Page 26 of Perfect Satisfaction

“Because Brendan used what he did as inspiration to write his next hit.” The two of us crack up.

It’s a few days before Christmas and we’ve all convened at JB’s estate outside of London to celebrate the holidays. While we’ve rotated the where, we’ve always spent most of the month of December together—just as we’ve always done since JB and I turned nineteen and we both refused to return home on break from college. Neither of us wanted to return to our father, so we flew separately to Brendan and Dani’s. Now that West is gone, JB has insisted we “brighten up the bloody place before I set fire to it with a blow torch.”

“Did I mention I loved your column this morning? Jenna was all too happy to relay the details about her new outfit.” Dani grins.

“I’m stealing it from her closet.”

“Why won’t you let Em make something for you?”

I snort. “With what? A payment plan?”

Dani socks me in the arm.

Turning from her, I take another hit of the warm liquid before the words fall from my lips. “Have I ever said thank you?”

She tucks me back against her lanky frame. “For what?”

“For not being appalled at my little extracurricular activity? You have enough of the ‘press’ hounding you without being related to a member of it.”

“Truth?”

“Absolutely.”

“I was glad to see your father’s secrets spill out on more than one occasion. The—must we call him a man?—was a complete letch to me on more than one occasion. I didn’t have the heart to tell Brendan.”

My lips twitch. “That’s one of the many reasons why I enjoyed it.”

“I’m grateful.” She turns to face me and before she can delve into the other, I get the full force of her blond pigtails sticking out beneath kelly green silk spikes.

Laughter explodes from my lips. “Where did you acquire that atrocious hat?”

“Em made it for me.” Dani cheerfully mentions the name of her personal stylist and cousin-in-law, world-renowned designer Emily Freeman-Madison. Twirling, she shows me the distinctive markings of an Amaryllis Design original embellished in festive holiday colors.

Amused, I toast her with what’s left of my drink. “You may be the only person in the world wearing an Amaryllis Designs original elf hat.”

She winks. “No. In fact, at my request, she made one for every member of our family.”

“Let’s get real. I love the holidays. I’m game for anything. Brendan, you can sex your way into donning that after a night of loving. But yanking the stick far enough out of JB’s ass? Good luck with that.” I cluck my tongue, anticipating her disappointment.

“Trust me, they’ll both wear theirs. Willingly.”

Something in Dani’s tone causes my protective antennae to quiver. “Oh?”

Her eyes sparkle with more than holiday cheer—they’re lit with pure joy. I study her intently.

Dani is ridiculously gorgeous. Her face has graced so many magazine covers, I’ve lost track. She’s walked runways and every red carpet worth walking. Yet, she never glows this way except when I shout, “You’re—”

Her hand comes up and slaps over my mouth. “Shh! Not so loud!”

“Wendennoseshotsgo?” I mumble behind her hand.Brendan doesn’t know?

“No! All morning he’s been shaking his Christmas presents under the tree. I swear to God, he’s worse than the kids.” Dani’s exasperation is evident. “I’m afraid the box I hid in the branches will fall out with the way he’s blustering about. Worse yet, he’s recruited JB to help him.”

“What do you need me to do?”

“Lie. Tell him you’re considering dating.”

“Or maybe how I don’t plan on it? Ever.” My stomach pitches and roils at the idea. Despite the fact Arek apparently has no issue with it.