Page 53 of Late Nights & Love Lines
Seren is growing attached already. The boys don’t stop talking about her. And Pappy? Well, he’s as happy as a psychic watching their fortunes come true because this is what he’s wanted since we were kids.
But how do you get a runner to stay?
Closing my eyes, I let my head fall to the porch swing with a dull thud and use my feet to sway in time with the waves breaking on the shore. The calming effect of the ocean hits the second I allow myself to acknowledge it—the gentle waves, thesalty air that always feels a bit thicker at night, all of it peaceful without the seagulls of daytime stealing its beauty.
My phone chimes with an incoming text, and I reluctantly open my eyes. A harsh bark of laughter surprises me so much the porch swing crashes into my calves.
The notification reads:Elijah named your group chat Band of merry fucking meddlers.
Opening the text thread, I reply immediately.
Me:Is this a joke?
Elijah:It’s a good name.
Beck:We have a plan.
Elijah:It’ll kill two birds with one stone.
Leo:I’m here for the show, but I set up the cove just in case.
I groan and rub my temples.
Beck:Tell her you need seven more days.
Alexei:Seven days in seven cities.
I’m going to regret this.
Me:What are you talking about?
Beck:At the end of her contract, tell her you need her help winning back seven investors in seven cities.
Elijah:It’s sort of true. And you’ll spend quality time alone with her, while also securing these fuckers Nick was hand-feeding bullshit to.
Me:I’m not sure that’s a good idea. And it’s not even a little bit true. The seven investors we need are all in two cities, and I’m pretty sure she’d never go for it anyway.
Me:Also, it’s a little creepy that you’re all conspiring against her.
Beck:Not against her, for her. We care about her, and we care about you for some reason. There’s a difference.
Me:I’ll think about it.
Beck:Either way, you need to go. The events I’m sending you to will be better suited for a date, but asking Rowan is your decision.
Leo:We’ll all help with the kids while you’re gone.
Fucking perfect. This isn’t exactly what I had envisioned when they said to extend her stay. What happens if she won’t come with me? Would she stay with the kids?
Pocketing my phone, I flop against the porch swing again and attempt to reclaim the calmness the waves had given me moments before.
Rowan’s voice carries out through her open window. I gave her privacy by coming out to sit on the porch, but there wasn’t a chance in hell I was leaving here without her.
I can have compassion for the guy and still hate him for his shit timing. It sounds as though Thane has his hands full with a teenage sister who is seriously fucking with him. I’ll have to get her name and keep her far away from Seren. That’s the last thing I need.
My mind drifts to Seren and Rowan’s conversation from earlier. My daughter confided in her so easily, but she’d never have done that with me. Not because she doesn’t trust me, she does, but because while I can sympathize, I can’t relate to what she’s going through.
It’s as though Rowan was sent here just for us. Perhaps Pappy is on to something with his theories on destiny.
