Page 28 of Just This Once

“I mean…” She winced apologetically. “If you didn’t exist, I’d do her. And I’m not even bi-curious.”

While he blinked, obviously not sure how to process that, Oaklynn pulled the phone from her chest to look at the picture again, tilting it sideways as she did. “I don’t think that’s actually a swimsuit she’s wearing, though. I mean, it looks more like a gold…bodysuit to me.”

“I don’t care what the fuck it is,” Keene claimed, possessively snagging his phone back and scowling at her before dropping his gaze to the screen to sigh dreamily. “I like it,” he announced, and he traced his finger over the phone with a loving caress.

Knowing full well no one was going to offer me a peek, I dug my own phone up and did a search for Xander Union myself. When I found the shot they were talking about, I pressed my lips together tightly and swallowed hard.

Yeah, no way in hell was Parkernotgoing to hit on her.

But I think Oaklynn was probably right too. Thathadto be a bodysuit not a swimsuit.

Gold in color, it had holes or tears or something along her ribs to show off more skin, and she wore it snugly enough to display her figure perfectly. Paired with it, she had golden thigh-high stiletto boots, a gold bracelet, and fingernails painted cherry red.

The shot was a side profile of her lying on her back as she pushed her hips up off the floor with one foot so the shape of her ass, tiny waist, and perfect breasts were the main focus.

The girl had to have some incredible abs and core muscle strength to hold such a pose.

She was a freaking goddess.

Snorting, I shook my head. “And you all callmetrouble.”

6

HOPE

So I stayed for supper at Archer House.

Since all ten of us couldn’t fit around the dinner table, they found an extra card table to drag in, where the Happys and the Bashfuls sat together. I made sure I got a seat next to Alec, which ended up being directly across from my charmingex-chauffeur.

Parker had refilled his highball and was taking a gulp as he waited for a dish to pass by. I glanced around at the others, thinking this felt strangely cozy and intimate, like a family’s Thanksgiving. They all seemed so comfortable with each other, and it was as if they’d momentarily forgotten that the dreaded Hope was in their midst.

Conversation lulled as we dug in, trying out the salad Hudson had whipped up along with his Brisket Surprise.

I swear, I was the only one who seemed even remotely surprised when I took my first tentative bite.

“Oh my God,” I yelped, covering my mouth with two fingers before snarfing down another mouthful. “This is really good.” I swiveled my gaze toward Hudson, who sat catty-corner across from me, next to Parker. “Wow, Sleepy.”

He shrugged humbly. “The ladies did most of the work. I just tweaked it a little.”

“Tweaked it, my ass,” Faith snorted from his right, where she was stationed at the far end. “We slaughtered this meal. You brought it back from the dead, baby.” Setting her hand on his arm, she turned to me. “Hudson’s such a good cook that the head chefandthe sous chef in this fancy new restaurant in town asked for him personally to join their kitchen brigade. And he still has another year left of college.” Sitting back, she lifted her eyebrows. “I mean, ifthat’snot the sign of a damn fine chef, then I don’t know what is.”

I smiled, impressed by her dedication and pride in Hudson’s accomplishments. That was the ideal other half, right there.

But a second later, I straightened. “New restaurant? Oh!” I glanced over at Parker. “Is that the place we passed on the way here?”

His gaze drifted lazily my way, and I could tell from the glaze in his eyes, he was definitely feeling the buzz of all the liquor he’d drunk. I wasn’t even sure if he was going to answer me, so it was a good thing Faith spoke up, saying, “It’s called V-Eleven.”

“Yes.” I pointed at her, remembering the sign, only to swivel my gaze back to Parker with a confused frown. “Why the hell didn’t you mention thatSleepyworked there?”

He sniffed out a bored sound, only to sarcastically drawl, “Oops.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering what the hell his problem was. He was even crabbier than usual.

“It’s only been open four months,” Faith was gushing. “And it’s already more popular than Gusanos, where Hudson was employed before. In fact—the two chefs I just mentioned? Two of Hudson’s favorite mentors, by the way—the owner somehow snagged them from Gusanos to be the two main chefs at V-Eleven.”

When Parker flinched, only to cover it with a drink, I squinted curiously at him before glancing toward the Sleepys. “Yeah, Dopey told me about Gusanos,” I said. “Andabout its owner’s daughter.”

Hudson shuddered in revulsion before performing the sign of the cross. “May she rot in jail forever.”

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