Page 61 of The Beautiful Mess

“We got along great until I caught my husband in bed with my cousin,” Dom told him. “You can imagine the explosive reactions in my family when I went to war with my cousin, and my mom took her sister to the mat.”

“Oh, Dom,” Keegan said. “I’m so sorry.”

“I want to say it’s all water under the bridge, but it would be a lie. I’m over the failed marriage better than I thought I’d be at this point, but I’m struggling with my cousin’s betrayal.”

“Who wouldn’t?” Kerry asked. He tightened his grip on Keegan’s hip and sent a scathing look in Seth’s direction.

Keegan scoffed. “As if.”

Kerry nuzzled his nose in Keegan’s hair and nipped his ear.

“That’s the shit I’ll get to look forward to over the holidays, except it will be my ex loving up on a guy I loved like a brother.” Dom sipped his beer.

“Why are you even putting yourself through that kind of heartache during the holidays?” Kerry asked.

“My nana isn’t doing very well,” Dom said softly. “You know how much I love her.”

“I thought she’d outlive us all,” Kerry said.

“I wish that was true, but Mom thinks this will be her last Christmas. She wants everyone to suspend their animosity for two weeks so she can have the most amazing holiday ever. My aunt and uncle rented a huge chateau in Vail, and Mom expects me to go. I can’t let Nana down, but I don’t want to be the only single loser getting pitiful looks every time my ex-husband and his new lover go up to bed for the night.”

“Man, that’s rough,” Kerry said.

“Take Sven!” Keegan blurted.

Kerry’s eyes glittered with glee. “That’s a great idea.”

Dom looked over at Sven, who made lounging on a couch look sexy. “I don’t know.” Dom turned back around and sipped his beer. “Some of my family members are pretty uptight. Sven’s outfits wouldn’t go over very well.”

“I’m sure he’d wear something more conservative if you approached the subject in the right way,” Keegan suggested.

“Hell no,” Kerry said. “Sic Sven in his full glory on the pretentious assholes. No one who has been hurt as badly as you were would ask you to shack up with your ex and his lover for two weeks. That is selfish and inconceivable. Sven would love to help you teach them a lesson.”

Kerry took out his phone and typed a quick message. Sven looked at his phone, quirked a brow, and headed toward them.

He raked an ardent gaze over Dom. “Kerry said you need me.”

Dom’s cheeks turned pink as he fidgeted with the label on his beer bottle. “I could use your help with a situation.”

“Ohhh,” Sven simpered. “Undercover for another case?”

Dom swallowed hard but held Sven’s gaze. “This is personal.”

“You’d get a two-week trip to Vail at Christmastime,” Kerry said. “Dom, lead with the selling points first.”

“Color me curious,” Sven said. “Tell me more.”

Kerry’s teasing seemed to loosen Dom up because he didn’t have any difficulty explaining the situation. Sven’s interest was piqued with each new twist and turn.

“Sounds fa la la la fabulous, baby. I’m in.” Sven hooked his elbow through Dom’s and pulled him away. “Let’s work out the details someplace quieter.”

Keegan and Kerry watched them until they disappeared from sight. “Did we make a mistake?” Keegan asked.

“Hell no,” Kerry said. “They both deserve this.” Usually people uttered that phrase in a snide tone, but Kerry sounded blissfully happy. “What? You don’t agree?”

“I’m trying to figure out what’s behind your joy. Is it the chance for Dom and Sven to find genuine love, or are you anticipating the fireworks this will cause?”

“Both.”

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