Page 70 of Scandalous

“Jesus. How did you get in here?” I ask him.

Santi smiles. “Holland let me in. She said you hadn’t been sleeping well, so I figured I’d let you sleep since I knew I couldn’t get back to sleep.”

I groan, “I forgot you’re a morning person.”

He chuckles.

Over the years that I’ve talked to the guys, I’ve probably learned the most about Santi. He loves his family deeply and loves living with the guys because he hates being alone. While Liam and Drake might be night owls, Santi is a morning person, with Ezra coming somewhere in the middle.

“I am.” He smirks. “So why aren’t you sleeping well?”

I shrug. “I guess it’s felt different now that I’ve slept with you guys.”

He moves closer, pulling me into his arms, hugging me to him. “That’s not going to do. How about I sleep with you tonight? After I take you on a date?”

My grin grows. “You’re staying?”

He nods. “At least for a few days. Then either Drake or Liam will switch out with me so I can go take care of some things for the party.”

I swallow hard.

The party.

They invited me before, but I turned them down. Even if they were to invite me now, would I go?

Ezra apologized and seems to be making an effort, but I’d feel like an asshole for showing up to Glow Down Under without knowing if he truly wants me there.

His words say he wants me, but his actions from before are still causing me to hesitate.

“What are we doing this morning?” Santi asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

I hold up my phone. “I was about to place a request for a ride to the store. I need to grab some groceries so I can make some content this morning.”

Santi shakes his head as he rinses his cup and sets it back on the counter. “No need for a ride. I’ll take you myself.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to interrupt your plans.”

“I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to.” He smiles down at me.

“Then I would love your company.” I smile.

Santi grabs a set of keys off the counter. “Come on.”

We leave the house and lock up behind us. Santi walks me to my side of the car and opens the door for me.

“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever had someone open my door for me before you guys,” I muse.

“Then you’ve been hanging out with the wrong guys.” He smirks.

“Maybe I have.” I wink as I slide into the car. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he says as he shuts the door.

I can’t help but watch Santi round the hood of the car and admire the way he looks in gym shorts, a white T-shirt, and a backward hat.

It should be criminal to look that good.

“So what are we making?” he asks when he gets into the car.

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