Page 48 of The C Agreement

“Hey, asshole. Who the fuck are you texting over there?”

Without looking up, I flipped him the bird.

Me:Oh, hey. I just got invited too. See you there.

Thankfully, my house was closer to her parents’ than her work was. Same with Beau and Em.

I looked up at my best friend and gave him a cocky smile. “I’m texting your sister.”

“Ha-ha. Very funny. Who you really textin’?”

Your sister. “None of your business.”

Em grinned. “I bet it’s the woman he’s been forced to sleep with since you made the bet with him.”

Beau smiled cunningly. “Oh yeah. Are you ready to call it quits yet?”

“Not even close,” I said with satisfaction. Because I didn’t have to force myself to do anything when it came to Rayne. “I’m going to win, so you’d better get ready to put in your notice at work.”

Beau opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Arthur Thompson walked into the living room. “Rayne will be here in ten minutes. Remember, everyone was invited at the last minute.”

His son rolled his eyes at him. “Yeah, we know. It was my idea.”

“Don’t get mouthy with me. I’m not the one who forgot.”

“Because you never invite anyone,” Beau pointed out.

Arthur shrugged. “I don’t get in trouble either.” He spun around on his heel and left.

“If you ever turn into your dad, I’m divorcing you,” Em told Beau.

“And I’ll donate to her lawyer fund,” I said.

* * *

RAYNE

“Oh, hey,” I said, stopping when I saw Beau, Em, and Cade sitting in the living room. “You three look like you’ve been here awhile.”

Em and Beau exchanged looks, but before I could ask what was happening, my mom rushed into the room and pulled me into her arms.

“I’m so glad you’re here.”

Since my arms were trapped under hers, I awkwardly patted my mother on the back. I looked at my brother over her shoulder, but he just shrugged.

“Thanks, Mom. You know it hasn’t been that long since I saw you.”

She stepped back and squeezed my biceps. “I know, but I just love you so much. You know that, right?”

“Are you sick or something?”

She laughed. “No.”

“Is Dad?”

“No. Can’t a mother just be happy to see her daughter?”

“Sure.”

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