Page 71 of Let’s Be Real

“That simple.” He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “You may never get to be close to this baby, but you’re still Aunt Sammie to Jonah, Ruby, and Katty. They adore you because you’re funny, you play with them, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen you come without a little gift. So yeah, that side of your family, they’re idiots for not letting you in. My side isn’t going to make that mistake. You’re ours.”

“Nate.” Closing my eyes, I shuddered. “I can’t…”

With his lips against my temple, he said, “You can.”

A warning bell rang in the back of my head. This was too much. Nate was too sweet, and this felt so real I wanted to shove it all as far away from me as I could.

Because all I wanted to do was gather Nate and his goodness close, hold it tight in my greedy little fist, and never let go.

All I said was: “I’m too tired to think about this anymore.”

And Nate let me off the hook. “Go to sleep, Sammie.”

I yawned, pressing closer to him. “You too.”

As I drifted off, I thought if we kept falling asleep like this, tangled in each other’s arms, it was going to be a hard habit to break.

Chapter Twenty-five

Samantha

Adrian avoided flying commercial if he could help it. Pretty ridiculous, but since I often accompanied him, I couldn’t complain too much. He’d spoiled me flying private.

We were taking a trip to California to check out the location he wanted to buy for our second club. I was still on the fence, but Adrian was full steam ahead. He hadn’t said as much, but I figured this was his way of convincing me. We’d see the building, and he’d prove how perfect it was.

He was probably right. Sometimes I needed to be shoved in the right direction when I’d dug my heels in. I’d try my best to keep an open mind…but first, I needed to get to the plane.

I hurried to the waiting jet, juggling my overnight bag, coffee, and water bottle. Traffic had me running late, and I hated keeping anyone waiting.

I burst into the plane’s small, luxurious cabin, prepared to defend myself. As much as I hated being late, Adrian was a tyrant. But he was paying out the nose for this plane. Time was literally money.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” I pushed my sunglasses to the top of my head once the flight attendant relieved me of my bag. “Traffic was a nightmare, but I’m here.”

My feet stopped working when I found Adrian wasn’t alone. He had taken his favorite seat on the right side of the plane, and directly across from him, in the seat that was normally mine, was Nate.

“Oh…hi, Nate.” I swiveled to Adrian. “Nate’s here. On the plane.”

Adrian’s eyes widened. “He is?” Then he craned his neck to look at his brother. “When did that happen? How did you get here?”

Nate chuckled. “Snuck in with the snacks.”

When I didn’t move, Adrian pointed toward the chair facing Nate. “We can’t take off with you standing there. Sit down, Sammie.”

“I—” Was completely thrown off by Nate’s presence. That was the only reason I didn’t bark and act like a dog when Adrian ordered me around like one. I hated when he did that, and he knew it, but I didn’t have the wherewithal to snark back. “Okay.”

It had been a week since the night Kelly had shown up at my house in tears. For the most part, things had gotten back to normal. Well…my new normal of lots and lots of mind-blowing sex with Nate and random sleepovers. But no more emotional outbursts. No more tears or weirdly intense moments in bed. We were back to being friends with benefits.

Excellent, addictive benefits.

I took the seat across from Nate, tucking my drinks in the cup holders on my armrests. Nate raised an eyebrow, and I shook my head, though I didn’t know why.

“You’re going to California?”

“I am. Last-minute decision.” He nodded toward Adrian. “Ade mentioned he’d chartered the jet, and I’d invited myself along.”

“You did?”

“Yes.” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled at me indulgently. I must have looked as frazzled as I felt. “Roman and I have been in talks with a company in LA. I have a meeting with them this afternoon.”