Page 97 of Hot Girl Summer

“Hi sweetie, how’s it going?” she asks.

It’ so refreshing to see my mum looking so radiant and well-rested, like all of her worries have disappeared.

“Where’s dad and Kiki? I want you all here for this.”

An adorably wide grin spreads across my mum’s face. “Is this what I think it is?”

My mind races to diamonds, pretty dresses and flower arrangements, instantly dulling my mood. I moved in to the beach house with Danny pretty quickly, but I have to keep telling myself that any further commitment will happen when the timing is right. In the meantime, I manifest an abundant life for all of us, and it seems to be working.

“Just get them, please.”

A moment later, three beaming faces grace my screen. Kiki is still in recovery, but she hasn’t relapsed since she ended up in hospital over a year ago. She looks healthy and happy, and my heart bursts every time I see her glowing like that.

“We raised twenty-six grand for Beat.”

“Honey, that’s amazing.”

“Nice one, sis,” says Kiki.

“I’m proud of you, tesoro.” My father’s comment catches me off guard, lodging a lump in my throat. Mum’s eyes sparkle as she looks to my dad with approval.

“We’re all so proud of you,” she adds.

“Thank you, you have no idea how much that means to me, but I couldn’t have done it without Danny and all of you.”

I look up to see my Riviera man-snack leaning in the doorway, with a twinkle in his eye. My heart skips a beat, and I still can’t quite believe that this man is all mine.

“I have to go, but we’ll celebrate soon.”

I hang up, and Danny raises his eyebrows.

“Couldn’t have done this without me, huh?”

“I said what I said.” I make my way over to him.

“This was all your idea. Take the recognition,” he says.

“My idea,yourcontacts. The media would never have covered this story if you didn’t have contacts at the BBC. And Monty’s shout out on his Instagram live? That was a nice touch.”

“You did all the work though. I mean, I’m not complaining. Watching you in those poses can do things to a man. But twenty-four hours of it? I’m surprised I didn’t die of a heart attack.”

“Next thing you’ll be telling me you practice self-love to my videos.”

“I do…and I’m not ashamed to admit it.”

I scrunch my face and give him a playful slap on the arm, but he knows that his perverted alter ego is one of my favourite sides of the multi-faceted Danny Pearce.

“You know, you really should pay for your porn.”

“Why would I want that when I have my beauty and brains standing right in front of me.”

“Well, aren’t you just full of it?”

“Would you want me any other way?”

“I want you every…single…way,” I growl, biting his ear.

He claims my mouth, but before we get carried away, he retreats.

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