“I’m going to the house to let Faith and Hope know I’m okay.”
“I’ll be there in just a few.” Dylan smiled. Her fingers lingered a moment before she pulled away and went toward the door.
Every view of her was breathtaking. Even the rearview.
“Good morning, Layne,” she said on her way past him.
“Morning, Heaven,” Layne replied. His eyes trailed after her.
Even Layne had a dumbstruck look.
Dylan laughed. And Layne had given him shit about staring with his mouth wide open…Okay, Layne could stop staring now.
* * *
Layne waited until Heaven was out of sight to look at Dylan. What the fuck just happened? She slept in the same house with him? Scratch that, she slept in the same bed? Did they?
“Dude, what is going on with you?”
“Mm—me?” Layne stuttered. “Are you going to tell me what I just walked in on?”
Dylan shook his head and grunted. He leaned against the armrest on the sofa. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit. You can’t play a player, dude. You know me.” Layne jabbed a finger in his chest before pointing to Dylan. “And I know you. That you’ve been dreaming of her for the last six months. Obsessing. You’re going to tell me that you slept in the same bed with her and nothing else happened?”
“Yes, because nothing did. Only one thing happened.”
“Oh? What would that be?”
Dylan shook his bangs from his face. “We…we’re together. You know. A couple.”
They agreed to be a couple, slept in the same bed, but didn’t have sex? Why did Dylan feel the need to lie to him?
“So it’s official?” Layne asked. He walked past Dylan to the kitchen, trying to put some space between him and his best friend. His heart pumped so fast, it echoed in his ears.
“Yeah, it’s official,” Dylan answered. He came to the edge of the room but didn’t enter the kitchen.
This wasn’t going to end well if he kept avoiding eye contact. Dylan was already grimacing. Layne opened the fridge and grabbed a beer. Fuck it. Morning or not, he needed a drink, now.
As he popped the top, he walked back toward Dylan. “I’m sure you’re high on life right now.” He really was happy for Dylan. But damn…he just…he wanted the chance to…if only he’d…
Fuck…
“I think I’ll take her to see Mom, soon.”
“And then what? What’s the next step in Dylan-and-Heaven-ever-after?”
The crease between Dylan’s brows deepened. He sank back into the arm of the chair and folded his arms across his chest.
“I’m going to let that comment slide. And as far as what’s next, we’re going to do what any other couple does.”—Have wild, crazy sex?—“Get to know each other.”
“And what about when she leaves in August? Then what?”
That wiped the huge grin off Dylan’s face. Layne’s stomach clenched. Guilt was a bitch, but he had to bring Dylan off his high. Heaven would leave in August. He didn’t want his best friend getting screwed over.
Dylan cleared his throat. He stood, gave Layne a meaningful look, and walked over to the door. “I hope she will stay here.”
“But if she doesn’t?”
Silence filled the air. Then Dylan sighed. “At this point, I would follow her wherever she went.”
What the…
Layne’s mouth flew open. He fell against the oak door, disbelieving what he had heard. “You gotta be kidding me?”
Dark eyes turned on him. “No. I’m not. I won’t stop until she’s my wife.”
Layne’s voice faltered. He stared. Blinked. Gaped his mouth so wide, he could fit a snare drum in it. Where had his best friend gone? Had aliens abducted him? Had someone cut off Dylan’s nuts, because he’d sure gotten in tune with his girly side.
No, it wasn’t even that. Layne could understand wanting a woman. Hell, he’d even considered giving his heart to one girl. But she…she wasn’t available. And common sense slapped him on the backside of his head. Women were great. Great for bringing his body complete satisfaction. But for marriage? For love?
Well…maybe. Maybe the one girl who’d touched his heart. Even if it was for a split second. But he’d never let Dylan know a woman had affected him like that.
Especially now.
