Page 62 of Cass

Before Harley can answer, I answer for her. “She does. She gets plenty.” Harley looks at me in question. “I have a sexth sense, remember?” Both girls laugh.

Harley raises her eyebrows with a small smirk on her face. “I suppose you do.” I give Reagan anI told you solook.

Reagan sighs. “Aunt Cass, now that you’re with Trevor, you better not stop telling us your stories. You know how much I love them.”

I give her a resigned smile. “I don’t know, sweetie. Maybe it’s time to pass the torch to my protégé. I think you’re up for the challenge.”

She shakes her head. “I’ve barely been dating. Owning a business is kicking my ass and taking up every minute of my time.”

I’m surprised to hear that. Reagan always makes time to go out and have fun. “It wasn’t always like that. What’s going on?”

“Have you heard of Daulton Holdings?”

“Of course. They’re one of the biggest companies in the world.”

“They’ve been hounding me to buy my business.”

“That’s wonderful news. You should be very proud of what you’ve built.”

“No, I’m not selling. Certainly not for what they’re offering. I pissed them off, so now they’re playing dirty. They’re trying to buy the building I’m renting so they can kick me out. They’re also messing with my suppliers. They’re trying to strong-arm me into a shitty deal. I won’t budge.”

I didn’t know any of this. “Have you spoken with Jackson? He probably knows the CEO.”

“I have. He said the CEO is dirty, but he’s likely retiring sometime over the next year or two, and his son is taking over. He said the son isn’t such an unreasonable asshole. We’ll see. I don’t know why they care about my small business so much.”

I smile at her. “They know a smart business concept when they see one. You should take it as a compliment.”

She shrugs. “I guess. It’s more of a pain in the ass than anything. I really hope the son leaves me alone or at least sweetens the deal.”

“It will work out. Don’t worry.”

Brody walks over to us. He lifts Harley as if she weighs two pounds, sits in her seat, and places her on his lap. He softly kisses her on the lips. “Hey, baby. I missed you.”

She stares at him with such love and affection as she runs her hands through his hair. I’m so happy for her that she found this type of love.

She asks, “Are the kids sleeping?”

He smirks. “Yes, even with the door banging going on in the bathroom.” We all smile. “Scott and Paisley are cuddled up. It’s very sweet.”

They start talking about the kids, but I look over at Trevor. He’s got everyone near him laughing. He’s the happiest person I’ve ever been around. It’s infectious. He makes everyone around him, including me, so blissfully happy. I don’t ever want him to change. He deserves to stay that happy.

I find that quality so attractive in a man. That and the fact that he looks like he could be a model. He’s honestly the sexiest man I’ve ever seen in my life.

As if hearing my thoughts, he looks right at me and gives me his devious smile. I wink at him. He motions his head toward the bathroom door. I give him a nod.

* * *

We arrivein Huntington Beach in the early evening. Jackson rented us all enormous suites in a five-star hotel. I appreciate that he has Trevor and me together. He has been surprisingly accepting of our relationship. I find myself wondering how much is him being okay with it, and how much of it is that he wants to keep Darian happy. I have a feeling it’s the latter.

The benefit is tomorrow evening. Since we’re all too tired to go out, Jackson said he’s going to order us all a bunch of pizzas, and then we can have a s’mores bonfire on the beach.

Brody recommends a good restaurant for the pizza. Jackson asks for requests. Most people say they’re up for anything but not Trevor.

He says to Jackson, “Get me a man pie, Dad.” Jackson smirks.

Reagan looks at him. “I’m afraid to ask, but what’s a man pie? I’ve never heard of that.”

Trevor, Hayden, Payton, and Jackson all crack up at their obvious inside family joke. “Well, sis, it’s sausage and pepperoni, of course.Bigsausage andbigpepperoni.”

---