Page 130 of Owen North

After I finish with that table, I glance around the room and take a moment to catch my breath. My eyes land on Adeline who is waving at me to come over.

I’ve filled a table with Owen’s and my friends. Adeline, Jameson, Jenna, Beckett, Jack, Jessica, Poppy, Seth, Bradford, Cecelia, Dylan, and his date are seated at the table Owen and I will also sit at.

They’re happily chatting when I join them.

“This is amazing,” Adeline says, eyeing the room. “It’s all so beautiful, Charlize. Congratulations.”

“Thank you. Although, the candelabras are a danger. Don’t let anyone near yours.”

“Oh, I saw the fire. I’ve already told our people not to get too boisterous.”

Our people.

I like that.

A lot.

“Charlize,” Jenna says, motioning for me to come to her. “I want you to meet my husband.”

She introduces me to the man sitting next to her and I swear I’m looking into Chris Hemsworth’s eyes.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he says as he rests his arm on the back of his wife’s chair and leans into her. “Jenna tells me we’re all heading out to the Hamptons next weekend.”

Jenna’s smile blazes from her eyes as much as her mouth. “I can’t wait. Girls’ weekend with the boys along for the ride.”

Jenna invited Owen and me, along with Adeline and Jameson to hers and Beckett’s Hampton’s home next weekend. I’m as excited as she is. “We’re having a spa day on Saturday, right?”

“Of course,” she says. “The boys can golf to their heart’s content.”

Bradford, who’s sitting next to Jenna, leans across. “Did I just hear something about golfing?”

“Ooh,” Jenna says, “You and Cecelia should come for the weekend too. It’s a couple’s weekend in the Hamptons.”

“I’ll pass,” he says.

I meet his gaze, and after noting that Cecelia is deep in conversation with Seth who is on her other side, I say quietly, “You should come on your own. It’ll be fun.”

He considers that before saying, “Maybe.”

I grin. “I promise not to let Owen get too strenuous with our hiking beforehand. He’ll be at the top of his game for golf with you.”

“You and Owen hike during the week?” Jenna asks. “I would have thought Owen worked too much to find time during the week for that.”

Bradford arches a brow as he lifts his glass of whiskey. “These two hike like bunnies.”

Jessica joins in on the conversation from across the table. “Really?”

I shake my head at Bradford who is very amused with the conversation now. I then look at Jessica. “No, not really. Bradford is full of shit.”

Adeline nods her agreement. “It’s why he’ll make a great politician one day.”

I look down at Bradford and glance at Cecelia by his side, everything falling into place in my brain. That’s the reason for his dark-ages marriage.

“Where’s Owen?” Bradford asks. “It’s unusual for him to run late.”

“Oh, shit.” I pull out my phone to reply to Owen’s text. “He had a meeting. I guess it ran over.”

I tap out a text.

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