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Sadie laughs. “Nobody. And that’s the way it’s going to stay.” She sips her drink like she’s unwilling to say anything more.

And that’s when my phone buzzes. And then again. And again. I pull my phone out and try to look at it surreptitiously. I have four messages. All from West.

Your brothers have arrived. I’ve no idea why. I hate everyone here. – West xx

Trying to make small talk with your brothers like I haven’t done filthy things to you on every surface of our bedroom is interesting. – West xxxxxxxx

Jesse brought Bennett. And fucking artichoke dip. – West xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Remind me, why am I not at home buried inside of you right now? – West xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The amount of kisses he’s putting at the end of each message are like an insight into his psyche.

Chill. It’s going to be fine. You can bury yourself in me all night once we’re home. – Eden

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, GIVE ME A DAMN KISS! – West XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I swallow a laugh. The man needs professional help.

Here. x. Now go talk to your friends. I’m busy. – Eden

“Oh,” Autumn says, and I realize she’s reading our messages over my shoulder. I quickly lock the screen, but from the expression on her face, I can see she’s already read enough. Her eyes meet mine and she looks more worried than ever.

“He likes you,” she whispers, like it’s the worst thing to happen.

My stomach twists, because I hope it’s true. I want him to, and that’s the scariest thing in the world.

Because I don’t know what to do with that.

“Okay, is it just me or are we all out of tequila?” Skyler calls from the bar, sounding almost panicked. “Because if so, I’m invoking emergency procedures and opening the backup gin.”

“Gin works for me,” Sadie says, a grin on her face. “It always leads to the best bad decisions.”

My eyes meet Autumn’s again. This woman is going to fit right in. She already feels like an honorary Fitzgerald.

WEST

I’ve spent the last two hours checking my phone like a hormonal teenager. Every time Eden messages I get a stupid grin on my face. Or at least, I keep getting asked why I’m smiling so much.

Well it isn’t because I get to spend the night with you motherfuckers.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my boys. All of them. Even the ones who arrived without letting me know that my bro night with Parker morphed into a full-on whiskey around the firepit night complete with Hudson, Asher, Bennett, and Jesse – who are apparently friends now, and of course, Parker, who’s regaling us all with stories from his time playing professional football.

As everybody laughs at a punchline, I take another surreptitious look at my phone screen. And quickly write out a message to Eden.

Did you know that Bennett and Jesse are friends? How did they even meet? – West xxx

Yeah, I limit the kisses now that she’s actually responding, and also I don’t have a lot of time before I get called out for being on my phone.Again.

They’ve been friends since you gave Bennett the task to oversee the dock planning and he asked Jesse to consult with him. And you’d notice this if you weren’t always looking at your gorgeous reflection in the mirror. – Eden x

My gorgeous reflection huh? – West XXX

That’s what you got from my message? – Eden

She messages again a moment later.

Sorry, forgot the kiss you big baby. X - Eden