ourselves comfortable on my bed, and before she can open her laptop, Jade comes to join us. “Jase and Hunter are studying. Let me help.”
Hana walks past my open door, then she backtracks and asks, “Did I miss the memo that we’re getting together?”
“No,” I answer with a burst of laughter. “Mila’s helping me catch up with work, and Jade’s just chilling. Wanna join us?”
She comes in and shuts the door behind her before climbing on the bed to sit next to Jade. “So? What happened?”
Pretending I don’t have a clue what she’s referring to, I ask, “With?”
“You and Kao were in his room all afternoon,” Jade comments, wagging her eyebrows at me.
“We were sleeping,” I tease them, knowing they’re dying to hear the details.
“Dammit, woman. Are you still a virgin or not?” Hana snaps.
I shake my head, and their eyes begin to widen, and then I say, “Afraid I’m still one.”
“Holy shit,” Jade gasps. “Kao has some serious self-control.”
“Nothing compared to Jase,” Mila mutters. “He almost drove me insane for a month.”
“Or is it because you want to wait?” Hana asks, her eyes sharpening on me.
“Oh no, I offered it to him on a golden platter,” I quickly put her worries to rest. “It’s because we live with a bunch of children.”
Mila begins to chuckle. “I told Jase not to put up that note.”
“We’re going away this weekend,” I drop the bomb. My friends stare at me, and it has me explaining, “Kao and I. He’s taking me to Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe.”
“I’ve heard that place is off the charts beautiful,” Jade comments.
“Yeah, I’ve been once with my parents for a long weekend. There’s tons to do,” Mila adds.
“As if they’ll even leave the bedroom,” Hana chuckles.
“Whatever we do, I’m sure it will be fun,” I say, a mischievous grin on my face. “Honestly, I’m just excited about spending time with Kao.”
“Okay, let’s get some work done,” Mila says, opening her laptop.
KAO
Fallon checks the contents of our weekend bags for what must be the hundredth time.
Taking hold of her arm, I pull her onto my lap where I’m sitting on the bed. “If we forget something, we can just buy it there.”
She checks her watch, then asks, “What time is the helicopter coming again?”
A smile curves my lips. “Five.”
“That gives us twenty minutes,” Fallon mutters, her mind probably racing over her mental list of things to do before we leave.
My phone starts to ring, and as Fallon gets up from my lap, I reach in my pocket for the device. Seeing Dad’s name flashing on the screen, I answer, “Hey, Dad.”
“Sorry, I didn’t call yesterday. I was stuck in a meeting until eleven at night.”
“Damn.” A frown forms on my forehead. “Is everything okay at work?”
“Yes, it’s just the annual budget meeting. How was your doctor’s appointment?”
I relax when I hear I don’t have to worry about Dad, then answer, “It went well. Dr. Hodgson is happy with the progress I’m making.”
“How's your sight?”
In the background, I hear Mom asking, “Is that Kao? Put him on speakerphone.” A couple of seconds later, she says, “Hi, sweetie. How are you feeling?”
“I’m much better. If I focus for a bit, the blurring fades a little.”
“That’s great news,” Dad says. He gets excited about every minor step I take forward.
“How’s Fallon?” Mom asks.
My gaze darts to Fallon’s, and I grin. “She’s good. I’m taking her away for the weekend. Speaking of which, we have a helicopter to catch at five.”
“Oh good, now we don’t have to worry about the two of you on the road. Where are you taking her?” Dad asks.
“Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe. I booked a villa.”
“Aww… my son the romantic. At least I did something right,” Mom coos. “I hope you have a wonderful weekend.”
Then Dad says, “Don’t forget to use protection. I’m too young to be a grandfather.”
Fallon lets out a snort, and she quickly covers her mouth.
“Don’t worry, Dad,” I chuckle. “I have to go. Love you both.”
After a chorus of I love you’s from my parents, I hang up then shake my head. “Well, that just happened.”
“Grab the bags,” Fallon chuckles. “I want to get out of the suite and have you all to myself.” She walks to the door, then pauses. “We have everything, right?”
“Definitely. You checked a couple of times,” I assure her as I pick up the luggage.
“Your eyedrops?”
“Yep.”
“Your eye shields?”
“Yes.”
“Meds for migraines?”
“Fallon,” I stop in front of her and press a kiss to her lips, “Let’s go.”
“Okay.” She