Family Bonds- Drew and Amanda (Amore Island Book 2)

by Natalie Ann

  “This is the master and my room.”

  He knew the house had four bedrooms and two full baths. Master on the first floor, the other rooms and bath on the second floor.

  He popped his head in. It was nice and neat, just like the rest of the house he’d seen so far. He looked in the bathroom quickly, again, clean and organized. “No leaky pipes or anything?”

  “Everything is good.”

  They went back through the kitchen and all the rooms and sunroom on the first floor, then up the stairs. He opened the first door and saw the bed made and a few possessions. Not a lot, but someone was in this room. The same with the next two rooms, more possessions in them too.

  “Roommates?” he asked.

  “Yes.” She lifted her chin up a bit higher. “There was nothing in my lease that said I couldn’t have roommates. Each one has a sublease with me that is signed. I can show you if you need to see them.”

  He grinned at her. That could be what all the niceties were about. He knew what the leases said and they never specifically said renters couldn’t have roommates or sublease. “Just four people?” he asked.

  “Yes. I did read that there can’t be more people than the number of bedrooms if it’s just a single person on the lease.”

  “Then it looks like everything is on the up and up. The place is immaculate and I thank you for that.”

  Probably the nicest he’d come in contact with so far. Nothing had been trashed, but a lot of tenants didn’t treat the house as well since it wasn’t theirs. He could see that wasn’t happening here.

  “Thank you. I would have hated to tell my three roommates they needed to find other accommodations when it’s hard on the island. Both with availability and affordability.”

  “Agreed,” he said. “My brother and I are looking into putting another apartment complex up on the island as we understand the need for more affordable housing.”

  “That’s a good idea,” she said.

  “So what do you do here on the island if you don’t mind me asking?”

  They were back downstairs now and he was waiting to see if she was going to push him out the door and on his way now that she wasn’t worried her roommates would have to leave the premises.

  “I’m a hairdresser at Hair We Are.”

  He knew where it was. Not far from here. The more he looked at her the more it made sense too. Her long blonde hair was surfer wavy, almost picture perfect. She didn’t have a lot of makeup on and didn’t need it either. Her clear blue eyes almost dominated her face, pulling him in like a riptide on the beach the minute he walked in the door.

  “And your roommates?” he asked. “Just curious more than anything again.”

  She hesitated a moment. “It’s not a secret. If you wanted to see their subleases you’d get their names anyway. Bri is a bank teller. Sidney is a bartender, and Kayla works at Bond Retreat.”

  “Kayla Rivers?” he asked.

  “Yes. I want to say I’m surprised you put that together, but it’s kind of hard not to when it’s the talk of the island.”

  “And in the family,” he said. “All good though.”

  “That’s nice to hear. She was worried. I suppose she has cause. If you haven’t met her, she’s a doll.”

  He hadn’t met his cousin Hunter’s fiancée yet, but it was the news in the family that straight-laced Hunter was engaged and going to be a daddy at the same time.

  His mother was all over it like pixie dust on Tinker Bell’s wand just reminding him and his brothers that people came to Amore Island for love. And the Bonds are bound to find it when they least expect it. Proof was Hunter.

  He’d been ignoring her messages and calls as best as he could, but she stopped in the other day and pretty much trapped him and Bode. They had to listen to it for thirty minutes before Bode got a call and was able to sneak out. Drew hadn’t been so lucky and had another twenty minutes of it to listen to before he got a call and could push his mother out the door.

  “I haven’t heard anything negative from a family member,” he could say back honestly. “Hunter is pretty subdued and all I’ve heard is how happy he is. In our family, that is really all that matters.”

  “It is,” she said. “Not many people have families like that though.”

  Some of the shine was lost on her, but he knew enough to keep that comment to himself. “I appreciate you taking the time out of your day for this. I hope you didn’t miss work or appointments for it. I’m trying to be flexible with people.”

  “Not at all. I’m off on Sundays and Mondays. It was actually perfect timing. And since you know who Kayla is, she’s transitioning into Hunter’s place little by little.”

  “It’s probably none of my business why she hasn’t moved in yet, but I’m more curious than anything.”

  “I think it’s nothing more than we all get along. I consider her like a little sister. She was here before you showed up today.”

  He nodded his head. “And you plan on renting out her room?” he asked.

  “If I find the right person. I’m in no rush. Money isn’t an issue that I would let anyone move in. It takes time to figure out who would fit best. With winter coming, less will consider a move to the island. It will probably stay empty for a bit unless I hear of someone through word of mouth.”

  “I’ll let you know if I hear of anyone, if you don’t mind.”

  “That would be great,” she said.

  He stood up to leave after taking another cookie, knowing he was probably overstaying his welcome. Normally he couldn’t get these visits over with fast enough.

  “Thank you again for your time.” He pulled a card out of his pocket. “If you have any issues or problems, you can call the office. My brother Bode’s team will handle most of the repairs, but I’m available if you have any other questions or concerns.”

  “Let me get you a plate of cookies to take with you.”