“That’s…um…deep, dude.” Layne kicked around a coaster that had fallen on the floor. He’d like to kick Dylan’s ass, instead. “You’ve barely spent time with her. Now you’re willing to give up everything to marry her?”
“Are you finished giving me shit?”
“I’m in shock. You wanna marry her. But you haven’t even sampled the menu? Unless you’re lying about what hap—”
“Nothing happened last night!” Dylan gritted his teeth. “Why is this so important to you?”
“Just looking out for you. I don’t want you to rush into this with blinders on.”
“What Heaven and I have…it’s different. We’re connected.”
Layne sent the coaster flying across the room with one swift kick. He met Dylan’s glare with one of his own. “Do you really believe that?”
“Yes, I do. It’s like reading minds, but with emotions.”
“Is that why you’ve been acting like a chick?”
Dylan’s eyes narrowed. He clenched his fists. “Screw you, dude. I’m outta here.” Dylan hit the screen door as he stormed out.
“Dude, come on,” Layne said. He waited to see if Dylan would stop. But he didn’t. Layne walked to the archway, “I was only joking,” he shouted.
Dylan flipped him the bird.
Well, fuck…
* * *
Heaven gazed into the eyes of a demon. Better known as Faith. Her sisters were sitting at the table, coffees in hand. Hope’s fingers slid across her phone as she typed what Heaven assumed was a text message. Faith was sitting across from her, hands folded on the table, legs jiggling ninety-miles an hour.
Great. This was going to be a blast.
She opened the storm door and stepped inside. The stench of leftover liquor and beer assaulted her nose as Faith and Hope’s eyes locked onto her.
“Where the hell have you been?” Faith shouted. She was on her feet in less than a heartbeat. She fisted her hands on her hips, green eyes glaring.
“Good morning to you, too, Faith,” Heaven snapped back.
Hope placed her phone on the table and made her way to Heaven. She wrapped her arms around Heaven, crushing her to her chest. “Hev, where were you? I’ve been really worried.”
Heaven slipped out of her embrace and walked toward the coffee pot. She grabbed a cup from the cabinet and poured the rich contents from the pot.
“Look,” she said, placing the pot back on the base. “I’m sorry you guys were worried about me, but you are partially to blame for not knowing where I was.”
That got her an icy glare from Faith.
“How am I to blame for you not being where you were supposed to be,” Faith seethed, her head rotating with attitude.
“If you hadn’t been off with Layne for half the night, or sharing a bedroom with him, you would know why. There was no place for me to sleep in our room. Do you know why there wasn’t?” Heaven turned her eyes from Faith and cast them onto Hope, who was already focusing on the floor. “It’s because Hope and Scott were passed out in our bed. She was so drunk last night that Scott had to take care of her.”
“I’m sorry,” Hope said as she squirmed. “I feel bad about that, but I don’t remember much about last night. The only thing I halfway remember is taking your drink.”
Heaven narrowed her eyes. “I don’t doubt that.”
“You still haven’t told us where you spent the night,” Faith snorted.
Heaven’s eyes darted back to Faith. “I spent the night in the guesthouse.”
“You spent the night with Dylan, didn’t you?” Faith teased, flipping her hair behind her shoulder.
“Yes, I did. We fell asl
eep watching TV.” It was probably best to stick with the same story she heard Dylan tell Layne.
“Whatever,” Faith retorted, spinning the contents of the cup in her hand.
“Don’t put me in the same class as you, Faith. You’ve been sleeping with Layne since Chelsea’s wedding.”
“At least I don’t deny it.”
“If Dylan and I had actually slept together, I wouldn’t deny it, either, but we haven’t.”
Faith’s body shook with laughter. She pressed the coffee cup to her lips, sipped, then lowered it. “So, Dylan didn’t pop your cherry?”
“No, Faith, he didn’t,” Heaven shouted. “You know what? I am so sick to death of your attitude. It has been worse since we made it to L.A.”
“Excuse me?” Faith bellowed. Coffee spilled from the cup as Faith slammed it against the table.
