Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
“Did I ask you to pay?”
She sighed and he understood her feelings.
With her meager earnings, she already insisted on paying for groceries, and even if he used his credit card, she’d stuff cash in places for him to find. He’d given up trying to return her money and was keeping an envelope to give back before she went home.
Not something he wanted to think about now.
Knowing the mood for sex had been broken he tapped her thigh. “Did you eat breakfast?”
She shook her head.
“Let’s go into town and get something to eat, okay?”
“But–”
He leaned in and kissed her, shutting up any argument she might want to have.
* * *
July 4th brought the entire Dare family to the Hamptons to celebrate Independence Day and enjoy the long weekend. Dani fit in like she belonged. With a hot dog in one hand and a red solo cup filled with soda in the other, she sat with Layla and the triplets on a blanket at the far end of the backyard lawn, waiting for the fireworks to begin. The boys looked like a combination of their parents and Hadley would be lucky if Dani didn’t end up crushing on one or all three college boys.
The adults had settled nearby, their babies asleep inside with Mrs. Baker, their shared housekeeper. Since Hadley had already spent time with Jade and Knox, Aurora and Nick, and Michael and Serenity, she and Zach sat on a blanket by Asher, the oldest sibling and his twenty-two-year-old wife, Nikki. Next to them were Harrison and Winter, Nikki’s half-sister.
“So, Hadley, how does it feel to be back?” Nikki asked.
She was a pretty woman with olive skin, her long, dark hair pulled up in a messy bun. She once modeled, something Hadley could see since even without makeup, Nikki was delicate looking and beautiful.
She was also sweet to her husband’s more grumpy nature.
Since there was a five-year age difference between Asher and Zach, Hadley hadn’t known him as well as the other siblings. But she felt his glare now and wondered if he held her disappearance against her because she’d hurt his brother.
Still, Nikki was making an effort to get to know Hadley, and she liked the younger woman. “It feels… good.” Better than good, she thought, leaning against Zach’s strong chest.
“After a few bumps in the road by way of explaining where you’ve been for the last oh, ten years,” Asher said, his tone snide as he didn’t bother to hide his cynicism.
His narrowed gaze gave Hadley the chills and she stiffened.
“Asher!” Nikki nudged her husband in the side. “Be nice. Zach and Hadley’s relationship is none of your business. They’re obviously happy now and we should be pleased for them.”
“Agreed,” Zach said, his body taut, his muscles vibrating with anger. “And if you can’t be nice, Asher, go take another blanket to watch the fireworks. One far away from here.” He wrapped his arms around Hadley protectively.
“It’s fine,” she said, not wanting to cause a fight between them. Especially when Asher had fair points. “Your brother’s reaction is understandable.” She’d hurt his sibling and Asher Dare wasn’t the most easy going of the brothers.
“It’s not, because he knows why you disappeared and that it wasn’t your fault.”
“Remember how you jumped to conclusions and misjudged me before you even knew me?” Nikki placed her fingers beneath her husband’s chin and turned him to face her. “You told me you learned from your mistakes. Are you saying I can’t trust your word?”
“Of course you can,” he said, leaning forward and kissing her, his lips lingering as if no one else were around.
Unable to control herself, Hadley laughed.
“What?” Asher bit out.
She grinned. “I just like how your wife handles you.”
Both Nikki and Zach chuckled at her comment.
“Hadley’s got a point,” Nikki said.
“So… truce?” Hadley met Asher’s gaze and extended her hand.
Nikki nudged him again and he shook Hadley’s hand. “As long as you don’t hurt my brother again.”
Fair enough, she thought, knowing it was the most she could expect from the most protective brother. The sad fact was, both she and Zach were destined to be hurt when her situation came to an end.
Once the conversation was over, Zach relaxed. The band began to play and the fireworks started soon after, alleviating the need for small talk. Hadley curled into Zach and enjoyed the spectacular explosions of color and sound, soaking it all in. And pushing Asher’s too accurate comments away.
Afterwards, everyone said good night and left, heading to their rooms at Serenity and Michael’s or their respective houses. Hand in hand, she and Zach walked back to his house in comfortable silence. He locked up behind them and set the alarm.
She joined Zach, who was already in bed, after she finished washing up and brushing.
“I’m sorry Asher was such an ass,” he said, patting the mattress for her to climb on.