  “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

  “You didn’t,” she said. “I’m often referred to as the mom of the house. I guess it’s just second nature to me to offer.”

  “Well then, if you don’t mind,” he said with a big grin on his face. “Maybe I’ll share with Bode since he’s been rubbing my face in the fact I lost the coin toss and had to do these visits.”

  Rather than be insulted she laughed. “Is it really that bad?”

  “You tell me. I bet you were sweating I’d call you out on the roommates as much as I was sweating the long list of demands you might have had.”

  She tilted her head to the side. “No comment.”

  4

  Other Plans

  The minute Drew Bond was out of the house, Amanda let out a big breath.

  Wow, that went better than she thought it would.

  Not just the meeting but the man.

  Tall, dark brown hair, brown eyes. A smile that would melt any woman’s heart on top of it.

  No one had even warmed her heart up in years. Least of all with a simple smile, some good manners, and a great personality.

  She’d thought for sure he was going to comment on her roommates and didn’t. He even recognized Kayla by her first name and where she worked. She wondered if that had something to do with it?

  Nah. He didn’t seem like someone that would back down from that. If it was a rule and he wanted her to change or push her roommates out, he would have said it.

  There was a knock at the door and she wondered if Drew forgot something. Or maybe he wanted some more cookies. He’d seemed shocked that she had them out for him. She had manners, she was raised well, even if her family didn’t follow those manners themselves.

  Or only when it worked for them.

  “Why are you knocking?” she asked Kayla when she opened the front door.

  “I didn’t know if he was still here and didn’t want to walk in like I lived here.”

  “He left a few minutes ago. You couldn’t tell with only my car in the driveway?”

  Kayla wal
ked by her and into the kitchen. They always seemed to gather around the table. Images of that had been her dream. A big family that she could talk to while she cooked dinner.

  Kids that she could help with their homework or find out what was going on in their lives.

  None of that came true though. Not yet. Maybe someday.

  “There are cars in the road, I wasn’t sure if one was his or not.”

  “That’s true. Do you want some cookies?”

  “You know I do,” Kayla said, grabbing a bottle of water and sitting down. “Come and relax. Tell me how it went. Do we all need to pack up and leave? You could have lied and said it was your stuff in the rooms.”

  “No. I’d never lie and you know that. I was honest with who lived here. Drew asked where everyone worked. I only gave first names and their jobs. He knew right away who you were.”

  “Really?” Kayla asked, reaching for the plate of cookies. “I didn’t think I’d last this long before I grabbed one. What did he say about me?”

  Kayla always worried what people thought and said about her even if she said she didn’t.

  Amanda had stopped worrying about what people thought of her when she found out she was a pregnant teen.

  No one wanted her to keep the baby. No one wanted to acknowledge she was pregnant.

  She didn’t care. She wanted her baby and she’d had it all planned out.

  That was when she realized life had other plans for her.

  “He didn’t say much,” she said. “Just asked if it was who was engaged to his cousin. He said he hadn’t heard anything negative said in the family, only that Hunter was really happy and in the Bond family that is all that matters.”

  Kayla’s eyes started to fill. “Yeah, I’m learning that. They stick together. Nicole has been so welcoming to me. I’ve never had a mother before and though it’s late in life to have one now, it’s really nice too. I’ve got so many questions with the baby and my body and it’s nice to talk to someone that has been through it.”

  She smiled. There was no reason to say she’d been through it. She hadn’t even known she was pregnant until she was almost out of the first trimester. She’d never been regular with her period and had no symptoms other than really tender breasts two months in. Little by little it all clicked.

  Kayla had been sick a few times, she was tired, she was hungry, she was hormonal. She was everything that Amanda wanted to be at some point.

  “I’m so happy for you. You deserve everything you are getting now.”

  “I never thought I did,” Kayla said, sniffling a little. “I don’t know how I got so lucky to catch Hunter’s eye. I guess it was just my day that Patrice was sick and Hunter interviewed me instead.”

  “Come on,” Amanda said. “You said you ran into him in the hallway first. You’d caught his eye before the interview, you know it.”

  “Yeah, he was probably wondering what this train wreck of a woman was doing in the hotel, let alone being his candidate for an employee.”

  “Fate,” Amanda said. “I’ve never believed in it myself. Least of all everything that is said about the island. I’ve been here two years and have only been on about five dates and they never worked out well.”

  “I can’t figure it out,” Kayla said. “You’re such a sweetheart. Any guy would be lucky to end up with you.”

  “You tell that to the next one that catches my eye,” she said, laughing.

  “Did Drew catch your eye?”

  “What? Why did you ask that?” She didn’t think she was giving anything away that she found Drew attractive. That maybe she was hoping it was him coming back and not Kayla.

  “You were almost blushing when you opened the door. Then you looked disappointed it was me.”

  She narrowed her eyes at Kayla. “You’re making that up.”

  “Am I? You didn’t deny it.”

  His shoulders dropped. “He was pretty good looking, but he’s a Bond. That’s kind of a given. I’m not sure I’ve seen any Bonds that didn’t catch a woman’s eye.”

