Page 103 of Until It Was Real

“I like your point of view.”

“You should. I’m always right.”

I giggle. I nearly startle at the sound. I didn’t think I’d ever giggle again after what happened today.

“Tell us. What’s this big secret you’re keeping?”

“Well,” I begin, before telling them all about my dead husband.

“Phew!” Blossom runs the back of her hand over her forehead in a dramatic gesture once I’ve finished. “I was worried you were going to say you’re leaving Smuggler’s Hideaway.”

I actually hadn’t considered leaving the island. Where would I go? It’s difficult enough to find one job but find two? I’m lucky to have the jobs I have.

“Why would she leave the island?” Paisley asks. “It’s awesome here.”

“And she has awesome friends here.” Blossom winks.

“And a good job.”

I groan. “A good job where I have to run into the ex I’m in love with every day.”

Blossom waves away my concern. “No need to worry. The Raider brothers are exceptional at avoiding women when they want to.”

“I guess I’m staying on Smuggler’s Hideaway.”

“Yea!” Blossom cheers.

“I think we should brainstorm some pranks we can pull on Rhett,” Paisley adds.

“You’re a dark horse. You appear all nerdy with your glasses and obsession with chemistry and then bam! You coat Eli’s office with red dye.”

“Trust me. He deserved it.”

“What did he do?” Blossom leans close to ask.

As Paisley tells the story of what a jerk Eli was, I sit back and enjoy myself.

I thought I’d found a family on Smuggler’s Hideaway. And I did. It’s just not the family I thought it was. Instead of Rhett’s family becoming mine. I created my own family. One I can rely on when my life goes to shit.

I thought my friends abandoned me when Adam’s secrets came out. I was wrong. Those women weren’t my friends.

I smile at Paisley and Blossom. These women are.

I’m going to be okay. Just as soon as Paisley explains how I can make red dye explode all over Rhett the asshole’s office.

Chapter 32

“Can I exchange my brothers for new ones?” ~ Rhett

Rhett

Islide the drawer closed but it gets stuck. I push harder until it slams into place with a whack. I mutter a few choice swear words under my breath.

Zane skips into my office. “Uh oh. Mr. Bossypants is in a bad mood.”

“I thought we agreed to call him Mr. High and Mighty,” Miles says as he strolls inside.

I scowl at them. “What do you want?”

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