Page 78 of Devoured By Peace

23

MIRANDA

“You said that?” I asked, chomping on a muffin.

“Yep. ‘Future brother-in-law.’ Lachlan didn’t even blink. He just smiled, as though it sounded normal.”

Lachlan had been the most relaxed I’d seen him in a while. We’d had a great night the previous night. When we made love, he was so tender and loving that it brought tears to my eyes.

“The party was great,” I said. “And it was nice to see Ollie playing the guitar. I thought Clarissa was going to cry. And Aidan too.”

Wearing a sad smile, Harriet nodded.

We were at a ritzy café in Malibu and planned to visit Juniper’s shop. An idea had come to me at the party—to host an exhibition of original worn art. When I suggested it to Juni, her face lit up.

“So do you stay over?”

Harriet took a sip of coffee. “Maybe. There’s talk of me moving into a cottage within the estate. I guess they want to see what happens.”

“What about Ava?” I asked.

“She’ll come, too, of course.” Harriet seemed bright and healthy, despite having had a few too many drinks at the party. “I’m here for a month. After that, who knows. Orlando might pitch one of his hissy fits and tell me to fuck off.”

“The last time we spoke, he was being uncooperative. And now suddenly you’re here.”

“It’s nuts. When Clarissa called the hospital and requested that I become their private nurse, I nearly fell over.”

“Who suggested it?” I asked.

“Orlando did. He asked for me. Or so Clarissa said.”

“Have you spoken to them about the time he stayed at our place?” I asked.

She shook her head. “He acts as though I’m his nurse. But…” She grinned. “He checks me out. Especially when I bend down toward him. He looks at my tits.”

“Can he get an erection?”

Harriet nodded, and her smirk grew into a wicked smile.

“You’re fucking kidding me. You haven’t, have you?”

“Nope. The pay’s too good for me to fuck it up. But when I wash him, his dick goes hard, and it’s challenging for me to remain unaffected, as I normally would be. Being a nurse, I’ve seen it all.” She raised an eyebrow.

“I bet you have. I don’t know how you do it. All that vomit and shit.”

“You’re putting me off my breakfast, sis.” Harriet picked up her muffin.

“Sorry. But you two were pretty thick yesterday. I mean, you were by his side for the entire time. And I noticed he watched your every move when you chatted with Miles Chalmer, who’s good-looking, too. Hell, what do they feed these people around here?”

“Did he?” Her face lit up.

“Harry, you have to keep this professional. You could lose your registration. Imagine if his parents found out. They’re genuinely nice people.”

“Relax. Anyhow, this morning, he was awful to me. Didn’t even look at me. Only barked orders. He can be a total asshole when he wants to.”

“He’s probably distressed. The poor guy.”

She nodded. “That’s why I tolerate it. It’s common. God, if it were me, I’d bite people’s heads off.”

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