Page 87 of War

That smirk turns into a full-on grin as he hooks my pinky with his and presses his lips to my finger. “Pinky promise.”

Hannah taps her fingers against her phone screen with so much force I worry she’ll break it.

“You okay over there?” Lennox asks, her gaze bouncing between Hannah and me.

We’re seated in my office, going over last-minute details for the charity gala next week. The event will be held in the ballroom on the top of the Langfield Corp building. Since we are the venue, and we typically ask the venue to handle catering and serving, the location means even more work for us than usual.

Thank god for Lennox and her amazing attention to detail. I’m happy to rub elbows with donors and convince them to part with money they won’t even miss, but picking out linens and flowers has never been my thing. Lennox is much more equipped to handle all that, along with who’s who in Boston at the moment—and should be added to the guest list—and which musicians are hot right now since her family practically owns every industry in this city not already claimed by the Langfields.

Scoffing, Hannah drops her phone into her purse, then lifts her blue eyes to me. Even as she swears all is fine, I can read my best friend well. Something is very wrong. But if there’s one thing I know about Hannah, it’s that there is no way to pry even a single word out of her when she shuts down like this. “Outside of making sure the boys are on their best behavior, is there anything else you need from me?”

“I think we’ve got everything covered.” Lennox’s eyes light up, and she leans forward. “Did I tell you that Jake Keepers agreed to make an appearance?”

“Who’s Jake Keepers?” Sara asks, appearing in the doorway. She makes herself comfortable against the wall, iPad pulled against her chest, blue hair recently redone and pulled back in a ponytail.

Lennox swings her pink hair over her shoulder with a flick of her wrist. “The next big thing.”

We all laugh at her flair for the dramatics.

“Seriously. He’s got an album dropping next month, but his first single comes out tomorrow. With the buzz we’ll create announcing he’ll be in attendance this weekend, donors will be clamoring for last-minute invites.”

“So what you’re saying is that you’ve done all the heavy lifting when it comes to your job and mine?” I tease.

She smiles. “I still need you, snookums.”

“Yes,” Sara agrees. “You make us look good.”

My chest tightens at the sentiment, but I laugh it away. “I’m not so sure that’s still true. Speaking of party planning.” I straighten. “How does one plan for a party where her ex-boyfriend’s parents, who are also her husband’s parents, will be in attendance?”

“Awkward,” Lennox sings. “We should call Millie for this one. She’s good at awkward situations, considering her stepmother used to date her brother and her husband is best friends with her father.”

Hannah snorts. “That family is all sorts of special. I would love to be invited for family holidays one year.”

“You only want to go because you’re obsessed with Daniel Hall. Is it a mommy complex thing? You want to corrupt the youth and teach him all your devious ways?” Sara teases.

Hannah rolls her eyes. “Hall is pretty, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not teaching anyone anything. And I’m not attending a family function with the boy. If he were ever lucky enough to get near my pretty kitty,it’d be a one-time thing. I’m not falling in love with anyone, let alone our best friend’s twin brother.”

“Pretty kitty.” Sara practically wheezes with laughter. “I love that.”

I spin my chair and throw my body into it, trying my best not to freak out. My lunch with Tyler was good. Great really. But I’d be lying if I said I was excited about his birthday dinner tonight.

“Okay, ladies, our girl is spiraling,” Hannah says, rallying the troops.

I throw a foot down to stop my spinning and let out a sigh. “Things are strained between Tyler and Xander’s mother on a good day. And today will not be a good day. I’m not sure how I can make it any less awkward. And if the woman makes a single negative comment in front of our kids, I will actually lose it.”

Hannah’s entire demeanor softens. “Have I told you lately how proud I am of you and War? What you’re doing for those kids is nothing short of amazing.”

“It’s really not. We just love them.”

“And each other,” Sara adds.

I swallow past the lump in my throat. Sara is the only person in this room who doesn’t know about the marriage contract, and telling her now seems pointless. Though I’m not sure what’s going on between Tyler and me, it’s complicated and deep.

“Will Xander be there?” Hannah asks.

My heart stutters. Oh god, I hope not. I hadn’t even thought of that. “I don’t know.”

Lennox sits forward in her seat. “Have you heard from him?”

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