Mercy (Somerset University #3) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,38

serious. Was there a number you called? Or a website I should be signing up with?”

I chuckled. “Trust me, I got those guys the hard way. A website or phone call would’ve been much easier.”

“Sawyer is romantic like that,” Teagan mused. “He surprises me with flowers on the doorstep and trips to the beach because it’s where we had our first kiss.” A grin played on her lips. “Don’t tell anyone—especially him—but I think he’s working up the courage to propose.”

Eve gasped. “Really? What will you say if he does?”

This is what my time with my stray sisters was all about. We got together, made yummy food, watched movies, and dished about everything that went on in our lives. I was shocked to admit how much I enjoyed it.

A big part of me wishes this could be every day with the Sallys. No pressure. No seventy-five minutes of clocked intense exercise or minimum grade point averages. No undercurrent of seriousness in everything we do—even bonding activities.

“How is it going in here, ladies?”

No Jade Ortega.

“Great,” said Sabrina. “Val dug up a recipe for meatball-stuffed garlic bread. We’re eating it in honor of our movie for tonight. Inception is a dream within a dream, so we’re eating a food within a food.”

“Clever. Anything I can help you with?”

Teagan looked around. “Kendra is on the meatballs. Eve and I are doing the sauces. Sabrina is rolling out the dough and Val’s putting the final creation together. Are we allowed to ask you to make the cocktails? Manhattans?”

Jade peeked at the whiskey and vermouth on the kitchen counter. “I definitely didn’t pick those up with this month’s groceries. But you are all over twenty-one.” She winked. “I don’t see why not.”

“All right.” Teagan clicked her tongue. “You’ve just earned yourself a spot on the couch eating calorie-laden heart attacks of deliciousness and feasting on Leonardo DiCaprio.”

“It’s my lucky night.” Charmed by Teagan, Jade joined our group. I didn’t blame her. Teagan was the charming sort.

But is she the sort to trade her silence in exchange for Aiden and his friends’ offer of... what?

I returned from Costa Rica a week and a half ago. Since then I settled into the same routine with the girls, and if Teagan noticed me watching her a little closer, she gave no sign of it.

There’d been another poker game the Friday that passed. Maverick up and decided not to go—likely owing to my promise to jump through the car window as he sped off, determined not to let him go there alone.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have forever to fob them—and me—off. We had a month left of summer vacation and who knew if they’d continue their weekly games with a bunch of Sams overhead.

I should ask her about it. Like Aiden, she’s gotta assume Maverick told me everything. I have always favored the direct approach.

“Teagan, can we talk after we’re done?”

“Sure,” she replied. She didn’t sound the slightest bit worried about the conversation. “How much should we make?”

“Let’s finish off the dough. If we can’t eat it all, I’ll bring it home to my boys.”

“You’re so mature and evolved, Val.” Eve slid in next to me, carrying her bowl of marinara sauce. “One relationship can be tricky. You have four and you make it look so easy. How’d you convince them all to be okay with it?”

“Believe it or not, they didn’t need convincing. I was the one twisting myself into knots about dating four guys and thinking I’d lose all of them if I suggested it. While the whole time they thought it was the obvious solution to being in love with the same girl.”

Kendra groaned. “Okay, seriously, prez. Do not hold out on me with this number! Where do I find guys like this?!”

“Kendra, you are adorable stuffed in Mary Janes and wrapped in a winning bow of smart and witty. You don’t need a number.”

“Ah. You’re so good for my self-esteem, Val.”

I snorted. I truly liked this bunch. I would protect them from Aiden and whatever his true motives are. Even if his rich buddies Hayes, Nasir, Rowen, and Winston are involved. Even if Teagan is too.

The girls finished off the prep and passed their creations on to me. One by one, they trickled out of the kitchen, moving into the living room, until it was just me and Teagan. She picked up a slice of dough and a meatball, working side by side with me.

“You wanted to talk to me about something?”

“It’s about the poker games.”

“Ahh.”