“Did I stutter? Quit being such a bitch! Everything that comes out of your mouth is so negative. Why can’t you be nice to people, especially to Hope and me? Is your life so miserable that you feel the need to bring everyone down with you?”
“My life is just peachy. I’m healthy, beautiful, and have the hottest guy alive,” Faith yelled back.
Yeah, the guy with the roving eye. Please.
“If you have so many good things in your life, start being grateful for them and lose the attitude. No one wants to hear it.” Time for a dose of reality that was long overdue. Heaven grabbed her cup and walked over to the table. She stepped beside Faith, leaning in close enough that she could have kissed her. “It’s a shame that Hope and I dread being around you. My God, you’re our sister, our triplet. We should have a closer bond with you, but we don’t.”
Faith took a step back and crossed her arms over her chest. Heaven hoped she’d made her uncomfortable for a change.
“So you don’t think I care about you and Hope?”
“It feels like that at times. We’ve tried overlooking it, but you have made that impossible. For the love of God, if you can’t say anything nice, keep your mouth shut.”
Faith rolled her eyes. She jerked her coffee cup off the table and walked toward the pot.
When Heaven glanced at Hope, she noticed her smile right away. “What are you smiling about?” she asked.
Hope shook her head and chuckled. “I’m just thinking about how you and Dylan interact. I’ve watched you guys enough to know that if you haven’t slept together yet, it won’t be long before you do.”
Seriously? Heaven had just blasted Faith to space and back, and Hope was thinking about the way Heaven interacted with Dylan?
“Thanks for the foresight, all-seeing one.”
Hope shrugged. She picked up her phone and went back to texting.
Heaven couldn’t deny Hope’s words. If Layne hadn’t interrupted…
The storm door swung open. Heaven looked over to see Dylan walk in. Something was wrong. His body was rigid. Eyes fixed, brows drawn so far down, she could barely see his eyes. And his hands were fisted, knuckles white.
What in the world?
But the minute he gazed at her, his hardened expression dissipated. “Morning, everyone,” he smiled and made his way toward Heaven.
“Good morning, Dylan,” Hope replied.
Faith grumbled something from behind, but Heaven blocked it out. Her gut twisted just looking at him. Smile or not, he was upset.
He’d barely had time to wrap his arms around her when Layne came rushing through the door. He stopped short of the entrance when she looked at him. The storm door swung back, making a loud bang.
Layne flinched. He stepped out of the way, but kept focusing on Dylan.
Dylan hadn’t returned his gaze. But Heaven felt his hands clenching around her hips. Whatever had Dylan in a foul mood had to do with Layne. But what would have the best friends this angry?
* * *
Layne didn’t expect to have an audience when he walked into the room. He should have known there would be. He’d just left Hope and Faith biting at the bit when he went to the guesthouse, searching for Heaven.
He definitely discovered her. And more.
His eyes raked over Heaven as she looked at him, lips pursed. His eyes lingered there until her face disappeared behind Dylan’s head.
Dylan was holding her close, seeking comfort after their confrontation.
Layne couldn’t believe how intimate they looked with their bodies pressed together. Hard to believe nothing sexual had happened between them last night. He knew Dylan was falling for her, but the look in Heaven’s eyes said she was falling for Dylan, too.
His chest tightened at the thought.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 18
The sun glistened atop the rippling waters as far as Heaven could see. She’d always been fascinated by the vastness of the ocean, but being near the coast and seeing the tides come and go made her appreciate its greatness that much more.
Her eyes switched back to the yellow and white lines separating Dylan’s SUV from the oncoming traffic. Lines that had become a blur for the last hour and a half. But now that they were off the freeway, she’d noticed them, again.
Was she trying to distract herself from what was ahead? From the thought that had her squirming in her seat with each mile they put between them and L.A.? Had her biting her lip when they passed the Welcome to Santa Barbara sign?
