Page 28 of Hush Darling

“Peter, stop.” She yanked her arm free again. “What’s gotten into you? We were in the middle of a conversation.”

“A boring conversation.” He dove onto the tower of ruffled pillows. “Oh, look. A bed.”

Turning back to the Lost Boys, she thanked them, “The room is lovely. Thank you.”

“You like it?”

“I picked out the pillows!”

“I found the blanket!”

“I picked the flowers!”

“I swept the floor and got rid of that—umph.” One of the men elbowed Tate in the ribs. “I mean, there was nothing gross in here whatsoever. It was totally clean when we started.”

She figured it was better she didn’t know what biohazards or creatures they removed. “Well, it’s perfect now.”

They turned their attention to Peter, fishing for more praise that did not come.

Peter lounged on the bed, appearing bored and disinterested in what the rest of them were doing. She didn’t understand their dynamic. Why fawn over someone who paid them no mind and scolded them like children? Who made him their leader?

“Perhaps now is a good time to learn your names. I’m Wendy. And I know you’re Tate.”

Tate grinned and nodded happily, twin dimples winking in his round cheeks.

She moved down the line to the bare-chested one wearing a necklace of entwined antlers. “And you are?”

“I’m Nibbs,” he said cheerfully, liveliness buzzing from his impressive physique as something fearless and reckless danced in his blue eyes.

“A pleasure to meet you, Nibbs.” She turned to the tall one. He leaned against the wall, radiating arrogance. “And you are?”

“They call me Bayne.” Something untrustworthy flashed in his eyes. “The Never Lands can be a dangerous place for a woman. It would be wise to watch your back.”

So far, he seemed the only true danger she’d stumbled across. “Thank you for the warning. I will.”

Peter slipped his arm around her, and Bayne’s jaw ticked. As Peter nuzzled her neck, his eyes narrowed on her another degree.

Not needing another enemy, Wendy shouldered out of Peter’s grip. But Bayne continued to glare at her. Was he jealous? She didn’t quite understand the dynamic between these men yet. There was a sense of hero worship but also an extreme sense of territorialism.

“How long is she staying?” Bayne asked, clearly put out by her presence.

Peter scowled at his rude friend. “As long as I want her to stay.”

The other man stormed off in a huff.

“Ignore him,” Nibbs said, rolling his eyes. “If Bayne’s not the center of attention, he’s in crisis.”

How sad that a grown man could be that reliant on his friend’s attentiveness. His narcissism and neediness were obviously caused by deep-seated insecurities, and while he tried to appear powerful, his dramatic exit only left the impression of bratty self-doubt. She pitied him.

“I’m Cassian,” the burly one said as he stepped forward. “Friends call me Cass.” A wide smile flashed beneath his fuzzy beard, giving the impression of a big teddy bear.

“Lovely to meet you, Cass.”

“I stashed some of my extra flannels in that bottom drawer there. They’re long, so they’ll probably fit like a dress on a little thing like you.”

She appreciated his thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”

“My Pleasure. I also put some extra blankets on the shelf in the closet. It can get cold at night, especially when the seasons change.”