Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Heavenly shook her head. “He’s never said a word to me about that. But River has said plenty.”
Now her eyes bulged. “You know him?”
“Yeah. I’ve made one girlfriend since moving to LA. She just happens to be River’s sister.”
Her jaw dropped. “Seriously?”
“I’m afraid so.” Heavenly heard the clicking of heels and looked up to find a gorgeous brunette with killer sunglasses, a hot pink sundress, and an ever-growing baby bump sashaying in their direction. “And here she is. Hi, Raine.”
Jasmine stood and whirled, seemingly taken aback when River’s younger sister stuck out her hand. “Hi. Have I been wanting to meet you. My brother hasn’t shut up in weeks.”
The redhead gaped. “You know?”
“That you had a one-night stand with him? Yeah. Did I overhear you say that you ran out on him in the middle of the night?” Raine laughed. “Serves him right. Builds character.”
Jasmine looked Heavenly’s way, clearly not convinced she’d heard Raine correctly. “Are you kidding?”
“Not at all.” Raine took off her sunglasses, grabbed a nearby chair, and settled into it. “Women come way too easily to River. He needs to struggle a little.”
“Oh, my gosh. You have his eyes,” the redhead said, staring as she took her own seat.
Heavenly followed suit. “Doesn’t she?”
Jasmine looked overwhelmed or worried…something Heavenly couldn’t identify. “Does River know either of you are with me?”
“Of course not,” Raine assured. “Heavenly is too nice. She would never rat you out. And why would I make anything easy on my annoying big brother?”
At that, Jasmine smiled. “Why do I get the feeling you’re a shit stirrer?”
Raine didn’t answer, just turned to Heavenly. “See, she knows me already.”
Heavenly smiled. “You’re not exactly subtle.”
“Oh, well.” Raine shrugged, then leaned across the table to Jasmine. “Now tell me everything. Because River and Pike—not that they’re friends, anyway—have been at each other’s throats about you.”
The redhead blinked. “Why? Cullen and I aren’t involved romantically—”
“If he has his way, that will definitely change. And between you and me, he is a dirty, dirty boy. According to what I hear,” she added hastily. “I don’t know firsthand.”
But she’d seen it, Heavenly would bet.
Jasmine looked somewhere between trepidatious and confused about that. “And I haven’t seen your brother since that night.”
“It’s driving him insane. He says he wants to talk to you.” Raine raised a dark brow. “Yeah, with his dick. Men… I should know. I’m involved with two of them, so of course I’m pregnant.”
“Two men?” The redhead gaped, then stopped herself. “I’m sorry. I’ve just never…”
“Known anyone in a polyamorous relationship? Now you know two of us.” She gestured to Heavenly, then winced. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have outed you.”
Heavenly shook her head. “I hadn’t thought of a graceful way to say it.” And she hadn’t wanted to say anything in case Seth decided not to come home ever again. “It’s fine.”
“So you both have two boyfriends?” Jasmine looked shocked.
“Well, I have two fiancés now.” Raine flashed her giant engagement ring. “I’m betting Heavenly will soon…”
A few days ago, Heavenly would have agreed. Now, she had huge, flaming doubts. If Seth couldn’t even open up to her about his past, why would he ever want to make her his wife? And if he couldn’t bare his soul, why would she say yes? For now, she pasted on a smile and kept her mouth shut.
“And we couldn’t be happier,” Raine went on. “So, what kind of info do you want about Pike or River? I’ve known them both for years. Ask me anything.”
“How well do you know Cullen?”
“That name makes him sound so distinguished.” Raine snorted. “But he’s worked with one of my fiancés for probably five years.”
“Doing what? I thought he was just good at inheriting money.”
The question made Raine falter. She could out Pike on a lot of things, but admitting to someone else without his consent that he was in the BDSM lifestyle was a no-no. “He helps with…crowd management at my fiancé’s nightclub.”
Heavenly merely nodded in agreement and changed the subject. “So, is there anything you want to know? Raine really is the expert. I hope you don’t mind that she joined us.”
Jasmine shook her head. “I don’t usually like this much interaction with strangers, but I think you two could be a lot of fun to know.”
“She hasn’t lived in LA long and she doesn’t have any friends,” Heavenly filled in for her bestie.
“Now she has us.”
The waiter came by and asked Raine what she’d like to order. Since her stomach could still be iffy at times, she merely asked for a club soda with a twist of lime and dessert.
They talked some about the city. Raine gave Jasmine the lowdown on an awesome hairdresser in the vicinity. Heavenly shared what she knew about a good doctor near the hospital. And before they knew it, lunch had arrived. Lots of laughter went along with it. It was a nice interlude from worrying whether Seth would soon rip her heart out.