Page 52 of Harmless Scandals

“Sorry.”

“No worries. You just looked sad there for a moment.”

“Just an odd thought.”

Jillian looked like she wanted to say more but she refrained. Thankful, Serenity stood.

“I have some mac bread I made up. You want some?”

“God, yes. I didn’t like sweet stuff up until last week. All of a sudden, I feel a need to suck down sugar by the pound.”

As she went about the task of cutting the bread, she decided to push the thoughts of babies or long-term relationships out the window. Going down that road was going to lead to heartache. Hell, both had it written all over them. But thinking about a tiny little person with curly blond hair, or a dark-haired baby with striking blue eyes would depress her. She could deal with a death of a relationship. The death of a dream was something different and she’d had that happen in her life already.

“Here you go,” she said, handing the bread to Jillian.

She took it with a smile, but it faded when she saw Serenity’s expression.

“What’s wrong?”

She shook her head.

“No,” Jillian said. “Tell me.”

“I just don’t want to think about certain things.”

“Certain things like a future with the guys?”

She shrugged and sat down again. “I learned a long time ago that hoping for things don’t make them come true.”

Jillian sat back and stared at her. “Just remember that sometimes things work out. That maybe, just maybe, the guys are exactly what you need.”

She wanted to argue, but Jillian’s determined look kept her from saying anything. She was close to tears and she didn’t know why. If she had to argue with the other woman, she might start sobbing.

“You’re right. Do you want anything to drink with that?”

“Water would be great.”

She went to get the water for Jillian and pushed her worries aside. There was nothing to be done about it anyway. She’d enjoy the moment with these two men and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.

seventeen

Mick grabbed his overnight backpack and followed Adam and Conner out the door of the private jet. It had been a long four days in Maui, but both he and Adam had made a good amount of money. One more week on another job in Kauai, and they would have enough money saved up for a vacation.

“It seems like we've been gone for weeks,” Adam said.

Mick nodded, knowing exactly what he had been talking about. They’d always had each other, and while they often took separate jobs, having someone waiting for them at home made a difference. Just knowing that Serenity was there waiting for them had his libido humming. It also warmed his heart. She had added a dimension to their relationship that had taken them by surprise.

“Next week you're going with Jake,” Conner said as they approached their vehicles. “I'm staying close to home for the next few weeks.”

“Yeah. I wouldn't want to deal with Jillian going into labor and you being on another island. Somehow, I think we might get blamed for it.”

Conner chuckled. “More than likely. See y'all later.”

“Sure thing.”

Mick climbed into the passenger seat as Adam started up the SUV.

They drove out of the airport up onto H-1 in the direction of Pali Highway.

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