Page 21 of Wicked Grumpy Heart Doc

She thought back to her daughter’s demand to the Universe and mumbled out loud, “Chloe Christine, you little brat,” before heading outside.

****

Aiden

The female voice from his GPS announced, “You have arrived.”

He took in the classic Cape Cod-style house—appropriate, given the setting, and the Atlantic Ocean in the background.

He and Susan had talked about buying a summer house once they paid off their primary residence. Instead of a summer house though, Aiden purchased his current house, leaving Susan with the mortgage-free home. His life was not like anything he’d planned.

Take this weekend, for instance. He should be at a lake in Wisconsin with his family. Instead, some German guy was there in his place—fishing with his girls and fucking his wife—while Aiden was spending his holiday with people from work and sleeping alone, probably on a lumpy pull-out couch mattress in Steven’s office.

He knew he needed to check his attitude before he went inside. Steven had been kind enough to include him, and if he ever wanted to be asked back, he couldn’t be an asshole all weekend.

He let out a long breath before he got out of the car and gave himself a quick pep talk.

I’m lucky I have people who care enough about me to extend an invitation. I’m going to have fun this weekend.

There. Happy thoughts—aura fixed.

He laughed at his own joke, then his mind went to the hot hippy chick who’d said he had a negative aura.

Well, not everything can be fixed with happy thoughts.

Besides, he didn’t even know what an aura was, so he obviously didn’t believe in that shit.

After grabbing his duffel from the trunk, he walked up the steps to the porch and before he even rang the bell, James opened the door—a bottle of Sam Adams in hand.

“Hey, dude! Glad you changed your mind! Let’s get you a beer.” He motioned with his head toward the beach. “Everyone’s out back.”

Aiden held up his bag. “Where should I put this?”

James furrowed his brows. “I’m not sure where Steve is putting you.” He gestured to a spot next to a decorative bench in the front entry. “I’d just set it there for now until you know where you’re sleeping.”

“Where are you sleeping?”

“In a hammock on the patio.”

Aiden made a face. He was way too old for that shit.

James noticed his grimace and laughed. “I’m pretty sure you’re getting a bed. I volunteered for the patio. Since Hope and her friend are sleeping out there, it’s safer if I’m there, too.”

“I’m sure Hope’s friend is wildly unattractive, so that played no part in your decision,” Aiden drawled.

“Oh, she’s hot, and it absolutely was a major factor.”

He laughed at his friend’s forthrightness.

They walked into the gourmet kitchen, and James reached inside the fridge. Pausing, he asked, “Miller Lite, Blue Moon, Sam Adams. Pacifico, or Summer Shandy?”

“That’s quite the selection.”

“You should know by now that Steve doesn’t half-ass anything.”

That was true. It’s why he was a top-notch ER director.

“Shandy.”

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