Page 54 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

WILLOW

I wait with bated breath as the hourglass twirls. Seconds seem like a lifetime. There’s a reset and the screen transitions into the dashboard.

My eyes squeeze shut. “I can’t.” Panic sets in.

“You look like Wyatt when he’s about to burst.” Bex is too calm.

I peer at the phone screen through a hooded lid. Facetime is blurry, but I can make out the glass of wine in her hand.

“Are you drinking?”

“This is stressful.”

“Ditto.” Lucas toasts his beer bottle in the split screen.

“What is wrong with you two? This is important.”

“We already know the results, Wills.”

Our professors and Abe recommended a series of exams.

Lucas and Bex took theirs earlier today and have been patiently waiting for me to share the results.

I take a deep breath and peek at the computer screen.

Passed.

My arms pump in the air, feet kicking out from the chair. “Yes!”

They cheer me on, both turning their phones to show their same results.

“I’m taking the rest of this weekend off.”

“You deserve it, Bex. And you, too, Lucas.”

“Plan on it, Wills. I have a date tonight.”

“With who? Your hand?” Bex cracks up at her joke.

“Not tonight, Becky. Rina prefers my mouth to my hand.”

My jaw drops before I cringe. “Too much information!”

“What? All those times you tormented me with girl talk and I can’t tell you about how this woman can ride my co?—”

“Lucas, do not finish that sentence.”

“Hate to break it to you, but I know your men aren’t virgins.”

Bex barks out a laugh, taking a healthy sip of her wine. “I am not allowed to discuss sex with ‘Lo.”

“That’s because it’s gross!”

“It’s not gross, it’s amazing. Every single time.”

My stomach turns. “I hate you sometimes.”

“Rina’s the hottie from Tom’s, right?” she asks Lucas.

“Yeah.”

“Who knows, this may actually go somewhere.”

“Not sure if Rina is long-term material, but it’s fun for now.”

“That is such a guy thing to say.”

“Some women actually like casual sex, especially with me,” he declares with a wink.

“Getting off the phone now,” I announce.

“Pretty soon, you’ll be getting off on something else.”

“Stop!”

“It’s fun to fuck with you.”

“Bye.”

“See you tomorrow at Wyatt’s game,” Bex shouts before cutting the call.

I practically skip down the hall, taking off in a sprint when I spot Talon’s profile at the mouth of the kitchen. Wolf barks to announce my arrival and Talon braces as I launch myself at him.

“Passed!”

He heaves me up, wrapping my legs around his waist, and kisses me hard and fast. I’m slightly disappointed when he pulls away then realize we’re not alone.

One glance at the men around the kitchen and it’s obvious I’ve interrupted something important.

“Is everything okay?”

“All good,” Ford clips.

All of their expressions are troubled. I clamber down from Talon and face Ford, Major, and Ace.

“Harley doing okay?” I knew these first few weeks were hard adjusting. The times I’ve visited, she was handling things like a pro, but that doesn’t mean she’s not feeling pressure.

“Harley and Maverick are great.”

“Jewls and the boys?”

Major nods.

“Rowan’s not overwhelmed, is she?”

Ford shakes his head.

“The parents? Brothers? Sisters?”

“Everyone is good, Princess,” Talon soothes.

“Then what’s going on?”

“Nothing to worry about. Let’s go out to dinner.”

“I want to cook, play with my dog, take a long bath… normal things that don’t include my nose in a book or glued to a screen.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.”

My instincts are screaming at me. “Talon Simms, what is wrong?”

He opens his mouth, but Ford beats him to it. “Max can’t make the wedding.”

My heart sinks; this is not what I was expecting.

“Why?”

“He’s got a project that has him tied up.”

“Rowan will be crushed. The wedding is next week.”

“She knew this was a possibility, but yeah, she’ll be crushed.”

“Hollywood will understand.” Talon runs his hand along my back.

“No bride needs this kind of stress. What can I do to help soften the blow?”

Ford gives me a grateful smile. “I’ll handle it.”

“Princess, we’re going for a run. Take your bath. You don’t feel like cooking, I’ll grill. Whatever you want. When we get back, we’ll celebrate your pre-exam.”

“Nope, nada… no more celebrating me. I still don’t know if I can drink after last weekend.”

“Not my call to get on stage with the queens and challenge to a dance-off. Mom watches the video daily.”

All men chuckle and my skin heats. “Talon! It was a bachelorette party and you weren’t supposed to be there. Much less video!”

He leans down and skims his lips across my neck. “Sorry I ruined that dress when we got home.”

He’s not even close to sorry.

“Meet you in the back.” Ace knocks on the counter.

The guys file out, leaving me with Talon, who’s much more relaxed.

“Proud of you, Princess.”

“Bex and Lucas passed, too, and declared a weekend off.”

“Fair enough.”

