Page 98 of Insta-Family (Forbidden Descendants 3)

“Relax,” she assured. “He’s super easy to talk to.”

I nodded, but tightened my grip on her elbow, anyway. “Don’t you dare leave my side.”

28

LUCY OLIVIA

Oh my goodness. But this hero-worship side of Vaughn was completely adorable.

My lips tightened with the effort it took for me to not smile openly over him, except wow. It did my heart good to see him looking so captivated. There didn’t seem to be a trace of grief in him at all.

As Vaughn and Tucker fell into a deep conversation, both of them forgetting I was even there, I wandered off to greet Maverick and Cress. Gray’s wife, Yellow, showed up not long after, and since her wedding had only been half a year earlier, they began asking her about flower services and photographers and caterers, which couldn’t hold my attention, so I turned to watch as someone started the song “Mi Gente” by J Balvin.

Cheering, the three Hart sisters started to dance around the living room together.

I bobbed my head to the catchy tune and was debating on whether to join them or not, when a voice called, “Luce!”

Spinning toward the sound, I found my cousin Haven rushing over. We hugged and screeched happily, glad to see each other before I glanced around asking, “Where’s that hottie fiancé of yours? Please say you brought him.”

Haven rolled her eyes. “He’s in the kitchen, talking about the housing market with Gracen. But, ugh, I don’t want to think about moving yet. I love our apartment. That’s where Wick and I got together and fell in love.”

“But it’s smack dab in the middle of a college town, and you both have graduated, so—”

“Oh, hush,” she warned, swatting at me. “I know. It’d be best if we found a true home. I’m just being sentimental. Now…” Squeezing my arm, she shifted closer. “Who’s the piece of man-candy you arrived with? Is that the uncle?”

“Vaughn,” I told her, rolling my eyes. “His name is Vaughn, and yes, that’s Ava’s uncle.”

“And your new roommate?” she asked, lifting her eyebrows suspiciously. “Mmm, girl. You’re doomed.”

“Shh,” I hissed, widening my eyes at her. “We’re not roommates. He’s my tenant, and no... It’s not like that, at all.”

“Yeah, I didn’t think it was going to be like that when I moved in with Wick either. Now, look at us. We’re going to be husband and wife in two freaking months.” She lifted her brows in challenge, and I groaned.

“This is not the same situation,” I stated from between gritted teeth. “At all.”

Haven grinned knowingly. “If you say so.” Then she elbowed me and pointed. “Oh my God. Check out Luke.”

I glanced over to see him standing nearby, idly sipping from a bottle of beer as he watched the Hart sisters dance. When Ayden, the youngest of the three, seductively ran her hands over herself and swiveled her hips before busting a move where she bent over, only to shimmy upright again, his eyebrows shot sky-high.

Haven and I snickered. “What a perv,” she whispered to me just as Chloe sidled up next to him, sipping on her own drink before making her presence known by tipping her head his way.

“Like what you see?” she asked casually.

Luke drained his bottle before glancing over at her to frown in irritation. As long as I’d known those two, they had never gotten along.

“What?” he grumbled. “They’re good dancers. Besides, she’s eighteen by now, right?”

“No.” Chloe shook her head, murmuring, “Ayden’s only seventeen.”

“Jesus.” Luke grimaced and shook his head, turning away. “I need another beer.”

As he stalked from the front room, heading toward the kitchen, Haven and I laughed, gaining Chloe’s attention.

She started toward us, rolling her eyes. “That boy’s going to get himself into deep trouble one of these days if he doesn’t watch it.”

“And I have a feeling you’re going to be the first in line to say told-you-so when he does,” Haven guessed.

“Well, he’ll deserve it.” Chloe sniffed before taking a drink and glancing around the room. Then she elbowed me as she lowered her bottle. “Wow, but Uncle sure is looking fine tonight. Mm-hmm.”

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