Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 122550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Gracen shook her head and wrapped her arm around Samantha.
“Now, what would you really like to try on? Something you like and not what you think you should like to make us happy.”
“Um, well, I did see this cute black T-shirt out there with a neon pink heart on it. And it might look good with this pink skirt I also saw. It was so soft and flowy looking. There was also this flower print sweater that would look cute with some black pants.”
In the end she found herself a new wardrobe.
But she also had an amazing time with Thea, Gracen, Aston, and Samantha. They laughed and teased and had fun.
And that was far more important than the clothes she wore.
51
Jilly was practically dancing around for joy as she entered her house.
Regent had finally agreed to let her see her friends. They were all coming here to help her pack up some things.
He hadn’t been so pleased about that part since he wanted to hire people to pack everything up. And have her friends come to his house.
But she didn’t want them to be intimidated by the huge mansion she now lived in. Maybe after she explained things properly. They’d texted her a lot, especially after Sasha was arrested two weeks ago for hitting Lowell and killing him.
In a stolen car.
She’d been terrified Sasha would talk. But apparently, she was claiming to have amnesia.
Jilly wasn’t sure how much was true. But Regent told her not to worry. That everything was under control.
Mrs. Y had been very upset, which was the other reason she’d wanted to have this get-together. To show her friends she was all right and to cheer Mrs. Yards up.
Plus, she’d also learned that Regent had a big birthday coming up and she wanted her friends help planning it. Gracen, Lottie, Thea, and Aston wanted in on the birthday planning as well.
They had to keep it a secret from Regent, though.
“Where do you want this stuff, Jilly?”
She glanced over at Henri, one of Regent’s men. Regent was thinking of making him her bodyguard. Which she really didn’t think she needed.
“Um, put them in the kitchen. I’ll get all the drinks and nibbles ready. You don’t have to stay with me.”
“Yeah, Jilly. I do.”
He was so stone-faced that she couldn’t see him fitting in. But, oh well.
There was also a guard at the front of the house and one at the back. She didn’t know why that was necessary. It seemed like overkill.
But, Regent insisted.
She started setting everything up.
“Jilly! There’s a guy out here getting frisky with Scott and he’s about to explode.”
She rushed out into the hallway to see Dan and Scott getting the pat-down from Ryan. Another of Regent’s men.
“Ryan! They’re my friends!”
“Just following the rules,” Ryan replied as he let them past.
Scott scowled while Dan gave her a ‘what the fuck?’ look. She shrugged. This was going to take some explaining.
“You can pat me down all like, young man,” Mrs. Y said as she stepped up to the porch.
Ryan smiled at her. But still gave her a pat down.
“Sorry about that,” Jilly said as she led them into the kitchen.
“Don’t be sorry,” Mrs. Yards said. “Most fun I’ve had in years.” She set her knitting bag on the floor as she sat.
“What the fuck is going on?” Scott demanded. He was glaring at Henri. “Who is he?”
“This is Henri. My bodyguard.”
“What the hell? What is going on?” Dan asked.
“Sit down. Get a drink and I’ll tell you.”
She’d discussed with Regent what to tell them. He’d said to tell them that he had family money and a number of businesses. He’d said they might know who his family was but not to get into any discussions about it.
And to say nothing about Sasha.
So that’s what she did. She went through it all, including quitting her job and moving in with Regent.
“I don’t like this,” Scott said predictably.
“I think it’s romantic,” Dan said with a sigh. “He took care of her while she was ill. And she’s loved him most of her life.”
Scott grunted and glanced at Henri. “I’ve heard things about the Malones. Not good things.”
“I love him, Scott. And I won’t hear anyone say anything bad about him. I want us to be friends, so please don’t make me choose between you all.”
Dan scowled at Scott while Mrs. Yards continued to knit. “Well, I’m just glad the drought is broken. Did you make good use of my gifts, dear?”
“Um, well, actually, we did.”
Mrs. Yards grinned. “I knew you had it in you. I just wish Sasha was here. I never thought she’d steal a car and drive drunk. And to run over some poor man and kill him! What was his name?”
“Kenny Malcolm,” Dan said.
Regent had told her that the cops would use his real name. Which was just as well. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain to her friends how Sasha had run over her ex-boyfriend.