Chapter 27 #3
Addie: I negotiated the deal of a lifetime.
Ahh, I almost forgot about the horse head sculpture. Subconsciously, I think my mind suppressed the offer, scared that maybe it’s out of my depth.
And? I hate suspense.
Addie: Yes, I know, you always suggest fast-burn love stories. I need the delay… slow burn, baby.
ADALAIDE!
Addie: 400K
I suck in a sharp breath, completely unprepared for that.
“What’s wrong?” Nate asks.
I clutch my phone to my chest. “Girl stuff. Eyes on the road.”
What the fuck?
Addie: Whoa, you dropped an F bomb.
I ignore her.
Why would anyone pay me that much? I don’t get it.
Addie: You got 600K once before.
At auction. Rich people are weird. I saw Prince’s toothbrush sell for the same price.
Addie: I’d buy Chris Hemsworth’s toothbrush.
Addie: Also…babe, you’re insanely talented. Why are you shocked?
It’s a lot. What if I screw it up? I’ve never done something this big.
Addie: Since when do you turn down a challenge? You’re the smartest, most determined person I know.
Addie: You can do this, I promise.
It’s a big responsibility on top of my already demanding job. I woke up to 150 unread emails today, all before I had breakfast, and worked half the time I was on the boat with Nate.
Addie: That’s why you have me.
You really think I should do it? What’s the timeline?
Addie: Tell me you love me first.
I love you.
Addie: You’re booked solid this year. I told them you can’t start until next November.
Genius. That gives me breathing room to practice.
What if they back out?
Addie: I’m drafting an ironclad contract with my parents’ lawyer. Yours sucked.
Addie: Also got a fifty percent deposit.
FIFTY?!
Addie: You’re welcome.
You’re right, I would kiss you on the lips.
We’re just pulling up to the house. I’ll call you later.
And Ads?
Addie: ??
Figure out your salary. You’re officially hired.
I tuck my phone away, vibrating in my seat.
Four hundred thousand dollars.
Who do they think I am?
The urge to tell Nate about Cherry tugs at my chest, but an exhilarating feeling holds me back. I’ve been reminded many times before that I always play by the rules, and for once, I don’t want to.
I love having my own secret…being naughty is fun.
I’ll tell him at the right time and knock the socks right off him in surprise.
“Are you going to shower?” Nate asks.
“How fancy are we going?”
“Up to you, either way. Let’s make it quick here, I’m starving,” he says, then curses under his breath.
“What’s wrong?”
He points to the open garage that I’m only just noticing. Some of the other cars are pulled out, not where we left them.
“Well, our nice weekend away has just been ruined. I’m going to kill them.”
My eyes roam the property. “I don’t see anyone.” He pulls next to a vintage Landover, gets out, and slams the door shut. A second later, I’m out chasing after him. “Jesus, Nate. Slow down.”
He’s on a mission; he doesn’t even hear me.
He swings open the front door, and chaos explodes. Music blasts over the speakers, voices ring out, and then there’s my little one.
“Aunt Maddie!” Claud barrels into my legs.
“Easy, Claudina.” Harrison comes into view, Juliette hot on his heels. Leo and Seb are not far behind.
“What the hell are you all doing here?” Nate bellows.
Claud’s eyes go wide like saucers. “Uncle Nate!”
She holds out her hand, and he takes out his wallet and slaps a twenty in her hand.
“Uncle Nate is going to use a few bad ones. I’m sorry, Claud, so here’s enough for the swear jar.”
“Oh yeah, baby!” She wiggles on the spot.
I giggle at her silliness, but Nate is not amused by his family.
“Well.” Juliette smiles with a devious look in her eyes. “Payback’s a B.I.T.C.H.”
He looks between Harrison and Juliette, completely speechless.
“Payback for what?” I look between everyone, instantly aware I’m the only one not in on the joke.
Juliette turns toward me. “Last summer, Nate and Leo thought it was a brilliant idea to bring Claudina here the very first weekend Harrison and I became official. It was also our first weekend away. Ever.” She widens her eyes dramatically at her brothers-in-law.
“So we’re returning the favor and crashing your party.
Sorry, Maddie. You’re collateral damage. ”
I press my lips together, hiding my smirk as I watch steam practically pour out of Nate.
He spins toward Harrison. “I waited ten fucking years. Not the same thing.”
Harrison stands there, arms crossed, completely unimpressed. He could not care less about Nate’s outrage.
“In all honesty,” Juliette cuts in, rubbing her heavily pregnant stomach., “I thought it was a good excuse for us to hang out. I’m the odd one out here, and I’d love to get to know you better. Who knows when I’ll pop. Then I’ll be preoccupied for a while.”
“I’d really love that.” My smile is genuine. It hits me all at once. I’m not just back with the brothers. I’m gaining a sister.
She may not be the sister I imagined when joining the family, but I already have a feeling Juliette and I will get along perfectly.
The Davenport-Morales crew is the most loving, generous family I know, but breaking into their inner circle is nearly impossible. So the fact that Rosa and the rest of them have embraced Juliette, not just as Harrison’s wife but as Claud’s mom, tells me everything I need to know about her.
“Great,” Nate huffs.
“They’re here, and honestly, I love it.” I glance between the brothers. “I missed all of us together. It’s been ten years, as you love to remind everyone every thirty seconds, Nate.”
Leo barks out a laugh. “It’s true. He tells us constantly.”
“We’re going out to an early dinner—”
“Good, I’m starving,” Seb cuts in, reminding me he’s lurking in the background.
While I make my way over to hug him, Nate’s still mumbling under his breath.
“Well, we’re having sushi,” Nate announces.
I frown. “We are?”
“No,” Seb says, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “I hate sushi. He’s lying, so we’ll stay home.”
I roll my eyes. “I thought Leo was the dramatic one.”
“Heyyy,” Leo protests.
“I want spaghetti!” Claud announces, twirling like a ballerina.
I smirk. There is absolutely no way Nate is saying no to her.
“Well, that settles it.” Juliette beams. “How long do you two need to get ready?”
I notice her outfit is very casual.
She’s in maternity jeans and an oversized, white, man-tailored shirt.
“If you don’t mind the smell of the ocean, I’ll just need five minutes to throw something else on.”
“Sounds good. We’ll warm up the cars,” Harrison adds, then kisses me on the top of my head in passing as they all walk outside.