“Everly Rowan,” Alex called out, his hands shoved into the pockets of his black suit. “Put the scissors down and step away from the puppy.” Each word was drawn out with precise enunciation.
“But, Daddy,” she whined. “I want to give her a haircut.”
Ella threw her hands up. “Where in the world did she get scissors?”
I stepped in front of Everly and held out my palm. “Hand them over.”
Matthew scooped up Sugar, our miniature poodle, who wiggled and squirmed in his arms. “Okay, Sugar, time for you to go to your room.”
“Everly, sweetheart,” Alex said, running his hands through his salt and pepper hair. “Grab a drink and go find your brother.”
Ronan handed her a sparkling pink cup with a pink and white striped straw. “Here you go, peanut.”
“Thanks, Uncle Ronan,” she said, tossing her mother and father a smirk. Her blonde curls bouncing as she trekked down the hallway to the kitchen. Matthew reappeared with a drink and a shot of tequila in his hand.
Alex smirked. “We should have paid the nanny triple and had a child free night.”
“Are the security cameras on?” I asked.
My husband nodded and tossed back his shot. “Yeah. She won’t get far.”
“Seriously,” Ella said, placing her hands on her hips. “Where did she get scissors?”
“Who knows?” Alex shrugged, pouring himself a glass of scotch. “She’s headed for a life of crime. Breaking and entering is my guess.”
Holliday laughed. “Nah, Everly will be a world-class cat-burglar—jewels and art just like Selina Kyle.”
“Who’s Selina Kyle, again?” Ronan asked.
In unison, Grady and Alex answered, “Catwoman.”
“Oh yeah,” Ronan said, crossing his leg over his knee. “Michelle Pfeiffer, she was the best Catwoman.”
Grady shook his head. “No way, Halle Berry was, plus, she was a Bond Girl.”
“You’re both wrong, Anne Hathaway was,” Alex interjected. “Hands down, she was a badass. I would hire her—she’d be an awesome addition to Robertsen security.”
“This could go on all night,” Holliday mocked, rolling her eyes.
“Matt, who do you think is the best Catwoman?” Ronan asked.
“I’m more of a Wonder Woman kind of guy,” he said. “Gal Gadot played the part with such compassion. She had heart, all of those qualities made her smart and strong.”
“And she’s sexy,” Ella said, adjusting the straps of her glittering black dress.
Holliday pointed her champagne glass in my direction. “This place needs to be child proofed.”
Ella took a seat on the sofa next to Ronan. “You better do it soon.”
Harlow’s blue eyes went wide. “Wait. What?”
Ella’s fingers flew to her red lips and she closed her eyes. “Shit,” she mumbled.
My entire body froze and Matthew stepped in front of me. “Babe, is there something you need to tell me? Are you . . . ?”
Shaking my head and smiling, I looked over Matthew’s shoulder in Ella’s direction. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, smacking her palm to her forehead.
My gaze travelled back to my husband’s hazel eyes. “Yes, I’m pregnant,” I admitted, with a smile. “I was going to tell you at midnight. Holliday and Ella can’t keep a secret.”
Matthew’s entire face lit up and cheers erupted around room. My husband wrapped me in a warm embrace.
“I’m scared,” I whispered.
“Me too, but I’m also really fucking happy.”
“Same,” I breathed. “I love you.”
“I love you.” My husband cradled my face in his hands, and kissed me.
“Well, thanks a lot for including me in the news,” Harlow said, her voice light with laughter. “Looks like these two can keep a secret, because we were at lunch yesterday and they had every opportunity to spill the news, but they did not.”
“This calls for a toast,” Ronan said, raising his glass.
“Twenty bucks says, it’s an Irish blessing,” Grady mocked.
Alex pulled out his wallet. “You’re on, James.”
“Well, now you’ve ruined it,” Ronan grumbled.
“Nothing is ruined,” Holliday said placing her hand on Ronan’s forearm.
“Third time’s a charm,” Matthew whispered in my ear.
“You think?”
He nodded as his hand skimmed over my stomach. “I do, I really do.”
Harlow went to the task of refilling everyone’s glasses with champagne. Grady brought me a sparkling cider. “I’m so happy for you both,” he said, kissing my cheek.
“Everyone have a glass?” Holliday asked, nuzzling into her husband’s side.
“To Matthew and Tinley,” Ronan began. “As you grow your family tree, and from two, you become three—may you have a healthy and happy pregnancy. Cheers.”
