Page 23 of Theo (Stone Brothers #6)

TWENTY

LACEY

J ules Stone was as gorgeous as ever. She'd always had this ethereal, unearthly quality about her.

It might have been her incredible golden hair or the way she moved as if her feet didn't touch the ground.

I was sitting in the back corner of the crowded coffee shop, so I lifted my hand and waved to get her attention.

I'd already ordered her the chai tea she wanted, so she headed straight back to the table.

Jules had been two grades below me, but she was so damn smart she was in several of my college prep classes back in high school.

We were friends because of Theo. I always enjoyed talking to her.

I stood and we hugged. "Can't believe you're back in town," she said and sat down behind her tea.

She lifted it. "Thanks for this." Her big brown eyes gave me a quick once over as she sipped the tea.

"Hmm, been a while since I had one of these.

" She glanced around. Most of the tables were full, and the caffeine-fueled conversations were loud and energetic.

"This place gets so packed." She faced me and smiled.

"Now, I know you've got questions about him. "

My eyes widened. "Who?" I asked innocently.

Jules tilted her head. "I know we hung out occasionally in school, and admittedly, I've been following you on Instagram forever." She looked at me. "Did that wedding really cost a million bucks?"

"And then some."

"Those flower arrangements were insane. I'm surprised there are any flowers left in florist shops."

"My mother-in—" I cleared my throat. "My ex-mother-in-law is eccentric …

among other things. None of it was my choice.

She basically ran with the whole wedding plan and only occasionally checked in with me to pretend to get my opinion.

Not that I could have changed her mind on anything, so I saved myself the stress and just agreed to everything. "

Even her scrunched up, ick-face was gorgeous. "I'd hate that. And as lavish as that wedding was, I would have hated it, too. Now, fire away."

"Fire away?" I asked, again pushing the whole innocence angle

"C'mon, Lacey, I'm not going to flatter myself into thinking, you, a big-shot lawyer and wife of a wealthy surgeon returned to our humble hometown so you could talk to a friend who was just one step above an acquaintance.

" She slapped the table lightly and sat forward.

"Wait. You said ex-mother-in-law. So the marriage is over? "

"It was never really a marriage. More of a contract to keep up appearances."

She sat up even straighter. "He was covering up something?

Something that would make his family look bad?

He was a playboy?" Her shiny hair swayed on her head as she shook it.

"No, lots of wealthy families have playboy heirs.

" Her plump lips curled up. "The only thing that makes those stodgy old families interesting.

" She pointed at me with a knowing look.

"He's gay and the marriage was to kill off those rumors.

" Jules had always been incredibly smart, but she was nothing short of genius.

I didn't need to reply.

"I'm right? I'm right," she said. "Well done, me."

"You always were the smartest kid in school, but please don't say anything.

I actually came out of that disastrous marriage feeling a good deal of sympathy for George.

We're still friends, in fact. I'm hoping he comes out on his own soon.

His mom will, no doubt, drop dead from a stroke if it happens, but that's not a terrible outcome either.

She was such a cartoonish villain really. "

Jules laughed. "Oh shit, I forgot how much fun you could be. I love that description. I can see her now, flitting around her mansion with her hundred-thousand-dollar facelift and her ears and neck dripping with diamonds yelling at the servants to let them know they're not working hard enough."

I nodded. "Pretty much sums her up." We sipped our tea. I paused. "Do you want a muffin or cookie? I didn't think to ask."

"No, I'm good with my chai tea. Anyhow, on to more interesting subjects or I should say subject . Did you see the video?"

I winced. "I think everyone in the world saw it. How is he?"

"He's good. Just a few cracked ribs." She paused and her eyes watered for a second. She took a deep breath. "Could have been a lot worse. He narrowly missed some rocks." It seemed the Stone cousins were all still as close as ever. I'd always envied their big family.

"Shit. Well, I'm glad he's all right. I wanted to text him, but I'm sure he wouldn't respond. I fucked up any chance of the two of us being friends again."

"Oh, I don't know about that," Jules said. "I think there's still a chance." She set down the tea she'd just picked up. "Stella and her roommates are having a party tomorrow night. You should come. I'm sure Theo will be there."

"I can't just show up at your cousin's party. How is Stella?"

"It's an open invite to all the locals. Stella and her roommates have this funky old beach house, and it's perfect for partying.

And LaLa is fine. She's finishing up her bachelor's degree in archaeology and hoping to get into the graduate program, so she can do some world traveling.

I'm excited for her, but I'm also terrified that she's going to leave me alone with the wild five, the boys. "

I laughed. "The wild five sums those boys up pretty well. Is Cormac still fearless?"

"And reckless and throw-all-caution-to-the-wind." She took a sip of tea. "You should come to the party. I'll text you the address."

"I'll think about it. But I'm sure Theo won't want to see me."

"I guess there's only one way to find out." Her phone buzzed, and she took it out of her pocket. "Hmm, I've got to head out soon. I'm working for my mom and Aunt Brit at their real estate office. Think I might get my license along with my accountant's certification. I really like the business."

"My mom said they're selling a lot of houses in the area. Good for them."

"They worked hard for this success. I'm really proud of them. How about you? I thought you were working at a prestigious law firm."

I sighed dejectedly. "It's funny how lifelong dreams can get smashed when they run smack into reality.

One of the law partners, an old creep who smelled like menthol, was very handsy with me, and I couldn't take the abuse.

I left the firm and I'm now extremely happy giving legal advice online to people who can't afford big law firms. It's very low stress and fulfilling.

Even if the pay is half of what I was earning.

At least no one can grab my ass while I pour myself a cup of coffee.

" I lifted my hand and pinched together two fingers.

"I once came this close to throwing an entire cup of hot coffee in his face but then I remembered he had a powerful law firm behind him, and he wouldn't hesitate to have me arrested and sued. "

"Ugh, I hate men like that."

I smiled. "You're lucky to be surrounded and loved by the Stone boys. I still remember that time Brian Hayes tried to grab you in the lunchroom. Theo and Cormac shot across the room so fast, I was sure Brian would piss his pants when he saw them tearing toward him."

"Sometimes LaLa and I get annoyed with how protective they all are, but it's nice to know they're around."

The door opened, and a big group of cyclists, biking shorts, shoes and all, piled into the coffee shop, making the place feel as if it might burst out of its seams. "There has to be some sort of fire safety limit," I said. "I guess that's probably our cue to go."

"Yep, I've got to get to work anyway. Thanks for the tea."

We tossed our cups and moved through the maze of cyclists. They smelled of sweat and sunblock and road grit. It was a relief to step outside into the fresh air.

"I'll send you the address," Jules said. "You should come. I think you two just need to get stuff out in the open."

I raised a brow at her. "We are talking about Theo Stone, correct? He's not exactly Mr. Open."

"True but I think he might be with you. You know, he'd kill me for saying this, but he never got over you leaving town. He was miserable and grumpy for months. I still don't think he's over you. But that's just my humble little opinion. What do I know?"

"Well, considering you won the county spelling bee and you were on the math team, I'd say you know a lot. But Theo Stone? He's a tough puzzle to solve. Send the address. I might go. If nothing else, it'd be fun to see everyone again."

"People will lose their minds." She started to walk to her car but stopped and turned back. "So, you're staying? In Trayton, that is."

"For so long I thought I wanted nothing more to do with this town, but now that I'm back, I realize that it still feels like home. That said, I'm not sure if I'll stay. It's been nice catching up with my parents."

"Tell them hello for me." Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she rolled her eyes. "Speaking of parents. I'm not even late yet. Hopefully, I'll see you at the party tomorrow night."