Page 119 of Beyond the Hate

My nostrils flare and I fist my hands at my hips. “Because a woman can’t handle bringing a present? The Middle Ages are calling. They miss you and your misogynistic ass.”

“I’m not misogynistic. I’m a gentleman.”

I snort. “Do you even know what the definition of gentleman is?”

“It’s a man who carries things for a woman and opens her door for her.”

I open my mouth but I have no retort. His answer was actually kind of good.

“Whatever. Carry the present inside. I don’t care. I was doing the Raider brothers a favor.”

I start to stomp off but he hollers my name.

I whirl around. “What?”

He nods to the door. “Can you open the door for me?”

I jerk the door open with such force it nearly whacks me in my face. I have to hold the door with both hands to stop its vibrations.

Rhett smirks as he passes me. “The door came up and nearly bit you, did it?”

“You forgot to say thank you, Mr. Supposed Gentleman,” I holler after him.

He flicks his hand. Is that supposed to be a thank you? I don’t think so. And he can stop showing off how strong he is now. Holding the box with one arm. Why are jerks always the most sexiest men?

I follow Rhett into the ballroom and my jaw drops to the floor. Holy mermaids in the sea! This is awesome.

I don’t know where to look first. There are old whiskey barrels and mini wooden crates filled with vintage-style rum bottles scattered around the room. The tables are decorated with shimmering tablecloths that mimic ocean waves. And the ceiling is lit up with a million twinkle lights.

“Pretty cool, isn’t it?” Blossom says as she throws her arm over my shoulder.

“It’s amazing.” I scan the room. “Where’s your boss?”

She waggles her eyebrows. “Probably the same place your boss is.”

“I’m happy for Paisley and Eli but I hope I never walk in on them accidentally again.” I shiver. “I do not need to see my boss’s naked ass.”

She scrunches her nose. “I don’t know. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of a certain Raider brother’s ass.”

“Jaxon is still avoiding you?”

She sighs. “Yep. He’s not very stealth about it either. I walk into a room and he turns around and walks out. He actually walked into a wall once. He just stood there for a minute. I think he was pretending to be invisible.”

I giggle. “I can’t believe you managed to kiss him in the first place.”

“I have magical powers.” She winks.

Chloe skips toward us. “What are you two whispering about over here?”

I know better than to answer. Chloe is super nosy. I motion to the gift table. “We’re guessing what’s in the big box from Eli’s brothers.”

She rubs her hands together. “I hope it’s a prank. I was forbidden from pulling a prank today.” She pouts. “Nova and Maya are no fun.”

I elbow her. “You’re just mad two of your drinking buddies can’t drink.”

She grins. “But you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding, are you?”

I open my mouth to answer but Rhett shouts before I can. “What the hell? You’re pregnant?”

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