Mercy (Somerset University #3) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,47

happened and I fell in love with Evergreen. Late-night talks with Caroline on the porch. Watching Adam run around the yard with his friends. Getting frisky with you in the promenade parking lot.”

“That was two times.”

“It might take time for your family to adjust,” I continued, giggling. “But I feel we’ve found our place. Our home.”

“I—”

“Yo, Rick.” Rowen barreled onto the balcony. “You coming?”

“Yes. Give me a second.”

Rowen ducked inside, leaving us alone.

“I feel the same,” Maverick finished. “I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

He bent his neck to take in the second floor. The windows let us see everything—including the guys finding their spot around a poker table. Our five minutes were over. “I’ll go up. You start reading that thing. Find out if there’s a section on keeping encrypted files of data on your brothers.”

“It’s probably in chapter three,” I mocked.

We shared one lingering kiss and then broke apart inside. Maverick headed upstairs and I wandered over to the impressive collection of drinks. Skipping the alcohol, I poured myself a glass of cranberry juice.

The girls gathered in front of the sound system, looking through the music selection. Teagan broke away and began pushing the furniture off the rug. They were gearing up for a dance party and I was gearing up to leave. My sisters and I had a lot to talk about, but I wanted peace and quiet with this book first.

I slipped out as Julien Kelland crooned through the speakers. The butler directed us to the second living room, which meant there was a first.

I returned the way we came and swung left at the end of the hallway. I ended up in a dining room. Continuing through the door at the end, I found what I was looking for. This living room was double the size of the other. The television hanging over the mantle rivaled most movie theater screens. All I needed was a chaise and a lamp.

I spotted both near the fireplace and got comfortable. The book cracked as I opened it—the binding lifting away from the spine. It had years on it and the evidence of changing hands. Owners who dog-eared the pages. Owners who read while eating lunch. Owners who scribbled in the margins.

I was supposed to believe this guide was passed from Sam president to Sam president. Also that somewhere there was one for me.

Flipping to page one, I started reading.

MAVERICK

“I’ve got a fresh deck.” Winston tossed an unopened pack of cards on the table. “Just in case.”

“Just in case what?” Nasir tossed back. “I marked them with invisible ink? Waiting for me to whip out my special sunglasses? You watch too many of those European caper movies.”

“No, you watch too many of them. Can’t have you getting ideas, mate.”

Nasir chuckled, taking the accusation in stride. “Give it here.”

Sawyer leaned over in his seat. “You got Val on board.” His breath washed over me and with it the stench of Laphroaig scotch. “Does this mean you want in?”

“Thought I was in.”

He laughed like I was joking. “Come on. It’s not as easy as taking our money every week. You have to prove yourself and that you can run with the Sams.” Gripping my shoulder, he shook me. “I don’t doubt you will. You’re not a Sam, but you should’ve been.”

I was stuck on the “prove myself” part of the conversation. “What does that mean? What do you expect me to do?”

“Don’t worry about it. You’ll pass.”

“Pass what?”

“Gentlemen,” Hayes spoke. “Ready?”

Sawyer pulled back. Conversation over. “Let’s do this.”

VALENTINA

I closed the book an hour after sitting down.

Small book, short read, head chock-full of conflicting thoughts.

I headed back to the living room where the ladies were deep in their party. Half the bottles from the bar littered on and around the coffee table. They danced barefoot on the rug—jumping and whipping their heads like all they knew about dancing was flinging every limb around at once.

Teagan stayed out of the fray. I plopped beside her on the ottoman. My possible friend grabbed my feet and placed them on her lap.

“You ran away from us. All this too much for you?”

“I can handle a little dancing. I snuck away to do some reading.”

She formed a small “o” with her mouth. “Aiden gave you the book. So, you get it now. Will we have a club for the Sallys?”

I shook my head. “I don’t see that happening while I’m president. I have enough on my plate juggling school, Zeta Rho, and life at home. I can’t