Page 78 of Play For Keeps

“This is where I grew up, baby. My gran and gramps raised Sierra and me in that little old house,” Jake says as we pull up to the butter-yellow rancher that his sister moved into this past summer. “And right over there,” he says, pointing to a bluff at the end of the road, “is where I would cliff jump into the ocean. I’d climb up there and just leap off. Gran used to want to kill me she’d be so scared.”

“Always getting into trouble, even when you were little.”

His lips tip up in that delicious smirk that I love. “I plan on getting into trouble with you later on tonight.”

I swat at his arm. “That was so cheesy, but you look hot in this T-shirt, so I’ll give you a pass.” Jake knows I like it when I can see his tattoos. He is well aware of how much it turns me on.

“I know. I wore it for you.” He takes two steps towards me, cradles my face, and slowly brings his lips to mine. “You look beautiful. I can’t believe you’re mine.”

I sigh heavily. “There’s no need to butter me up, Jake Matthews. I’m a sure thing tonight. Now, let’s go inside before we cause a scene.”

“The lovebirds are here,” Grayson hollers to the room as he greets us in the entryway. All eyes turn our way, and I feel momentarily overwhelmed. I smile and then look up at Jake, who slips his arm around my waist and squeezes lightly. I’m relieved when Sierra appears at our side, a familiar face.

“Everly! I’m so glad you’re here,” she says, pulling me into a hug. “Oh, and I guess you too, Jake.”

She grins at her brother and then loops an arm through mine and starts making introductions.

I meet Tucker first, then Holden, and I’m taken aback at how handsome they both are. Holden is pretty with his perfectly styled hair and ocean-blue eyes, while Tucker is more rugged-looking. They’re both really sweet, telling me how they’ve been pushing Jake to meet me.

Next, I’m introduced to Beckett and his wife Jules. Sierra and Jules work together at the hotel, and I can tell right away that they’re close. Beckett asks about Birdie, and how she’s enjoying Reed Point. He and Jules have a daughter too, he says, though she’s a bit younger. His eyes light up as soon as he mentions her. Jake told me about Jules and Beckett this morning over breakfast, as he gave me a crash course in who I would be meeting tonight. The two of them work for competing companies, which I guess caused some complications in the early days of their relationship. It all worked out in the end—I can tell from the way they look at each other that they are head-over-heels in love.

“Okay, all of you,” Sierra says, taking me by my elbow. “Let’s give Everly some space. We don’t want to freak her out.” She winks at me, and then leads me to the kitchen, Jules following behind us.

I take a seat at the bar, and Sierra slides a glass of wine across the kitchen island to me.

“Thanks.” I take the glass, feeling more comfortable than I was expecting to.

“I’m so glad you two finally get to meet. I’ve been telling Jules about you for weeks,” Sierra says, raising her wine glass. “Cheers! To new friends.”

We clink glasses, and then Sierra sets out a few appies.

“So,” she says, leaning against the island. “I have so many questions! We didn’t really get a chance to chat on our own the night we met.”

“I might need more wine for this,” I joke, before taking a sip from my glass.

“Oh, there is plenty more where that Chardonnay came from,” Jules chimes in. “Sierra has been waiting for this moment.”

“Seriously, traitor,” Sierra says, glaring at Jules. “I admit, I’m a little excited. Jake hasn’t brought a girl home since… well, it’s just been a while.”

“It’s okay,” I reassure her. “I know all about Jade. He told me about her.”

“Sorry, that slipped. I shouldn’t have brought her up. It’s just good to see him so happy again. Jake doesn’t let many people in.”

“I know. And I definitely get it. I guess we’ve both been afraid to get hurt again. That and the age difference,” I confess. “It took some time to wrap my brain around it.”

“Really? None of us have batted an eye about that,” Jules shrugs. “Well, except for the guys congratulating him and giving him high fives. Guys love the idea of an older woman.”

I take another sip of my wine, trying to hide the fact that I’m sure I’m blushing. Thankfully, the subject changes to Jules and her brothers. As I listen to Sierra and her chat, the puzzle pieces start clicking together and I realize that she’s a Bennett, the wealthy family Violet told me about at Catch 21 the night I ran into Jake. He was having dinner with Liam, Jules’ brother. Her other brother is the ridiculously hot Hollywood star, Miles Bennett. I’m dying to ask her about him, but I manage to resist. I’m sure she gets tired of fielding questions about her movie star brother.

I glance through the sliding door, where my eyes find Jake’s. You okay? he mouths. I smile and nod, and he winks. Jake is thoughtful and caring and everything I’ve ever wanted in a man.

“Gosh, you two are the cutest ever,” Sierra says, noticing the stupid smile on my face. “And wait until you meet Birdie.” She looks at Jules. “She is so freaking adorable, and her and Jake are so sweet together. My dumbass brother better not fuck things up.”

My chest tightens. My heart will be broken when I move back to Brookmont, and so will Birdie’s, and it will be all my fault. I try to hide the wave of sadness I feel, but Sierra notices my sudden shift in mood.

“Oh, are you okay?” she asks, reaching across the island to squeeze my hand. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, not at all,” I insist. I’m not sure how much I should tell them. It seems weird dumping my problems on them when we’ve just met. “Sorry. I’m okay… My ex is just making things difficult.”

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