Page 21 of The Last Key
Her gaze goes to the dining room where Kennedy is sitting, headphones on and typing away on her laptop.
“I second that,” a voice drawls.
Gladys and I both look up to see Justin standing there, bag slung over his shoulder and a smileon his face.
For as long as I’ve known him, he’s looked like a Greek god. Tall, muscular, sandy blond hair, and the kind of smile that melts a woman on the spot. Most women, anyway. A few have been impervious to his charms. Kennedy, for one.
The three of us were inseparable throughout college, and even after, when we all lived in New York together. I’m glad he flew out while Kennedy is in town.
“What are you doing here?” Gladys asks, utterly thrilled. “I thought you weren’t coming into town until next week.”
His grin grows as he strides over to the desk.
“Dev told me Kennedy came into town early, and since I don’t have another modeling job until mid-June, I decided to come early and see my besties.”
“Did you really just say besties? I don’t think we can be friends anymore.”
“It’s a valid term. You are one of mybesties.”
Gladys laughs.
“Don’t encourage him,” I tell her.
“Hush, you.”
“She likes me better,” he teases. “It’s the accent.”
Justin grew up and currently lives in Georgia. Despite going to college in Chicago and then living in New York, he still oozes southern charm, and he knows how to use it. His easy-going attitude and love for attention makes him a perfect model, which was something I recommended he try when he was looking for a job in college. I’d been doing it since high school and had some connections. It was the perfect career path for him, and he makes an excellent living doing it. He found a home in the cover model industry and often appears on romance book covers. A couple of years ago, he parlayed that into audiobook narration, voicing cowboys and southern small-town boys.
“And he spoils me,” Gladys says happily as Justin slides her three new books—all with his face on the cover. She flips one open and sees that it’s signed by the author. “Signed? You’re too good to me, honey.”
“Never.”
“Suck up,” I cough.
“Shut up. Now, where’s my girl?”
I openly glare at him, and he laughs so boisterously his belly shakes.
“Aw man, you have it so bad for her. Are you finally going to man up and do something about it?”
Gladys laughs under her breath, and I sigh. I’m not in the mood to explain to either of them that Iamdoing something about it. Even if it’s not direct.
“Why don’t you worry about yourself?” I nod toward the dining room. “She’s in there, but good luck. She’s in her own little world.”
He chuckles and pulls out his phone, quickly typing out a text and sending it. Then he holds it out to me so I can read it.
Will you get your nose out of your damn computer and come give me a hug?
A second later, there’s a smack as Kennedy’s headphones land on the table. She flies out of her chair and dashes across the room, leaping into Justin’s waiting arms.
Jealousy shouldn’t flare in my stomach at their hug. I know nothing would ever happen between them, but damn it, I’m jealous of anyone else touching her.
Fuck, Justin’s right. I have to man up and tell her how I feel.
CHAPTER SEVEN
KENNEDY
