Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,23

it wasn’t a cold night. I felt warm and comfortable just for being in his arms.

Back and forth we swayed on the bare granite. I smiled into his neck.

“You never told me you slow danced,” I whispered. “You’ve been holding out on me.”

I felt his chuckle on my lips. “I can’t give away all my secrets.”

Jaxson brushed my hair away and pressed his mouth to my ear. Softly he sang to me—loving, beautiful lyrics about being with the one you love until the world ended and after.

I was wrong. This night could be more incredible.

JAXSON

“What time should I get you?”

“My modern dance class gets out at three,” said Val. “I’ll head over to the Sally house to do some campaigning and you can pick me up there.”

“Sounds good, baby. I’ll take you around the department and show off the broom closet I work in.”

She laughed. “Will I get to meet anyone? Your boss? Gwen?”

“You can meet them all. I’ll even introduce you to whoever’s recording today.”

“Really? That would be amazing.”

The excitement in her voice made me out-of-control happy, and a little smug.

“You can’t listen to them sing a word, but there’s no rules against saying hi.”

Her squeal pierced my ear. “Forget campaigning. Pick me up after my class gets out. I love you. Bye.”

“Love you too.”

I hung up and shoved the phone into my pocket. Gwen looked at me over the rim of her hot cocoa.

The two of us were at the café picking up Bianca’s, Dad’s, and Daniel’s orders. Gwen came along to make sure I didn’t forget anything. We stopped to indulge in a treat of our own.

“Want half of my burrito?” I offered. For some reason, I was craving Mexican.

“Don’t mind if I do.” Gwen helped herself. “So who do you have to get?”

I reclined in my seat, basking in a rare chill minute. “Val. She’s stopping by the label today.”

“Ah yes, Valentina Moon,” she said wistfully. “A lady oft spoken about but never seen.”

Chuckling, I tossed my napkin at her. It bounced off her left cheek. She retaliated by whapping me under the table. We busted up.

I liked Gwen. If I thought about it, I might have said I liked her a lot. She was cool, fun, and into music. All the makings of someone I could call friend if that was something I did easily.

I made friends years ago. Real ones. The kind that died for you. The kind that killed for you. Stacked up against that, other relationships seemed a cheap waste of time. But not Gwen. Maybe.

“The legends and stories are true,” I said. “The great and beautiful Valentina Moon does exist and will grace us all with her presence this afternoon.”

“I can’t wait to meet her.” A grin stole over her face. “I’m sure Serena will love her too.”

I groaned. “We’re keeping those two far apart. Matter of fact, I’m recruiting you for interference. Val doesn’t mess around. I may have to endure being Serena’s bitch in silence, but Val won’t watch that shit quietly.”

Gwen scrunched up her face. “Serena might behave herself. She’s an interview type. She knows when to put on a show.”

“But just in case, you have my back?” I put up my hand.

“I have your back, J.”

We shook like spies walking into a potentially fatal mission.

“While we’re talking about the great and beautiful Valentina Moon,” Gwen began. “Can I ask how it... you know... works with the five of you? Devastatingly, you insist you’re not with the boys too—”

“Dammit, Gwen.” I yanked on my collar, pointing at a spot on my neck. “See that? That right there? That’s the rash I get whenever I sense you fantasizing about me and my boys. They’re basically my brothers. It’s all kinds of wrong.”

Gwen laughed so hard, cocoa dribbled down her chin. “That’s a hickey, perv,” she retorted. “And fine. I’m sorry. But that gives me more questions. You and your brothers are cool with dating the same girl?”

I shrugged. “We didn’t grow up thinking we’d be living and making babies with the same woman. Nah. But a lot of stuff went down between us in high school and it kind of worked out this way. I’ve got regrets but not about where Val and I ended up.”

Dropping her eyes, Gwen gazed into the depths of her chocolatey drink. “Still... don’t you ever wish it could just be the two of you? Building a life and future that’s yours.” She twirled her stirrer with her fingertip, eyes growing unfocused. “I could