“We have Wyatt’s game tomorrow morning. Do you think…” I trail off, not wanting to give up my time with Talon, but also wanting to give my best friend some time with my brother. “Do you think Wyatt can spend the night tomorrow night?”

“Absolutely.”

“He won’t be a bother, I promise.” He shuts me up with a kiss.

“Beautiful, he’s welcome. I’ll plan it.”

“You don’t plan for a five-year-old. You just hang out.”

He eyes me with mocked horror. “We have a reputation to uphold here. No boring sleepovers.”

A thrill runs down my spine, thinking about our first weekend. “No sex with my nephew in the house!”

“Mmhmm.” He lets me go and rips his shirt over his head. “See you in a while.”

My mouth salivates as he leaves.

Will I ever get over seeing him almost naked?

Nope, the answer is instantaneous. I’ll be ninety years old and still think about his body.

As soon as the security system dings with them leaving, my phone rings.

“Meet me at Harley’s.” Rowan’s voice is hushed.

“Honey, I think you need?—”

“I know about Max. Don’t say another word. Get to Harley’s, bring Wolf and Mack… We’ll convene there.” The line goes dead and I do a double-take to my phone.

Convene?

Convene about what?

Was that fear in her voice?

I haven’t known Rowan long, but she’s never been particularly high-maintenance. Not once has she shown any anxiety about her wedding plans.

But finding out one of your groomsmen isn’t able to attend a week before could put anyone on edge.

I shove my phone in my pocket, whistle for the dogs, and head out to the golf cart. They pile in the front with me, panting with excitement at our outing.

When we pass the last remaining empty lot on Holmes Court, I slow to a stop. My heart and stomach flutter with excitement, picturing the home that will take residence soon.

I spent days combing over every detail of the plans Talon had drawn up. After my initial shock, the awe set in. If possible, I fell more in love with my observant, overbearing, bossy, mystical unicorn. He spared no details. Everything I could ever want, and more, were included in the plans.

It was beyond perfect—for me.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling something was missing.

Then, it hit me.

I called the architect the next day and asked for modifications. He agreed to keep them confidential. I won’t be able to hide my little secret for long, but when the new plans are ready, I’ll find a way to surprise Talon.

A horn breaks me out of my blissful daydream. Rowan whizzes past, and Mack goes crazy as I pull out and follow her to Harley’s driveway.

She squats and braces when both dogs circle her with their greeting.

Harley opens the door, and I’m once again questioning if she is superhuman. The woman does not look like she gave birth a few weeks ago.

“What took you guys so long? Jewls is already here.”

“She doesn’t work on Fridays and lives next door,” Rowan points out, shuffling inside.

I peek in the fancy bassinet at Maverick sleeping soundly.

We follow Harley to the kitchen where Jewls is at the stove. The aroma of garlic fills the air, causing my stomach to growl.

“What is that?”

“My famous Bolognese sauce.”

“It’s actually her mom’s recipe.” Harley slips onto a barstool, and grumbles, “Apparently, I’m unable to even cook for myself now.”

“I tweaked the ingredients, which makes it my recipe. And lose the attitude. I’m in the mood to make sauce.”

“How was your practice exam?” Rowan asks casually, without a trace of worry.

“I passed.”

She squeals, clapping softly.

“You have nothing to worry about,” Jewls encourages.

“Like I told Bex and Lucas, we can’t slack off.”

“No, but you can relax a little and have some fun before the real world closes in on you.”

“Some fun? The last four months have been more jam-packed than my whole life. It’s a wonder we are able to function with all the partying we do.”

Harley perks up. “Isn’t it awesome?”

“Yes, but my liver doesn’t agree.”

“She’ll get accustomed to it.”

There’s a lull and I wait on Rowan for a sign she’s ready to talk. But it’s Jewls who opens the conversation.

“What are we dealing with here? More Columbian drug lords? Rescue missions on high-ranking officials?”

“We don’t know much. Ember and Presley are digging,” Rowan answers nonchalantly.

“Raven stopped by this morning, bringing more gifts.” Harley points to the fruit basket. “It was a ploy; she was fishing for information.”

“She could ask her dad,” Rowan suggests.

“She did, but he’s sticking to the same story. It’s a project that has him busy.”

At this, my brain catches up. “Are we talking about Max?”

They all gape at me weirdly.

“I forgot, you’ve been out of the loop all day because of your exam,” Rowan says matter-of-factly.

“Out of the loop?”

“Max comforted me the night I found out Achilles was shot,” Harley declares.

“He helped run the operation that saved me and Rowan from her psycho ex,” Jewls adds.

“Max got to me first after I shot a man,” Rowan offers like it explains everything.

“I know he’s like family and it sucks he’s not able to come to the wedding. You have to be disappointed.”

“She doesn’t get it.” Jewls tsks.