Page 82 of Nothing to Do

“You don’t hug me during sex, are you kidding? You’re too busy getting your kicks.”

“What else are you for, dear?”

“That special edition stream is looking more and more likely, Scroogey.”

A quiet laugh warmed the line. “Look, it’s no major secret Roman’s a twin. They don’t crow about it, but Struan doesn’t remain in hiding like a monster in the attic or under the bed. It’s been a few years since he and I were picking up women at the same time, but from memory…”

“From memory, what?” Roxie asked, barely giving the guy the time to draw breath.

“He tells them.”

Simple three word answer. Spoken kind of like they were idiots and, uh, okay, maybe they were a little.

“If I was Roman, I’d be more likely to tell people I was Struan.”

Roxie laughed. “Woman’s got a point. I know which guy I’d rather ride.”

“That’s touching, Lola. We should write it in this year’s Christmas card.”

Roxie gasped, suddenly pouncing to the edge of the bed. “We’ll send joint Christmas cards! Like the President and First Lady.”

“Yeah, because they’re the only other couple to send joint Christmas cards.”

“You’re snarky today, Casanova. Someone miss their early morning wakeup call?” Another knock on her door. “We’ve gotto go, baby. We’re popular over here. Love you!” Without giving him time to respond, she hung up. “Want me to answer the door?”

TWENTY-SIX

THE ANSWER TO THAT was a resounding no.

Anyone could be on the other side, but she wasn’t worried, not about anything except how her sister would scream if Mrs. Kyst-Lomond answered.

One guest behind, she opened the door, and, yep, this time it was Alessia. Time ticked down to the inevitable… She braced. The moment Alessia passed the bathroom to take in the whole room, she stopped, her chin dropped and… she screamed. There was something to be said for consistency.

“Right, Alessia, be calm,” she said, pressing her ear. “Alessia, this is Roxie, Roxie, Alessia.”

Usually, she’d include someone’s last name. Wasn’t so easy to do this time, she wasn’t sure where her new friend landed on the hyphenate.

Roxie set one hand on the bed behind her and offered the other to Alessia. “Charmed.”

“Your guy’s a biscuit.”

“And I eat him every night,” Roxie said, non-plussed.

“And you’re beautiful, super beautiful…” Alessia went around to stand in front of Roxie. “The way you guys met, and the engagement announcement… I watch your stream all the time. Likeallthe time. I couldn’t believe it when Jane and Knox got married so fast.” Alessia plopped herself on the bed next to Roxie. “Does Toria hate him?”

“Knox? Depends on the day of the week.”

“We never hear of them together. Like you and Jane are all over, you’re best buds, but Toria… We weren’t sure if shedidn’t like Zairn, but no, that’s crazy, she’s been in love with him forever.”

“Alessia!”

“What?” her sister asked. “It’s true.”

“It is true,” Roxie agreed. “Her and half the planet. If it wasn’t for Jane and Toria, I wouldn’t even know who he is.”

“Does Knox get jealous? When Jane spends time with Zairn?”

“You know, I’ve never asked him.”

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