Page 4 of Even Ground

My stomach grumbles, reminding me of one of the reasons why I’m going to Josh’s home and not my own apartment.

I pull into Josh’s driveway, switch off the ignition, and sit in the quiet for a moment. It sucks that I’m in the middle between Josh and Jessie, friends with both of them but unable to bring the two sides together.

We had so much fun when we were all in LA, auditioning, working out how to stay just a little longer in our attempts to become working actors. Josh was the one who got his break first, Jessie landed a part in a TV show, and then I got a movie role that helped launch my career. Clarke, the other part of our group of four, decided to go in a different direction—he’s now in advertising.

And now our group is so fractured, I don’t even know where to start.

I step out of the car and close the door, taking a deep breath as I get out.

Coming here is like coming home.

Spending so much time here is a recent development. I’ve always spent a lot of time with Josh when we’ve managed to be in the same place at the same time. But now he has his family, and he’s more settled here, so I’m at his house more often than my apartment.

I can’t deny Delaney is a big part of that. She welcomed me with open arms from the start, and I’m addicted to her cooking. Delaney and Josh are like the brother and sister I never had. And Delaney’s bound to have food ready in the fridge for me—she usually does. I’m not sure she cooks it for me, but she never complains about me showing up to eat.

After walking up to the front door, I punch in my code and step into the entrance. Laughter floats down from upstairs. Josh used to rarely be here, and my visits were few and far between. But him bringing his family together has turned this house into a home in such a short amount of time.

Delaney and Amelia have turned both his and my world upside-down. Mine is just by extension, and I’m not sure I’ll ever have what he does, but I cling to my visits here, and I push them as often as I can because I love being part of what he has.

And for the first time in my life, it’s made me think of having a family of my own.

Delaney’s voice echoes down the hallway, and I catch my breath when I reach the living room door.

Her back is to me, but she’s a vision in cream, silk fabric, her dark hair tumbling down her back in big curls.

Josh is truly a lucky man.

2

Pania

“If you don’t stay still, I’ll stab you.” I look up at my best friend, Delaney, and meet her gaze.

“I can’t hear you because of the pins you’re not supposed to have in your mouth.” She wiggles her hips, and I lose hold of the hem of her dress.

“Sue me.” I grab the fabric again and slide in another pin.

“We don’t have long. Josh could be home any minute.”

I pull the pins out of my mouth and study her. The cream, silk fabric of Delaney’s wedding dress hugs her curves. She’s had me alter the neckline three times already to get the right amount of cleavage. She’ll look incredible on her wedding day, but she’s been a pain in the arse along the way.

“Well, if he does come home too early, I’ll cut out his eyes. That’ll stop him from looking.”

She laughs. “I think that’s a bit extreme.”

“We’re nearly done. I’m sure I won’t have to do it.” I grin. “You’re going to knock his socks off.”

“I hope so.”

A low wolf whistle makes us both look around.

“Reece,” Delaney exclaims.

I swallow hard. This is the moment I knew was coming but am still woefully unprepared for.

He hasn’t even said a word, but Reece Evans’s presence fills the room all the way from the doorway. What looks like a couple of days’ worth of stubble covers his cheeks and chin, but it does nothing to hide those chiselled movie-star features, and his sparkling blue eyes are impossible to miss.

Before Delaney got back together with Josh and moved to LA, we spent many hours watching him on screen and drooling. Now he’s one of her best friends. After me, of course.

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