Page 219

"Quit lying, prat." Harper frowned at her and she laughed.

"Fine. Harper saged." Sali turned to me again, ignoring her sister who continued her fit of pouts. "But it's all good. Television is hooked up, too."

"She's gonna love it." I grinned while considering Nora's reaction. "Can't believe you did that though, divided the sides."

"It's a giant space with hardly any use. Now, we've got a full gym, a long storage area, and your kinkster space. With Ben and Katie officially next door soon and Harper's belly bursting with a kid, we figured it best get everyone where they need to be."

"Your ex might've been a handful, but she picked out a great house." I laughed when I said it, and Sali shook her head.

"Gotta say one thing in her favor. Mercy has a taste for real estate." She smirked and dropped her head back on the cushion.

"Where'd you move the ice bath to?"

"You'll see. We ditched the freestanding one. We expanded the bathroom and put in a cold tub. It's fucking awesome. Drains and everything."

"You posh bastards." I laughed at her, shaking my head. "Right up my alley."

Sali grinned and flexed her muscles. "Thank the FBI for the giant fucking settlement for nearly killing me. Upgraded the entire house, built Ben's next door, bought a condo in Hawaii, and we still got it going on," she teased, her amusement everlasting. "I knew being a psychotic asshole would pay off."

"Sure did, fucker. Maybe your next trip will win you a private jet to fly to that Hawaiian hot pad whenever you want."

"Good idea." Sali wagged her brows at me. "Pilot license here I come."

I laughed at the thought of it. "No one wants you driving, let alone flying. That'll be the day."

"What's so funny over here?" Nora slipped into my lap while holding her freshly painted nails out in front of her. I poked her wrist, and she lifted her hands away. "Don't smudge me."

"I'll try my hardest." I laughed and kissed her elbow.

Maggie perched herself in Sali's lap and showed off her nails. "Mine are better than yours."

"No way." Sali held up her blue-painted fingertips. "I just got done fingering a Smurf. I'm way cooler."

Anyone who heard her erupted into laughter. Ben doubled over dramatically, covering his face while he cracked up. Olivia pounced on him and incited an impromptu wrestling match.

Maggie thwapped Sali's arm a few times while her red-face hysterics kept her from speaking. Nora wasn't far behind and she snort-giggled into her palms. Maggie pointed at her and they only laughed harder.

The grin never left my face while I allowed myself to slide beneath the moment. The absolute joy on the faces in the room, especially Nora's, calmed the muddy waters that carried us here. She met my gaze, gnawing her bottom lip around her cheeky smile and I blew her a kiss.

"Feeling okay, baby?" I ran my fingers through Nora's hair, and she nodded.

"Yeah. It's been a good day, but I'm a little tired."

"C'mon. I want to show you something before we head upstairs." I patted her hip and she hopped up with me.

Sali grinned as she watched us go and nudged Maggie. Her smile broadened and she wagged her brows at me.

"What are they up to?" Nora narrowed her eyes at our friends. "They look devious."

I laughed and hooked my finger around the belt loop in her jeans. "Ignore them. Come with me."

"Where are we going?" Nora gnawed her bottom lip despite her coy smile.

"It's a surprise." I opened the basement door, then took a few steps down.

Nora stopped at the top step, her bare toes at the very edge. "A surprise?" Her question left her on a tentative breath.

"Yep." I held my hand to her. "Come with me."