us when they get here. They got stuck doing something important."
"There's a Juliette?" Daphne asks.
"Romeo's girlfriend," Zack says. "Not that Laurel is jealous."
"As if! Gross. Seriously, Zack, I will throw you off the fake Eiffel Tower." Laurel tosses her hair over her shoulder in another move of faux disinterest. She turns and moves into the restaurant.
She doesn't wait for us. She goes to the host stand and follows a man in a suit to a table.
"She is so hot for me." Zack shakes his head it's sad she can't admit it and follows his partner-in-irritation to the table.
Daphne laughs as she watches him. "Cass always complains about how ridiculous they are, but I forget."
Cassie. My sister.
The reason I need to stop thinking about Daphne naked.
The reason I'm here in Las Vegas.
To keep an eye on Cassie.
Not to fall for her best friend.
But, of course, when Daphne offers her hand, I take it and follow her to the table.
And my body doesn't hear this is a friendly move.
It hears she wants your dick.
It's the only thing I hear through appetizers and dinner.
It's the only thing I hear until we leave the cozy French-inspired bistro, find our place in the lobby, and finally see the person in question.
My sister Cassie, in a short black dress and wedge sandals, looking at her boyfriend Damon like he hangs the moon.
My sister.
Daphne's brother.
If they can do it, we can do it.
But that isn't true. It's one thing for Daphne to pursue me.
It's another for me to pursue her.
I'm the older one. The responsible one. The mature one.
I'm the Damon in this situation.
And that's the last thing I want to be: A guy who everyone worries isn't good enough for a woman.
I'm sure that's a painful experience for him, but my sympathy only goes so far.
Cassie's safety comes first. And, sure, she looks fine, but I made Dad a promise.
So, I greet her, hello, and I pull her aside. I find a quiet enough spot in the lobby, a few feet away from the bar.
I ask, "Is everything good?"
My sister's green eyes bore into mine. "Jackson."
"It's an honest question," I say.
"No. It's not." She skips the pleasantries. Straight to the point. "I know Dad asked you to keep an eye on me. I know Dad doesn't trust Damon. I know you don't trust Damon, even though you're friends now."
"I don't trust him with you," I say.
"That's okay." She presses her hands together and recites the words as if she's practiced this speech. "I understand why you don't. It took me a long time to trust him too. But here's the thing, Jackson, and I say this with all the love I have for you, because I love you so much, and I so appreciate that you look out for me. I really do."
"You're my baby sister," I say.
She doesn't melt at the reminder. She holds strong. "I'm your sister, yes, but I'm a fully grown adult. I'm capable of making my own decisions. And I promise I'll call you if I need you."
"Will you though?" I ask.
She bites her lip. "That's fair. I don't usually." Cassie, like me, tries to take care of herself. "But for this trip, I promise I will."
"Even for something small?" I ask.
"What small thing would I need?" she asks.
"A condom," I offer.
She laughs. "How about a ride? Or just someone to talk to. Whatever it is, if I am hurt in any way, I promise I'll call you. If Damon steps out of line in any way, I promise you can step in, and kick his ass."
"I could kick his ass," I say.
She nods I know. "You can watch him from afar, if you want. You can check on me at the party. But only in the normal, I want you to have fun way. Damon's sobriety is his business. Not mine. Not yours. So, kindly, with all my love, you need to fuck off."