Page 57 of Worlds Collide

“Yeah, thanks,” I say, sarcasm dripping from every word.

“Why are you being mean to Rich?” CJ asks, not judgmentally, but adorably curious.

“I’m not being mean?—”

“Because I told him he should text his brother and tell him I’m with him, so he doesn’t have a stroke at thirty because he’s so worried.”

“Ah,” is all CJ says and nods. But he doesn’t say anything else.

“What do you mean, ‘ah’?” I demand.

“I meant just that, ah. It makes sense that it would annoy you. And don’t growl at me,” he says, then sticks his tongue out at me.

“I didn’t growl,” I growl.

“You growled,” Rich says helpfully at the same time as CJ.

“You totally growled, Max.”

“Fuck,” I snap. Now Rich is gonna?—

“Max?” Rich asks, playing innocent.

“Shut up,” I mutter.

“It’s my nickname for him, because he acts like a doggie,” CJ explains,super helpfully.

“I changed my mind,” I shout over Rich’s laughter. “Take me to Carmel.”

“No backsies,” CJ sing-songs.

“Great.”

It actually is pretty damn great.

SEVENTEEN

CJ

It’ssix in the evening when we finally get to the marina of Como and find the sleek wooden speedboat I’ve been on so many times. We drag all the suitcases down the dock, then load them up with the help of Rich, who has much more balance and strength than Wolf or me.

Out of all the properties in the Clemson trust, this one is definitely my favorite, and it’s only going to be better now because I get to share it with Wolf.

And with Rich, who I’m coming to like a lot too. He’s the perfect bodyguard for Wolf, I realized on the plane ride, because he’s as much of a smartass as my... Wolf.

We get the most amazing sunset as our welcome, and I can’t deny I feel all kinds of smugness at the look of wonder on Wolf’s and Rich’s faces.

“You’ve never been here before?” I ask over the sound of the engine.

“No. Been to Milan plenty of times,” Wolf tells me while helooks around. “And Mom took us on vacation to Capri one summer. But never here.” The wonder in his voice makes me realize he’s completely off guard right now.

There are no walls up and I get to see the real him again. There have been a few glimpses here and there, but most of them have been during sex. There were a few minutes while we were battling it out on the tennis court, but he didn’t even talk during that. I could just tell he was enjoying the moment.

Exactly like he is now.

I feel strange staring at him, so I go up to Rich who’s driving the boat expertly and point him to the spot where the house is. Still a mile away, more or less, but you can make out the ten Cypress trees, all perfectly groomed, lining the waterfront of the property. They’re iconic here, and one thing the Clemson’s were good at was grandeur. Ten perfect-looking, ninety-foot trees will get anyone’s attention.

Thankfully, that includes Rich and he nods in a way that tells me he’s got everything under control now.

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