“No.” I stand, crossing the room and opening the door.
A courier stands there holding a flat envelope. “Parker O’Ryan?”
“Yeah.”
He extends his hand and I take it from him while glancing down at the address.
My name. No return address.
“Have a good night,” the guy says, already retreating.
“You too,” I mumble, closing the door. The weight of the envelope feels wrong in my hand. I look out the window and it’s a legitimate shipping carrier.
Something feels off.
Yet nothing is out of place.
Behind me, Annika rustles with the throw blanket. “Who was it?” she asks.
I walk behind her and slap the envelope against my other hand. “Nothing interesting, just a contract I forgot about for the foundation.”
I am expecting a contract but usually I have all my foundation stuff go to the Armadillo facility so I can go over it with the staff of attorneys. So, I toss it onto my office desk and will deal with it tomorrow.
But something tells me, this isn’t about me— it’s about the woman I’m dating with two names.
TWENTY-SEVEN
ANNIKA
Margarita night is in full swing and seems louder than last time.
Not just noise, but life. Laughter bounces off the walls, glasses clink, music hums low beneath all of it like it’s the heartbeat of the place.
But this time, I’m not alone. Since Parker told his family about us, I told Jenna. And after a lot ofI told you so’sandI knew it’s, I invited her for moral support.
We order at the bar and Jenna clutches her margarita like she’s been invited to some exclusive club, eyes wide as we approach their table.
“This is insane,” she whispers. “I can’t believe I’m here.”
“You’re here. They’re normal people,” I mutter.
“Define normal when Parker and his brothers look like God sent them here to rule and his family looks like…” She gestures wildly, “this.”
Noelle lights up first. “Anna!” She pops up from thebooth like she’s known me forever, crossing the space and pulling me into a hug. “And you brought a friend.”
“This is Jenna, my receptionist and?—”
“Your favorite receptionist,” Jenna cuts in, sticking out her hand, and I’m afraid she’s going to curtsy.
Noelle grins. “Oh, I like her already.”
I elbow Jenna. “I was going to say friend, but you interrupted.”
Jenna nearly falls out of the booth. “I can’t believe I’m having drinks withTHEBirdie.”
Settling into the big round booth, Birdie slides in last, effortlessly glowing in thatI’m-a-pop-star-but-also-your-best-friendway.
They order their drinks and while we’re waiting, Sutton says, “So,” folding her arms on the table, eyes sharp and questioning. “We’ve heard things.”