Page 46 of Mr. Swoony

We stare into the pool for a bit before returning to the kitchen. I like this girl power thing we have going on.

“I’d burn the house down if I wouldn’t get arrested for arson.” Kyleigh laughs, picking up the box on the table. “But…” She takes all the food containers from the fridge and opens them on the counter. “How long was your honeymoon?”

“Ten days.”

“This should be nice and ripe by then.”

Jade shakes her head and laughs. “Does Rowan know this side of you?”

“It’s what makes him fall in line.” She laughs. “Kidding.”

“Wait.” I hold up my left hand, slide off my engagement ring, and admire it one last time.

“You should keep it,” Jade says with a shrug.

“I don’t want it.” I place it on the counter. “Now he’s really behind me.”

We walk out of the house, and I lock up behind us.

Right before Jade pulls away, I take one last look, happy it’s in my rearview mirror. Tristan wants a Stepford wife, not one with her own opinions and desires. And I want more for myself than being a yes person.

Ruby lets us park in the alley outside Peeper’s Alley, and Rowan and Tweetie help us bring my stuff up, letting us finish in only one trip.

“Where the hell is my brother?” Kyleigh asks, hanging up the last of my clothes in the closet.

“I’m not sure.”

Jade runs her hand over the walls, looking as though she’s lost in some memories. “I loved this condo. Bodhi will be so happy you’re in his room.”

“Well, if he wants to see it like this, he better come soon because I’m redoing it this week.” I slide my boxes into the corner to go through later. “Where are Rowan and Tweetie?”

“Down at the bar.” Kyleigh rolls her eyes.

I hear the front door open, and we all step out of the bedroom.

“Oh, look who shows up right after all the heavy lifting is done. How convenient,” Kyleigh says.

Conor looks beyond his sister at me. “How did it go?”

He’d asked to go with me, said he could help with the moving, but I don’t want to become dependent on him while I’m here. Besides, if anyone from Tristan’s side was at the house when I arrived, that would have been a real mess.

“The locks hadn’t been changed,” I say.

“And no one was there?”

“I had her back if someone was. Relax on the bodyguard thing.” Kyleigh peeks into the bags he brought home.

Conor shuts them. “Mind your own business.”

“Flour? Sugar? My birthday already passed, remember? But sweet of you to want to make me a cake.” She slides onto a stool. “The boys are down at Peeper’s.”

“Shouldn’t your alarm be beeping that you’re too far away from Rowan then?” He arches an eyebrow.

I enjoy watching their dynamic with one another.

“Well, he fucked me so good last night, I’m sore, so I should probably keep my distance.”

He scowls and points at her. “That’s going too far.”

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