Page 116 of Connectio

“Bye, Charli.”

I wave as Will takes my hand in his and leads me into the studio, a room filled with instruments and lined with soundproof, carpeted panels, much like Will’s music room only bigger. There’s even a pool table, barstools, and sofas.

“Wow! This is impressive,” I say.

“Believe it or not, Bryce had one double the size before the fire,” he murmurs. “Shame it burnt down.”

“This is certainly nothing to sneeze at. The villa is stunning.”

“Oh, we know,” Alexis says. “The design and building team at City Towers are exceptional. They’ve pulled out all stops to make this villa seem like home while the penthouse is being rebuilt.”

“So did the entire penthouse burn down?”

“No.” Alexis hands me my glass of wine. “Structurally, the place is sound, thank God! But, internally, it’s completely destroyed. The walls, carpets, furniture, pretty much everything sustained smoke, fire, and water damage.”

“I’m so sorry.”

She sucks in a breath and glances at Bryce. “It is what it is. Now we rebuild and move on. We have each other, and that’s all that matters.”

His eyes are full of love as he smiles at her sadly before looking away.

“I’m just glad you’re all okay,” I say.

“We’re getting there.” She sips her non-alcoholic pink shit then points to us both. “So, you and Will, huh?”

“Yeah.” I slide my hand into the back pocket of his jeans and glance up at him. “He’s everything I never knew I wanted.”

“Naww, I’m so happy for you both. You make an adorable couple.”

“She loves me.” Will beams, eyeing me over the rim of his beer bottle as he tips his head back for another swig.

My eyebrows nearly hit the roof, and I choke. “Wha—”

“That’s what you said after we fucked in the kitchen.”

I choke again, and Alexis covers her mouth with her hand, muffling her laugh.

“I—”

“Yeah, you did, Lib,” Carly adds. She leans over the pool table and takes a shot, sinking two balls.

Will raises his beer. “Jaws!”

Hoping to change the subject, I ask, “Why do you call her that?”

“Because she’s a shark. You know, pool shark. Whooped Derek’s arse the night we met her.”

“She did not.” Derek removes his leather jacket then takes the pool cue from Carls. “I let you win, baby.”

Will coughs into his hand. “Bullshit.”

“You think you can beat her, smartarse?”

“No! She’s motherfucking Jaws.”

Carly chomps her teeth together, and I laugh. The nickname suits her.

“So what are you gonna play for us tonight?” Alexis asks as she makes her way over to where Bryce is propped on a barstool.