“Thanks. I’ll get clean, and I’ll be coming to find you. I’ll work off the twenty grand. If you’re happy with my work, I’d love to keep working for you.”
Seth wished they both would just forget the twenty grand but he respected Ridge’s and Breeze’s insistence on paying it back. They had grit and self-respect and he had to admire that. It was part of the reason he’d fallen for her so fast.
He stuck out his hand. They shook on it, Caleb witnessing and looking on like a proud father. Seth nudged Caleb with his elbow. “I don’t think you’ve been that quiet since we set off that bomb in the swimming pool and hid in Eve’s closet for a day and a half.”
Caleb chuckled. “Good times.” He explained to Ridge, “Eve kept us safe and fed us.”
“You … blew up your swimming pool?” Ridge asked them with wide eyes. “And your mom didn’t beat you until you couldn’t walk?”
Caleb and Seth both sobered. Even though they had hidden out for a day and a half because they were ten and terrified of what their parents would do, there’d never been any worry that they’d be physically hurt.
“Has someone … beat you?” Caleb asked.
Ridge shook his head quickly and unconvincingly. He strode back toward the bikes. “Should go,” he muttered.
Caleb and Seth waited and then slowly walked back. “Poor kid’s been through it,” Caleb muttered.
“Yeah,” Seth agreed.
“Do you think … Breeze?”
“I think she’s been through worse, protecting him,” Seth admitted.
Caleb was uncharacteristically quiet once again. “You know what I hate?” he asked finally.
“What?”
“Mean, stupid bullies, especially one who dares hurt a little kid.” He grimaced. “And real life. It kind of sucks sometimes.”
Seth agreed. If he had his way, he’d protect Breeze and Ridge from any more “mean, stupid bullies” and “real life”. He just wasn’t sure if he could talk her into letting him.
* * *
Breeze felt like a pampered princess, and like part of this large, beautiful family as they received massages, pedicures, manicures, and facials at the most insanely fancy spa she’d ever seen. Well, she’d never actually seen a spa except in movies. She liked being part of the family even more than she liked being spoiled at the spa. The sisters, sisters-in-law, and Madeline had all included her in their conversations and made an effort to get to know her and make her feel comfortable. She’d fallen head over bunions for Paisley, Eve’s adorable three-year old. Mar had stayed close by her side and Breeze had tried to talk normally, not to reveal her hero worship for this spunky, beautiful businesswoman.
They stopped to pick up a large order of takeout from the Thai Plate, with a kids’ meal from Wendy’s for Paisley who claimed she hated “Yucky grow-up food.” Breeze had never tried Thai food. There was a Chinese place in Preston where a date had taken her to once, but it wasn’t very good and definitely not authentic Asian food. She hoped she and Ridge liked Thai and didn’t show how uncultured they were.
The ladies explained that Madeline didn’t cook, but Cosette did. When they were all together, they would quite often pitch in to help Cosette cook an amazing meal for the family. The rest of the time they got takeout or cooked healthy premade food from Freshly or Blue Apron. As the only food Breeze didn’t cook for herself and Ridge was rejected meals or leftovers that the restaurant sent home with her, this was a foreign concept to her.
She was excited to get back to the house and see Seth. They’d talked at lunch but hadn’t had any time alone. She felt clean, beautiful, and like she actually smelled good as Cosette had matched her with the scent, Resilient Woman. Cosette had sounded like a commercial as she’d told her it was a fresh, floral scent with artemisia, musk, and a hint of white tea. Breeze didn’t even know what artemisia was, but she simply loved the way it smelled and how attractive it made her feel.
They piled out of the SUVs in the garage and walked into the house carrying the bags of food. The men were milling around the living area talking or watching baseball on the big screen. They all jumped up and hurried over to greet the women, except Caleb and Ridge who were chatting at the counter, looking at something on Caleb’s phone.
Seth walked straight to her, a large grin on his face. When he reached her, he bent down close and inhaled slowly. “You look, and smell, amazing.”
She smiled, ducking her head. “The Resilient Woman by Cosette. It’s my signature scent.” She tried to give a flirtatious toss of her long hair. She wished she could describe it the way Cosette had, or be as appealing as all these other women were. She loved the navy blue and white striped romper Rachel had lent her and how it showed off her arms and legs, but she doubted she’d ever look like a Jewel woman should.
Seth’s blue eyes seemed to smolder with desire for her. “It’s perfect,” he murmured, wrapping a hand around her lower back.
“Let’s take the food out back,” Seth’s mom called over the din, ushering everyone toward the multiple sliding glass doors and the spacious outdoor patio. Breeze would’ve preferred everyone else going and leaving her alone with Seth.
As the family filed out, Ridge approached them. Breeze hadn’t seen his brown eyes look so clear and filled with excitement since she bought him his first set of wrenches when he was fourteen.
“Sis, you won’t believe it.” He looked to Seth. “Can I tell her?”
“Sure.” Seth released her and folded his arms across his chest. Breeze stared at the way his biceps bulged and had to force herself to focus back on her brother.
“Seth said if I can stay clean for a month, he’ll hire me. I can work off the twenty grand and if he likes my work, he’ll keep me on.”