Page 99 of Book Boyfriends
Per my younger brother, James is currently brooding in his guest room. Needless to say, it’s been awkward at Jackson’s, but where else is James supposed to go. As much as I’d like to knee him in the balls, I still have a responsibility for his safety. Even if he’s been careless with me, I won’t be with him. Jackson and Lars are on strict orders not to kill him, nor let him out of their sight. At least until after I meet with the witchcraft consultant tomorrow. Thankfully, Owen will be back from the catering gig soon. If anyone can ensure the peace, it’s him and his baked goods.
“I’m leaning toward brotherly intimidation of Georgia’s gentleman caller,” he teases.
“Why don’t you crawl into this bed to snuggle with me and Wentworth instead?” Hope bats her lashes.
“Are you using your feminine wiles to entice me to get in that bed with you, ignoring my brotherly duties?” He arches one blond eyebrow.
She holds up the remote control. “We can watchLaw & Order.”
“Temptress.” Laughing, he tosses his keys down on the bedstand and turns to leave. “I’ll make some popcorn.”
“How quickly he’s gone from being pined for to beingthebesotted one,” I snark with a playful lilt.
“I assure you, I’m equally besotted.” She sighs with contentment. “That was ten percent distraction and one hundred percent me wanting to snuggle with my hubby.”
“One hundred and ten percent… Overachiever.” I wink.
Saying goodbye to Hope, I grab my purse—which does have an ample supply of condoms—and head down to meet Davis. He’s going to pick me up at Hope and Rem’s front door.
“Davis,” I greet, opening the front door.
“Peach,” he murmurs, his gaze sweeps down my body, its heat rouging my cheeks. “You look so pretty.”
“Thank you.”
“God, calling a woman pretty sounds so cheesy.” He rubs his nape. “But it feels right with you. You’re probably the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen.”
“I like cheesy.” I don’t try to hide my giant grin and flushed cheeks.
“Good, because I may be your own personal cheese factory.” Mouth tugged up, he holds up a small gift bag. “I brought you this.”
“You didn’t need to…” I take the bag and a swoop flutters in my abdomen.
“I know, but when I was at the bookstore the other night, I saw them and thought of you.”
“You had this with you theothernight?” The flush on my cheeks deepens, thinking of his shopping bag bearing witness to what transpired against the back gate.
“Yeah.” His expression is unrepentant.
Digging into the bag, I pull out a small box. Inside are a pair of dangly earrings in the shape of bookcases. Giddiness invades every inch of my being at how adorable this is.
“I love them,” I say, taking out my gold hoops and putting in the earrings. “Thank you.” I rise to my tiptoes and plant a grateful kiss on his cheek.
“You brought my sister bookish earrings,” Rem drawls, coming up behind me. “Damn, I want to put the fear in you, but that might be the sweetest thing I’ve seen a boyfriend do for her. Keep it up.”
Shaking my head, I look behind my shoulder. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Not yet.” Rem pops a piece of popcorn in his mouth from the bowl in his hand. “The night’s still young.”
“It’s too early for labels.” I turn back to Davis.
“Yeah, I agree. It’s too early for labels.” Davis takes my hand. “It’s only five o’clock. Let’s see what happens by ten.”
“Oh yeah, I’m going to like him,” Rem says through a mouth full of popcorn.
It’s a short drive from Tustin to Irvine, where we’re going for dinner and a movie. It’s also where Davis lives and his company is located. He pulls up to a four-story red brick building that appears more residential than commercial.
“Where are we?”
