Page 16 of Mr. Arrogant

“Only for a few hours,” Alana said, nudging her husband. She turned her attention back to Sofie. Slight disappointment filled her eyes. “So you weren’t fibbing.”

“About what?” Sofie frowned.

“Not inviting your um…newfound vacation friend.” Alana slow-blinked her magnified eyes behind her stark-white frames.

“I said I wasn’t.” Sofie became slightly flustered, glancing at London.

He chuckled and turned away, flagging down a bartender. Sofie’s cheeks warmed at the notion that he knew she was having a vacation fling with someone. She flicked her gaze to him before glaring at Alana who just casually shrugged.

“I’m sorry. I told him you’d found a friend here.” Alana sheepishly picked at an invisible piece of lint on her long maxi dress.

“Why didn’t you invite him? Embarrassed of us?” London tossed out over his shoulder.

The woman working the bar arrived and took their order. Sofie asked for a glass of wine. Tonight would not be a night she would want to have heavy liquor. There would be no telling what would come out of her mouth if she was drinking-drinking.

“Of course not,” Sofie sputtered. She would never be ashamed of her friends. She and Alana had been friends for so long. They knew everything there was to know about each other—the good and the bad. It was just a complicated situation.

“Where is you know who?” Sofie leaned against the bar and tried to appear irritated. She had taken notice that London’s twin was nowhere to be found. She casually peered around the restaurant, trying not to appear so suspicious.

The restaurant was suspended over water with an incredible view of the mountain off in the distance. It was very classy, and immediately, Sofie knew she was going to be in for a fine culinary experience. There were such rave reviews about the French and Polynesian dishes. The aromas in the air had her mouth watering.

“Oh, he’s coming. We’ll be seated once the entire party is here,” Alana replied.

The bartender returned with their drinks.

Alana passed Sofie’s glass to her. She jerked her chin to behind Sofie’s shoulder. “Behave tonight, please.”

Goosebumps appeared on Sofie’s skin. It tingled, and she sensed an invisible caress along the curve of her spine. Her body only responded this way when he was around her. Jaxon was near. She raised her glass to her lips to hide the small smile that threatened. She turned and froze in place.

Jaxon was dressed in a tropical-themed, short-sleeved button-down shirt, and tan shorts revealing the sprinkle of hair lining his calves. His dark hair was brushed back away from his face as if he had combed it with his fingers. But it wasn’t Jaxon’s cocky grin that held her attention.

It was the long-legged blonde woman holding on to his arm.

Jaxon felt the daggers from Sofie’s eyes and refused to look at her. He placed his hand on the small of Bindy’s back and guided her over to London and the girls.

“You finally made it.” London finished his drink and set the empty glass down on the bar behind him. “I thought I was going to have to send a search party for you.”

“Yeah, I got your text. For some reason my phone didn’t have reception,” Jaxon replied.

London pulled him in for a hard hug with a loud slap on the back.

“You haven’t changed,” London murmured near his ear.

His brother stepped back and tossed him a wink.

London offered a hand to Bindy. “Hello there. My name is London. I’m the older, more good-looking twin.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Bindi giggled, taking his hand.

Her laughter was like nails on a chalkboard. Jaxon held back a wince. He moved back to Bindy’s side and motioned to Alana.

“You may be older, but you are certainly not good-looking,” Jaxon teased.

They were identical genetically. There were small things that made them stand apart. His parents were always able to tell the difference between the two of them. Everyone else, they reigned terror on. There were many times they had switched places and no one had known.

Bindy moved back to his side.

Jaxon motioned to the girls. “This is London’s wife, Alana, and her friend, Sofie.”

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