“I know,” Breeze admitted. “I’ve always wanted to buy one of their fancy perfumes.”
Cosette lit up. “Well you’re in luck, we always have samples on us. I’ll find the perfect fit for your chemistry, after you shower and change into some clean clothes.”
Breeze’s stomach lifted at the kind offer but then dropped as reality crowded back in. She had no clean clothes and she wasn’t going to shower in this beautiful place. She needed to get her car, drive Ridge home, go back to working eighty hours per week, and fight her way through online school. She couldn’t stay in this alternate reality with these movie stars.
Isaac chuckled. “Cozy can’t match your scent unless you’re odor-free. She made me strip to match my scent.” He lowered his voice, “Way before we were even married.”
“Oh, you!” Cosette punched him in the shoulder. “The scent must be right.” She focused back on Breeze. “After you take a shower I’ll come to your suite and we’ll play with scents.”
“I, um, don’t have any clean clothes,” Breeze admitted.
Cosette’s eyes widened.
Rachel spoke up, “You’re about my size. I’ll get you some clothes.”
“Thank you,” Breeze squeaked. She was embarrassed, but nobody seemed to be put out by their men coming to rescue her and Ridge, as well as wasting twenty grand on them. She stood before them, a smelly awkward girl with only the dirty clothes on her back and her socially backward mechanic brother, asking to borrow clothes.
“My parents,” Seth continued, “Peter and Madeline, and my niece Paisley.”
“Great to meet you,” said his father, taking her hand in his.
Paisley then shook her hand too with her tiny, soft fingers. “Hiya pretty lady,” Paisley said. “Youza looking like an angel.”
“Sorry,” Eve apologized, “Caleb’s been showing her all the Star Wars and she loves Jar Jar Binks.”
“Don’t apologize, she’s the angel.”
Paisley lit up. “Meza thanking you kindly.”
Everybody laughed and Paisley ate up the attention.
Her dad waved to Ridge. “Nice to have you here, son.” Everybody seemed to realize that Ridge was even more awkward than Breeze, and nobody but Caleb tried to approach him. She appreciated them taking it slow with Ridge. Poor kid would rather talk with his tools than a real person.
Ridge turned red but waved a hand. “Th-thank you, sir,” he managed.
Breeze was right proud that he could respond at all.
Seth’s mom came forward and engulfed Breeze in what she could only assume was a motherly hug. She’d never felt a hug like this. His mom was a thin, classy lady, but she was soft and womanly and smelled nice, and the hug felt better than anything Breeze had felt in her pathetic life. Well besides touching Seth, but nothing could compare to that. His hugs were strong, safe, and protective while this hug was more about comfort, kindness, and maternal love.
Madeline kept her arm around her and directed her away from Seth and the rest of the group and into the house. Did she know how close Breeze was to breaking down and sobbing? Or how hard it was to dump her pride and take in all their kindness?
Seth’s mom talked about how thrilled they were to have the two of them there as they walked through a two-story entry. Breeze could see a massive living area on the other side of a grand staircase. It was all so beautiful. She was sure her jaw was hanging open. The gargantuan cabin she’d stayed at the past few days was possibly just as beautiful, but with all the men filling, and destroying it, Breeze had never been impressed by the grandeur.
Madeline kept talking as they walked up the wide staircase. “We’ll get you two settled, then we’ll decide on a plan for today. We’d love to have you stay as long as you’d like.”
“Oh, well, we can’t stay here. We’d soil the place.”
Madeline laughed. Breeze glanced over her shoulder and saw Seth watching her from down below in the foyer. Most of his family had filtered in behind him. Caleb had Ridge under his wing, and they were following her and Madeline up the stairs.
“Please stay,” Seth mouthed.
Breeze’s heart beat a little faster. His blue eyes were warm and appealing, and he’d just spent all that money on her and fought for her. She’d do about anything he asked. “Okay,” she mouthed back.
He grinned.
His mom directed her up the rest of the stairs and along the left-hand side of a wide balcony that overlooked the open great room below. Huge windows showcased the forest and mountains that were located beyond the landscaped backyard. This was like a palace. If Breeze could bury her self-respect, she’d set up camp on this balcony and never leave.
They walked along a distressed wood floor to several doors on the left-hand side. There were similar doors on the right of the huge loft.