Page 98 of Forbidden Kisses

“I’ll come up too,” Bruce said. “These old bones have been in the sun for too long.”

As the three of them walked toward the entrance, I sat back down again.

"You know, Mom has a sixth sense," Griffin said.

Knox smirked. "I think she knew we couldn't behave for too long. Thought it would be safest to get Jeremy out of the way."

"You read my mind, brother," Finn said.

"I mean, wewereon our best behavior until now. We do deserve credit," Griffin said.

"My God, Duncan didn't do you justice," I said loudly.

Knox jerked his head back. "What do you mean?”

"He did say you're a handful, but this is far more than I imagined."

"Oh, we're just getting started," Griffin said.

Wyatt laughed and said, "You know, usually I try to back up Duncan and keep everyone in check, but I can't make any promises today."

"Finally, you’re joining the dark side," Griffin said. "For a moment there, I was starting to think that you wanted to be part of the older group."

Wyatt jerked his head back. "Low blow, man. Low blow."

I started to laugh, and so did Hannah.

"Oh, Riley, word of warning,” she said. “You won't get used to it. I know I haven't, and I've been around a while."

My heart started beating faster. Should I want to get used to it? Duncan and I… well, we didn't really speak about what would happen once I wasn't Jeremy's nanny anymore.

"All right, Riley. We want to know everything aboutyou," Griffin said nonchalantly.

Holy shit.The group went silent. I hadn't realized that once Jeremy wasn't here, they were going to come at me like this.

"Sure," I replied. "But first, does anyone want drinks?"

"Got that covered," Knox said.

“It’s our designated role for today,” Finn added. “We get the drinks. You talk.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Riley

My last weeks with Jeremy passed in the blink of an eye, it seemed. On my very last day working as his nanny, I was feeling very melancholy.

"How did you sleep?" I asked my sister as she was just waking up.

After a heart-to-heart with my roommates, everyone agreed it was best if Paula moved in. She’d sleep in my room, which we’d share while I was still living here. And once I left, she’d simply take over my payments. I'd already started searching for places to live. And, well, I had to say, the future was bright.

I was even tentatively looking at two-bedroom apartments, just in case I could convince Paula to move in with me. But realistically, that would only be a good scenario after she graduated and started working.

"This mattress is surprisingly comfy," she said. It was inflatable but designed as a bed. "How come you're already dressed and showered? I didn't even hear you."

"You sleep very deeply, Paula."

My sister yawned. "You look really nice."