Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Corbin gave the bouncer his name, and we were immediately let in. He turned back to grin at us, a sparkle in his sky-blue eyes. “I know the owner.”
“Yes, we know. You told us at least fifteen times,” Marcus countered.
Corbin just rolled his eyes.
It was packed inside, bodies moving together, bass vibrating through the floors and my feet, traveling upward to land in my chest.
We had a reserved table in the back. We danced and had drinks, Declan letting go in a way he rarely allowed himself to do. He danced close to me, rode my thigh and kissed me. As he pulled back, Parker, Corbin, and Marcus were there, all of us laughing, letting the music take us away.
We weren’t back at our table for more than five minutes when Parker groaned. “What the fuck is he doing here?”
“Who?” Declan asked.
I turned my head, trying to see who Parker was talking about, when I noticed the guy who came into Beach Buns to flirt with him.
“Is he still trying to get you to go out with him?” Corbin asked.
“No, not really. I haven’t seen him in a while. I think he finally got the message that I’m not interested and—shit, he saw me.” Parker tried to climb under the table, making us laugh when he hit his head. “Ouch. Motherfucker. I hate him.”
“I’m assuming you’re talking about me, but I’m not sure what I did wrong,” Elliott said, approaching us.
“Exist?” Parker asked.
“I should be the one saying ouch,” Elliott replied. “You’ve made it your goal in life to break my heart, haven’t you?”
Parker huffed. “Please. Like you really care about anyone but yourself.”
I could have imagined it, but I was pretty sure Elliott flinched, his gaze darting away.
“I just came over to say hello. You have to admit it’s a huge coincidence that we would run into each other here.”
“Hello. Nice to see you. No, I’m not going out with you.”
“I wasn’t going to ask.” Elliott winked, and Parker stared up at him and…did he look disappointed? As far as we all knew, Parker had been true to his word and hadn’t dated or hooked up with anyone in months. He was serious about his break from men. I couldn’t help wishing things would work out for him.
“Oh,” Parker replied. “Good. Here with someone?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Elliott grinned, reached over, and cupped Parker’s face. “Have a good night, beautiful.” I was fairly certain Parker sucked in a sharp breath. And then Elliott dropped his hand, turned, and walked away.
“Um…why won’t you go out with him again? He’s fucking hot,” Corbin said.
Marcus frowned. “He seems like an asshole.”
“No shit,” Declan agreed.
As the three of them teased each other, I noticed Parker watching Elliott go.
Interesting…
We stayed until the bar closed, then walked to our hotel together, drunk and laughing, stopping to take photos with a few people along the way who recognized me.
We said our goodbyes in the hallway, Declan and I going into our room. We showered together, then climbed into bed naked.
“I missed a text from your mom earlier.” Declan showed me the text, which she’d ended with I love you. “Nice of her to wish Corbin happy birthday.” She hadn’t met The Vers guys yet, but that didn’t matter to her. She loved Declan and me, so she cared about them. She also continued to listen to the podcast and wanted to mother them all. “I’ll reply in the morning. I don’t want to wake her up.”
“They want us to come visit.”
“I know. She told me that a few days ago.”
I cocked a brow. “How often do you guys talk?”
“Often enough.” He grinned from deep in his chest, and I knew how much that meant to him. My family was now his, and that wouldn’t change.
“I love you…so much. I wish it didn’t take me ten years to see it…to harass you until I made you mine.”
Declan rolled toward me, pushed up on his elbows, and looked down at me. “God, you were so annoying,” he teased, before sobering. “I’m not sure I’d have ever believed someone could love me like this if it wasn’t for you. I feel so damn lucky…the Sebastian Cole. How the fuck did I score him?”
“He’s pretty great, isn’t he?”
We laughed and kissed, and then I turned out the lights and Declan pulled me into his arms. “I love you too.”