Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 62811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
A little while later, she walked her mom out and shut the door behind her, breathing a sigh of relief. Annika was hard to deal with on a good day, and today hadn’t exactly been one of those.
She walked into the bedroom to see Xander in a pair of jeans, his top bare, those gorgeous muscles on display. He reached for a tee shirt in a drawer when she spoke.
“Hi.”
He turned, shirt in hand. “Hi,” he said, his gaze sliding over her, obviously gauging her mood. “That bad?” he asked, reading her correctly.
She gave a little shrug. “As good as it could have been, I guess. My mother’s not about to change now.”
“When is she going back to LA?” he asked, sounding eager for her to be on her way. Not that she blamed him.
“A week. I think she plans on coming by the set on Monday. Then she’s going to visit some friends in Nantucket.” She bit her bottom lip. “Is it awful to say I’m relieved she’s not staying in the city?”
He let out a laugh. “Not at all. She’s not easy.”
“I want to say she means well, but … she just wants to control me so she can say, Look at my daughter, living the life I could have had if I didn’t give up everything to raise her.” She sighed and rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to dwell on it, okay?”
He nodded just as her phone rang from the nightstand where she’d left it, and she walked over to answer. Cassidy’s name flashed on the screen. “Hey, Cass.”
“Hi! How’d it go with Mom? Anything I can do for you? Get you?”
Sasha laughed. “Oh, just some patience. And a mouthguard so I stop grinding my teeth.”
Across the room, Xander chuckled as he finished getting dressed.
“I take it Annika hasn’t changed, then.”
“No, she has not,” she said with a sigh. “What’s up there? Anything I need to know?”
“Work is quiet. But guess what? My brother is in town to meet with Dash and the band,” Cass said, excitement in her voice.
Sasha knew how close Cassidy and Axel were. “I’m so glad. Will you see him?”
“Xander didn’t tell you? We’re all getting together tonight. He and Dash planned it earlier. Oops! Incoming call. Gotta run! Talk to you later,” she said and disconnected them.
Sasha turned to Xander. “Cassidy said something to me about plans?” she asked with a pleased grin.
He nodded. “We’re going to Linc’s club tonight at Hudson Yards. It’s the safest place we can go since only members and their guests are allowed in. And it’s quiet.”
“Right up your alley.” She walked over and slipped her arms around his waist. “Who’s coming?”
He tipped his head. “Let’s see. Dash and the band, Cassidy and her brother, Axel, and Linc and Jordan. Aurora wanted to stay home with Leah. And Chloe and Beck had plans.”
“So a small crowd of people we like. Sounds perfect.”
He pulled her flush against him. “I’m looking forward to a night out with you. You’re okay with the plans?”
She nodded. “Sounds like fun.” A night with people they enjoyed. A peaceful night that was perfect for Xander and one she was looking forward to so much more than a night on the town with anyone else.
* * *
Xander sat in a chair with Sasha close by, talking to a very pregnant Jordan and Cassidy, who, with her long blond hair and her face fully made up, looked remarkably similar to Sasha. No wonder she was worried about her friend’s safety with this fucking stalker lurking around.
Linc couldn’t take his eyes off his wife, and Xander understood because he was laser focused on Sasha. Relaxed and at ease, she laughed at something Jordan said, the sound light and airy. One he told himself not to get used to, but damned if he didn’t want to.
Before he could dwell on that thought, a familiar voice called out. “The guest of honor is here. Let the party begin!”
Rolling his eyes at his brother’s antics, Xander stood as Dash entered, the guys in the band following him along with a man he didn’t know. “At least we have a private room. Nobody can cheer for you,” Xander said, causing Dash and the rest of the family to laugh.
“Axel!” Cassidy rose from her chair and flung herself at her brother, obviously beyond happy to see him.
Sasha glanced at Xander and smiled. He winked at her in return. She blushed and all he wanted to do was get her home and into bed. Their time together was limited, and as much as he enjoyed being out with her like a real couple, he also wanted to keep her to himself.
Axel, who had the posture and swagger of a musician who knew his worth, stood with Cassidy beside the table where they all sat.