Page 32

Hudson

“ S o, this is it?” I crane my neck upwards, peering at the towering block of stylish apartments my brother, Blake, is hoping to snatch up.

“Yep,” he answers without looking up from his phone. He’s probably messaging the estate agent, seeing as how she was supposed to be showing up around at eleven – I was under strict instructions from Blake not to fucking be late – and yet she’s nowhere to be seen.

Which is why we’re standing outside on the street, peering up at the outside of the building, rather than inside it.

At least it’s not cold. London is finally beginning to warm up, the feel of lukewarm May sunshine coating my skin.

I squeeze Giselle’s small hand, turning my attention to watch the way her plush lips purse as she takes a drink from her takeaway cup filled with herbal tea.

“What?” she asks when she notices me staring, pulling the rim of her dark sunglasses down so she can peek at me over the top.

“Nothing.” I wrap my arm around her waist, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head.

No matter how much time passes – we’ve just celebrated our one year and two months anniversary – I still can’t believe I’m lucky enough that I get to call her mine.

“Love you.” Gee reaches up onto her tiptoes, brushing her lips against mine.

“ Mm ,” I hum, savouring the feel of her body on mine. I only just had her this morning – waking her up early with my fingers playing between her thighs until she soaked the bed, before I rolled her over and took her from behind, listening to the sweet gasping choke she let out as I insistently rutted into her G-spot – but I’m desperate to have her again.

“I love you—”

“Stop snogging in the street,” Blake tells us off, his jaw ticking, fingers deftly turning his phone off only to check it again not a millisecond later.

“Don’t be a dick,” I retort, mainly for Gee’s sake. I don’t give a flying fuck what my brother wants me to do… or not to do. “What’s crawled up your arse?”

Blake exhales shakily. “Sorry. I’m just—Where is she?”

Giselle smiles softly at him, reaching out to squeeze his upper arm. “Don’t worry, she’ll show up. Just give it five more minutes.”

My older brother smiles at Giselle gratefully, tearing his eyes away to peer up and down the busy street.

“What time are we meeting Grey and Delilah?” I ask, joining my brother’s search along the street. Although, I’m looking for a familiar shock of brunette hair, similar to my own, belonging to another of my brother’s and his girlfriend.

“Half past, wasn’t it?” Gee answers, rubbing the pad of her thumb over the golden band sitting on my pinkie finger. I’ve come to realise it’s a security thing for her, helping her ground herself in the present moment.

“Yeah,” Blake agrees. “G had a coaching session.”

I’m just about to ask if Blake is sure he’s set up a viewing appointment with a legitimate estate agent business when I see a blonde running towards us.

She’s waving a bundle of papers in the air, her heels clipping loudly against the concrete, her unbound hair blowing behind her. “I’m here! I’m here! I’m so sorry I’m late—”

The blonde stops mid-sentence, her eyes flicking between Blake and Giselle.

“Oh my god, Calla?”

“Giselle?”

“Calla?”

“Blake?”

I furrow my brows in confusion. “Do you three all know each other?”

“Calla attends my dance class once a week,” Giselle answers, pushing her sunglasses to sit on the top of her head.

I turn my gaze to my brother, narrowing my eyes at him. He’s been acting strange all day, something I had chalked up to nerves, but now he’s dead silent.

“And you two?” I prompt, gesturing to Blake and the blonde.

“We slept together a month ago,” my brother answers without preamble.

The blonde sputters, waving her hand in front of her face.

What a shit show.

I’m about to ask for some more details, something, anything, so I can piece together what the actual fuckery is going on.

But a familiar voice beats me to it.

“What have we missed?” Grey asks, his hand firmly interlaced with his fiancée, Delilah.