“Here, here,” Alex said, raising his glass. “To another year gone by and the best is yet to come.”
“To The Riot Club,” Harlow added. “True friends are never apart. No distance can separate what is held close in our hearts.”
“To The Riot Club.”
Four words.
Eight friends.
Memories that will last a lifetime.
THE END
Playlist
Heartbreak Warfare by John Mayer
Who’s Loving You by Michael Bublé
i hate u, i love u by Gnash Featuring Olivia O’Brien
Anywhere by Rita Ora
Save It Til Morning by Fergie
Stolen by Dashboard Confessional
Blue Ain’t Your Color by Keith Urban
With or Without You by U2
Don’t Let Me Down by The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya
Come Back To Me by Janet Jackson
You and Tequila by Kenny Chesney
Two Ghosts by Harry Styles
Unforgettable by Thomas Rhett
New Year’s Day by Taylor Swift
Cross My Mind by Arizona
Happier by Ed Sheeran
Good News by Ocean Park Standoff
Wolves by Selena Gomez X Marshmello
What Lovers Do by Maroon 5 Featuring SZA
What’s Love Got to Do With It by DNCE
Heart Break by Lady Antebellum
Highway Don’t Care by Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift
Wildest Dreams by Taylor Swift
Stay With Me by Sam Smith
The Weekends Series
Fifteen Weekends
The Scripted Series
unScripted
Perfectly Scripted
The Harbour Series
Bound to Me
Healed by You
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Matt and Tinley have been with me for a long time, and I really loved getting to know them as a married couple in this book. Missy Borucki, my editor and Cary Hart, my boxed wine and moonpies gurrrllll, thank you for helping me bring this story from my mind to the page.
Many thanks to Christina Westrich and Danielle Kelly who cheer me on tirelessly throughout each book that I write. I owe you both my deepest gratitude for your thoughtfulness and friendship.
To my girls, Rachel Blaufeld and Fabiola Franciso, we’ve been on this journey together going on four years, can you believe it? Thank you for your shoulders to cry on and for talking me off the ledge when someone breaks out the crazy sauce. #SoapyThighs4Life
Andrea Joan, thank you for your friendship and for being a sounding board on anything and everything. I love you to pieces.
My boo, Michelle Rodriguez, the Cagney to my Lacey or vice versa. Your friendship and unwavering support mean everything to me.
To the entire After Hours Book House Admin Crew, thank you for allowing me to share my weird “meat dreams” with all of you.
For the women of FTN, thank you for your ex
traordinary awesomeness and all the support.
Sara Eirew, for the stunning cover, you knew immediately this was the perfect photo for book three. Stacey Blake, thank you for making my books look so gorgeous. I adore working with you.
Linda R, I am looking forward to putting those puzzle pieces together! I have to give you many thanks for you sage advice and positive words of encouragement.
To the book community, for the bloggers, promo companies, authors, and readers who’ve shared my books, embraced these characters, and introduced them to new readers. Thank you.
I want to thank my reader group, Christy’s Classy Lit Chicks (and Guys), After Hours Book House, and Feed the Need, Just Read for being part of my daily. #ClassyAF #AHBH
For my sweet Izzy girl, I love you and I miss you every day. I can’t believe we lost you as I was writing this book. I miss not having you near me when I’m writing, but I know that you are running and jumping with new friends. I will see you at that Rainbow Bridge.
And of course, my husband, Kevin, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without your love and support.
Christy Pastore lives in the Midwest with her husband, their loveable springer spaniel, Bailey, and their crazy cool cat, Boomer. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Textiles, Apparel and Merchandising and Marketing. Writing has always been a part of her life. Her first writing gig was for a celebrity entertainment website. Later she went on to create her own blogazine and media company combining her love of writing with fashion and marketing.
When’s she not writing flirty and dirty books or updating her celebrity fashion blog, she loves shopping online, binge watching her favorite shows and daydreaming.
She believes books, especially love stories are an escape from the real world.
A few of Christy’s favorite things:
Bold Heroine’s—Swoony Hero’s with a Naughty Side—Guilty Pleasure Reads and TV Shows—Designer Handbags—Men In Suits—Black and White Photos—Sexy Accents—Snow—Pinterest—Twitter—Instagram—Wine—Champagne—Soy Latte’s—Gummi Bears—Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches—Pickles—Popcorn—Sparkling Water—Eye Cream—Pedicures—Traveling—80’s Music—Musicals—Movie Trailers—Celebrity Red Carpet Interviews—Award Shows—Making Lists.
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