Page 26 of Just Like That

I eyed Lark. She was always kind and impartial to the King–Sullivan feud despite being married to Wyatt. It was still a mind-fuck to remember that after years of disdain, our families were bonded by Duke and Sylvie’s marriage.

“I’ll think about it,” I lied.

No, the only thing I’d be thinking about is Hazel’s ass and how her tight black top was cropped too short. It was a sick hell knowing those matching bike shorts revealed that my imagination was nothing compared to the real thing.

NINE

HAZEL

“Now remember”—Icrouched to straighten Teddy’s already perfectly straight tie, a bolo tie this time—“just be polite, and if the food sucks, I’ll get you something later ... you don’t have totellsomeone their cooking is trash.”

Teddy’s lips twisted. “That wasonetime.”

I squeezed his shoulder and stood tall. Some deep yet untapped maternal instinct inside me wanted to ruffle his hair and pull him in for a hug, but I held back. My relationship with Teddy was still finding its footing, and I didn’t want to push him too hard or make him think that I was trying to replace his mother in any way.

Like when you kissed the father of her child.

Guilt racked me. I still hadn’t figured out what came over me. Maybe it was the way he quietly listened to me talk about Olive. Maybe it was remembering the sweet interaction he’d had with Teddy. Hell, maybe it was as simple as how ridiculously hot he looked without a shirt on.

Whatever it was, I’d officially lost my damn mind. I could hardly think about anything other than how, instead of pushing me away,he’d leaned inand fisted my nightgown as he deepened the kiss. He’d taken control in a way that was wholly unexpected and brutally hot.

I squeezed my thighs together and shoved the memory into a little box in my mind where I could take it out and use it to get off when I was sad and lonely.

Again.

I squinted up at the house numbers that matched the address Lark had given me for her aunt Tootie’s place. My knuckles rapped at the front door of the large farmhouse. The massive wraparound porch was stylishly decorated with plush seating and cozy nooks for enjoying iced tea on hot summer days. The large windows with tall shutters gleamed, and I sighed at how gorgeous the home was.

As a fellow influencer, I’d watched Kate Miller renovate her aunt’s farmhouse with her now-husband. It truly was a work of art. During the renovation, Kate’s Instagram had blown up, and she and her husband, Beckett, even had their own television show now. A flutter of nervous butterflies tickled my belly.

Keep it cool. Casual.

The front door to the farmhouse opened, and Sylvie answered with a smile and an adorable little boy on her hip.

“Hi! Come on in.” She shifted, allowing space for us to enter. “Lark mentioned you might stop by. We’re glad you could make it!”

Inside, the farmhouse was an open concept with the living room to the left and a gorgeous kitchen with a huge island to the right. From the back of the kitchen, a man walked through a doorway. He was tall and imposing with dark brows and a scowl. The little boy on Sylvie’s hip lit up as soon as he walked in, and the man’s face softened.

“I can take him,” the man said, already reaching for the little boy.

Sylvie smiled, handing the young boy over. “Thank you. Duke, this is Hazel. Hazel, my husband, Duke, and our son, Gus.”

I offered a polite wave and smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. This is my nephew Teddy.”

Duke nodded. “Nice to meet you. I’m going to head down unless you need anything?”

Sylvie beamed at her husband. “All good here.” She turned to Teddy. “Duke is going down to the speakeasy. Would you like to go with and see the secret entrance? Penny is already down there.”

Teddy looked up at me.

I nodded and smiled. “Go on if you want to.”

With a shy smile, Teddy followed Duke to the back of the house. As they disappeared around a corner, I heard Duke say, “I like that tie, man.” I bit back a smile.

“I should formally introduce myself.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Sylvie Sullivan, formally King. I’m JP’s sister.”

I shook her hand and smiled. “Nice to officially meet you. I never had the chance to thank you for your help when Teddy wandered off.”

She swatted the air between us. “Oh, it’s nothing.” She turned to follow Duke. “Come on. We’re having drinks in the speakeasy, and then we’ll enjoy dinner out on the back patio if the weather cooperates.”

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