  “So he was friendly?” Kayla asked. “Everyone gets to stay?”

  “He was really nice. I think I softened him up with cookies.”

  “And you sent him home with a plate, didn’t you?”

  “You know I did. Just like I’ll send one with you.”

  “Thank you,” Kayla said. “Hunter will appreciate it. I’ve got to learn to bake more. I’m doing good with dinner and all your help.”

  “You don’t need to cook when you can call down to the restaurant anytime you want.”

  Hunter lived in the penthouse of Bond Retreat.

  “I can but I don’t like doing that. I’m not used to his life. I’m not used to the money. I cook dinner for us. He is the one that calls down, not me.”

  “And I’m sure he is pushing you to do it too, isn’t he?”

  “He is, but there is time yet. And I came back here because I need to ask you something.”

  “Shoot,” she said.

  “Will you be my maid of honor? I know I joke you’re like a mom to me, but you’re my best friend.”

  Amanda stood up and walked to the other side of the table and pulled Kayla up for a hug. “You know I will! I’m so honored.”

  “You don’t think Bri or Sidney will be upset if I don’t ask them, do you? We want to keep it small. I’d like Hailey to be in the wedding.”

  “I think it’s lovely you want Hunter’s sister as a bridesmaid. Does Hunter know who he is asking on his side of the family?”

  “There are so many men in the family. I’m not sure. He talks to and about so many I can’t keep up. I’ve heard Drew’s name before but again we haven’t been together for long so I’m still hearing a lot of names and piecing people together. I’m sure it’s going to be family though. If I was to guess, I’d bet it’d be his two cousins Skyler and Roark. I just want a small wedding. I don’t even have anyone to give me away.”

  “Oh, sweetie. Don’t let it upset you.”

  “I almost thought of asking Hunter’s grandfather. Stephen has been the best. He’s always so supportive of Hunter too.”

  “I think that Hunter’s grandfather would be honored if you asked him. You’re not worried about Hunter’s father?”

  “No,” Kayla said. “Charlie has finally come around, but we aren’t close. He’s just kind of quiet. It’s much better than it was, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking him.”

  “Then do what you feel comfortable with. That day is all about you and Hunter. No one else.”

  “I know, but I don’t think it is. His mother is going nuts on the wedding plans. I told her small and she almost laughed me out of the room. I have no one to invite but a few friends.”

  “Let her do what she wants,” she said. “Hunter’s family is huge and you’ll get to meet everyone at once.”

  And Amanda might get to see Drew again. Why did that thought just pop into her head?

  “I know. I’ve kept my mouth shut. I don’t like or want the attention.”

  “You better get used to it being married to a Bond.”

  “So Hunter keeps reminding me. And I better get going.”

  “Hang on.” She walked to the counter and grabbed a plate. “Don’t forget your cookies.”

  “Thanks. I might eat half of these before I get home.”

  “Guess Junior has a sweet tooth.”

  She watched Kayla leave and opened the fridge to figure out what she was going to make for dinner when she heard the front door open and close.

  “Do we still have a place to live?” she heard Bri ask. Sidney was right behind.

  “You’re both stuck with me. It went well. He was very nice.”

  “Which Bond was it?” Bri asked.

  “Drew. He said he lost the coin toss with his brother Bode ”

  “I wonder if he’s single,” Bri asked. “Did you ask him? Did he have a ring on his finger?”

  “She’d never ask,” Sidney said. “She’s
not like you wanting to date every hot guy she sees.”

  “How do you know he’s hot?” Amanda asked.

  “Because his last name is Bond and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one that wasn’t good looking. But tell me if I’m wrong.”

  “You’re not,” she said with a big smile on her face.

  Bri laughed. “Oh man, there is a twinkle in your eye. You never blush and you’re blushing. What did we miss?”

  Wow, she was going to have to get better control of her emotions if Bri could spot all of this.

  “You didn’t miss much. He’s very nice. Very polite. He had some coffee and cookies and I walked him around the house, then I sent him home with a plate for later.”

  “Sounds boring,” Bri said.

  “Sounds like someone Amanda would get along with,” Sidney corrected.

  “Get it out of both of your heads. I’ll probably never see him again. Or if I do, it will only have to do with this house.”

  “Maybe we should break something and then you need to call him,” Bri said.

  “He said his brother Bode deals with the repairs. Let it drop, you two.”

  Sidney eyed her hard, then grinned, but walked away. Bri lost interest for the most part once she found out Drew was “boring” in her eyes.

  But Sidney was right. Drew was about perfect in hers. If she was looking. Which she wasn’t.

  5

  The Cute One

  “So where is my long list for this house?” Bode asked the next morning. He didn’t even bother to knock on Drew’s office door, just walked in like he owned the place. Well, he kind of did...the same as Drew.

  “No list.”

  “Seriously? That has to be a first. Are those cookies?”

  Drew grabbed the plate from the corner of his desk that still had about half a dozen left. He thought he was going to be sick last night when he realized he’d eaten another four of them when he got back from Amanda’s place. They were just so tempting.