Page 83 of Just Like That

JP pressed a hand to his chest. “Words hurt, Hazel.”

A laugh burst out of me, and the corners of his eyes scrunched as he laughed along with me.

“Nah, you’re actually right.” JP’s smile was striking and my breath hitched. “I was a last-minute addition.”

I swallowed down the hit of desire that creeped up, and I looked around for Veda, Sloane,anybody. “So ... where’s the group?”

He lifted a brow. “You mean Mr. Attwater?”

My eyes went wide and my voice was nowhere to be found.Was he ...jealous?

The muscles near JP’s jaw flexed, and I could have sworn he was biting back a wicked smile. “He couldn’t make it.” JP shrugged. “I subbed in.”

I narrowed my eyes at him—there was more to that story—but a heady rush of relief flooded my system. To be honest, I’d been dreading the idea of having to endure a night with Charles. Everyone swore it wasn’t a date, but with the rest of the group paired up, it was hard to not feel like it wasn’t, at least in part, a setup.

“Huh, that’s too bad,” I teased, discreetly eyeing him again and chuckling at how the universe is always a tricky minx.

After everything, I still ended up paired with JP. Go figure.

Royal’s cheerful laugh boomed behind us. Together we turned and collectively lost our composure.

He was dressed in a pair of floral swim trunks that were several sizes too small. His tattooed thighs stretched the leg openings, and they were so tight that he was walking funny. On top, his shirt was a ratty fisherman’s vest with nothing underneath but muscled, inked skin. He even wore a bedazzled pink, child’s-size cowboy hat.

Behind my fingers, I whispered to JP: “Did you pick that out?”

He shrugged and grinned. “It’s not my fault there wasn’t anything that would fit him. Plus, he deserved a little payback.”

Royal pulled us both into a hug. Veda walked up behind him. She was stunning, of course, even in a Christmas-themed sweater vest on top of what looked like a prom dress from the nineties.

Sylvie’s laughter quickly followed them. Duke looked sufficiently grumpy in a snug, baby-pink T-shirt and a pair of too-short, pink plaid pajama pants. With a giggle, Sylvie grabbed his broad shoulders to turn him around. We all laughed when we readHeartbreakerin pink glitter letters across his backside.

Sylvie was in the outfit I had picked out for her—a floral muumuu with matching shower cap and fuzzy slippers.

“Oh my god, I have to get this.” A flash caught our attention as Sloane laughed and took another picture. She motioned with her hands. “Go on, stand together.”

Royal stepped forward, stretching out his arms, and when he spread his legs to lower himself into the front row, he ripped the seat of the swim trunks. We doubled over in a fit of laughter as Sloane captured the moment. The gaping hole in his swim trunks revealed neon-green boxer briefs underneath.

“Do you need to change?” I asked through a giggle.

“Nah.” Veda slapped his ass. “Can’t be any worse than it already is.”

He growled in her ear, pulling her close. She giggled, and whatever he whispered to her made Veda blush.

I could feel my cheeks heat, so I turned to Sloane. “You’re sure you’re okay with Teddy staying the whole night?”

She grinned. “Perfectly. The twins are so excited.”

I exhaled. “Okay. You have my number if you need anything.”

“Go on,” she said. “Have fun. Besides, Abel had to practically keep JP from putting his fist through Charles’s face, so ... you might as well enjoy it.”

I blinked at her and glanced at JP, who was chatting with Duke and Royal. I moved closer to whisper. “Wait, what? I thought he only stepped in because Charles couldn’t make it?”

Sloane’s eyebrows rose as she pretended to lock a key over her lips. “Have fun,” she singsonged and turned toward the kids. Stunned, I stared at her back as she walked away.

I turned to find JP staring directly at me like his next meal and swallowed hard.

Friends.

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