“Feel free to look around. There isn’t anywhere in this house that is off limits to you or Nisha. We want you to feel athome.”
“Thanks, lads,” Nisha says as she practically skips into my bedroom and climbs on the bed. “I’m happy to take you up on the offer. This place is epic!” She flops down next to me, her hair awry, with a huge grin on her face. It’s just as well we didn’t start anything, this could have been more than a littleembarrassing.
“What have you lot been up to, hmm?” she asks, wiggling hereyebrows.
“None of your damn business, you cheeky mare,” Isay.
Nisha laughs, crossing her long shapely legs. I look at Bryce and Max to see whether they notice her ridiculously fit figure. She has an athletic build, with small pert boobs and a perfect taut butt. Thankfully, neither are looking at her. A strange sense of relief floods through me. I love Nisha more than anything, but I don’t think I could take it ifmymen felt attracted to her too. I am feeling more than a little territorial thismorning.
“Morning, Lou Lou. What’s up? Cat got your tongue?” She winks at me and I roll my eyes. “You had a goodnight?”
“As a matter of fact, I did,” I say with asmile.
Fortunately, Bryce and Max seem to take Nisha’s enthusiasm with a pinch ofsalt.
“Are you always this… bouncy?” Max asks. “You remind me of Tigger from Winnie thePoo.”
Nisha laughs. “Well hell, I’ve been called many things, but Tigger isn’t one ofthem.”
There’s a gentle knock at the door and a thread of excitement mixed with worry slices through me at the thought it might beHudson.
“Come in,” Isay.
The door pushes open. Calum takes in the scene, his eyes moving from each of us before finally resting on Nisha. If I’m not mistaken I see a hint of something in his eyes. Anger perhaps, or jealousy. It is gone so quickly I can’t be certain. Bryce and Max don’t appear to notice, but Nisha does. She sits up in bed, adjusting her t-shirt, her gaze fixed firmly onCalum.
“Sorry to disturb you all. I’m just coming to remind you of your meeting at ten this morning. I’ll be ready to take you atnine.”
“Thanks, Cal,” Bryce says. Calum nods and exits the room, but not before he glances quickly at Nisha. I look between the two. Something is brewing betweenthem.
“Well, we’re going to leave you both to it. Hud is around, but you might want to swerve him for a bit until he’s recovered from his hangover. Catch you later, Icy. Don’t go anywhere,” Maxsays.
“I won’t,” Irespond.
He stops at the door, hesitating. “What the hell am I doing?” he says, striding back towards the bed. “I can’t go without a proper goodbye.” Max leans down and brushes his lips against mine. It’s a sweet kiss, one that starts my pulse racing and is entirely inappropriate, given Nisha is sitting right next tome.
Nisha coughs loudly. “Jeez, you two need to get a room,” shejokes.
Max pulls away and smiles. “We’re inone.”
“Oh, so we are,” she says with an amusedgrin.
Bryce slaps Max on the back. “Come on we need to leave.” He presses a quick kiss against my forehead. “The doctor’s appointment has been made for three o’clock this afternoon. Hudson knows, he’ll get Cal to take you both. Rest easy, Louisa. I’ll see you later,” he adds, brushing his knuckles gently against mycheek.
“Hudson’s takingme?”
“Yes, he insisted. At some point this morning I’m sure he will come talk with you. Are you okay withthat?”
“Sure,” I say, even though the flutter of nerves seems to tell me I’m not as relaxed about it as Isound.
“Okay, good. Make yourself at home and I’ll see youlater.”
I wait for them both to leave, then turn to Nisha. “Okay, spill. What’s the deal withCalum?”