It was not like she wasn’t excited to meet Dylan’s mother, but now that she was on her way, her stomach had decided that somersaults were the best way to deal with the anticipation.
Buzzing on the dashboard took Heaven’s eyes off the road. Dylan picked up his iPhone, mumbled something under his breath, and tossed it back to the dashboard for the umpteenth time since they’d started the journey.
“What is that all about?”
Pouting brows stared back at her, then disappeared. “It’s nothing. Just a stupid reporter.”
“Oh,” she whispered. Her eyes lingered on his face, even though the road had regained his attention. He was so quiet today. Was he nervous about her meeting his mother, too?
Heaven looked out her window, gazing at the palm trees and local businesses as Dylan turned onto another street. Santa Barbara was beautiful. More so than Santa Monica. But she loved the view of the ocean from Chelsea’s condo.
Warm fingers folded over her hand. She looked over at Dylan, who was gazing at her with that sexy smile she loved so much. “Are you ready to meet my mom?”
Um, not if he kept looking at her with those big, puppy eyes. For the love of God, she wished her stomach would quit with the acrobatics.
Heaven glanced at the two-story beach house at the end of the driveway Dylan had just pulled into and took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”
He squeezed her hand. “Don’t be nervous. She is going to love you.” His lips found hers and pressed against them. Not so hard that he made her head dizzy. Just enough to ease her tension. He leaned his forehead against hers and smiled. “It wouldn’t matter if she didn’t like you. I know how I feel and that’s all that matters. I don’t need anyone’s approval.”
Heaven leaned her head back. She stroked his smooth skin while looking into his eyes. “I’d never ask you to choose me over your family.”
“You wouldn’t have to ask me.” God, she loved it when his voice dropped into the guttural tone. “I’d give up a lot of things for you and not have any regrets.”
Her heart skipped a beat. Maybe it was several beats. She wasn’t sure. She was too busy replaying his words in her mind as he got out of the vehicle and made his way to her door.
Was he serious? He was already willing to give up things to be with her. Yet a few days ago, she couldn’t stop thinking about the things she was giving up, wondering if she’d ever have a chance to pursue them if they stayed together.
Guilt gave her a hard smack across the face. She’d been so selfish in thinking about herself when Dylan was ready to give their relationship everything he had. It put things into a new perspective.
* * *
With each step they took to the door, Heaven’s pulse thrummed in her ears. She adjusted the straps on her sundress and patted the neckline. Hopefully, the dress wasn’t too revealing.
She stiffened like an overworked muscle when Dylan opened the door. Her hands clutched his like a vice grip and tightened when they came to the bottom of the steps.
“Relax,” he whispered, rubbing both her hands between his. Easier said than done when he wasn’t the one on trial. “Mom, are you here?”
Waiting for a response, the one they received came from upstairs. “Do you think the door would be unlocked if I wasn’t?”
He choked back a laugh, “Yeah, I guess not. If you’re not busy, I have someone I want you to meet.”
That had footsteps drumming on the floor above, and Heaven huddling closer to Dylan.
“If you keep squeezing my hand like that, I won’t be able to play guitar, anymore.”
She looked down at the joined hands, gasping when she saw the white of her knuckles and redness in his fingers. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, releasing her grip. Dylan only laughed.
A long black skirt swept each step as Dylan’s mom descended. She wasn’t much shorter than Dylan’s six-foot frame. While she lacked his toned upper body, exercise was obviously a part of her daily routine. She was tucking a wiry strand of darkness behind her ear when her eyes met Heaven’s.
It wasn’t hard to see where Dylan had gotten his good looks. She was beautiful and, short of emerald eyes, shared every other feature with her son. She smiled as she took the final step. Now standing in front of them, Heaven continued to stare at her, wondering if she had been a baby herself when she’d given birth to Dylan.
His mother’s attention went to back to her son as she wrapped an arm around him. “Hey, kiddo. How are you?”
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