Summer’s POV
“Pfft!” I couldn’t help myself. The sound burst from my lips before I could stop it.
Brandon glanced at me, his fingers steady on the steering wheel. “What’s that supposed to mean? Something funny?”
I felt the laughter bubbling inside me.
I stared at him in silence. The worst part was, he wasn’t even joking
His fingers drummed lightly on the steering wheel. “Why so quiet? Are you mad?”
“I honestly don’t know what to say to that,” I pressed my lips together, fighting both annoyance and amusement. “Just drive the car, please.”
I looked down at my phone, scrolling through my messages. That’s when I noticed something odd in my group chat with Ruby and
Scarlett.
My eyes widened. “Brandon Stark! What did you write in my group chat?”
He gave me an innocent look. “I didn’t say anything. That was all your friends.”
“Yeah, right,” I scoffed, scrolling frantically through the conversation. My heart practically stopped when I saw the message sent from my account: “Brandon says he wants to have a whole soccer team worth of kids!”
The responses from Ruby and Scarlett were… colorful, to say the least, Ruby had immediately sent a string of shocked emojis followed by:
“WHAT THE ACTUAL F**?!! A SOCCER TEAM?? Girl, is he SERIOUS? Your body isn’t a damn baby factory! Tell Mr. CEO to keep his swimmers in check unless HE wants to carry those kids!“*
And then:
“OMG wait are you pregnant right now?? SUMMER TAYLOR ANSWER ME!!”
My face burned with heat. God, if they knew what Brandon and I had just done in his office… The memory flashed through my mind -me pressed against that window, Brandon’s hands gripping my hips…
“Brandon!” I hissed. “You are officially banned from touching my phone. Ever. Again.”
“Why?” he asked. “You just used mine. You can look at my phone anytime you want.”
I rubbed my temples. ‘It’s not about the phone itself. There are some jokes you just don’t make. Now they’re going to tease me
about this for months.”
Brandon leaned over, brushing his cheek against mine at a red light. I was just kidding around, I won’t do it again, okay? Don’t be
angry.”
“I’m not angry,” I insisted, melting at his touch.
“Hey, I should add some friends to your WhatsApp,” I suggested. “Sean and Edward must have accounts.”
“They probably don’t,” Brandon cut me off. “I don’t have time for these things. Having you is enough.”
1/3
Chapter 223
Half an hour later, we pulled into the airport. Brandon looked impeccable as always, his tailored suit making him look like he’d stepped off a magazine cover.
As we approached the arrivals area, I spotted a familiar figure.
“Sean?” I called out, surprised. I turned to Brandon. “Did you come together?”
Sean looked up, tucking his phone away with a grin.
“How come you’re here too?” Brandon asked, eyeing Sean with suspicion.
Sean raised his eyebrows, clapping a hand on Brandon’s shoulder. “What, you’re allowed to come, but I’m not? That’s how it is now?”
He turned to me. “Hey there, Summer! Looking gorgeous as always.”
“Hi, Sean,” I greeted him with a smile.
“So who exactly are we meeting?” I asked, glancing between them.
Sean said cheerfully. “You’ll find out soon enough. And Brandon, you sneaky bastard, running off without telling me or Edward.”
“Like you’re any better,” Brandon retorted.
“Wait, is this the other one of you guys?” I guessed.
Brandon’s lips curved into a small smile. “We are indeed picking up Mr. Kennedy.”
“You can call him ‘big brother,” Brandon added, his voice softening. He’s rarely in New York–he’s been abroad for years. Since he heard I got married, I thought I should bring you to meet him.”
“I’d like that,” I nodded, genuinely excited.
Brandon pulled me into his arms right there in the terminal, ignoring the curious stares. I spotted someone lifting a camera phone in our direction, but a single icy glare from Brandon made them lower it immediately.
“God, my eyes,” Sean groaned dramatically. “Could you two maybe tone down the PDA? Some of us single folks are suffering here.”
“Ignore him,” Brandon murmured. “He’s just jealous.”
“Where’s Edward?” Brandon asked.
“He had something come up,” Sean explained. “But he’s already reserved a private room at Manhattan Club for tonight. Said we should all be there to welcome Ethan back properly.”
1
Brandon nodded. “I was thinking the same thing.” He turned to me. You’ll come with me tonight.”
“Are you sure?” I hesitated. “It’s been so long since you guys have seen each other. I don’t want to intrude.”
Brandon chuckled. You’re overthinking. It won’t just be us–others will be there too.”
“Wait,” I realized. “Won’t they know about us then? Are you okay with that?”
“It’s fine,” he assured me. “They’re all trustworthy.”
2/3
Chapter 223
Sean made a tsking sound. “Man, if I’d known you lovebirds were coming together, I wouldn’t have rushed here straight from
surgery.”
“Sounds like I’m not wanted.”
The deep, rich voice came from behind Sean, who froze instantly. Sean’s face morphed into an awkward smile as he turned around.
“Hey, Ethan! Long time no see, buddy!”
The man standing behind Sean was nothing short of breathtaking. Dressed in an impeccable black suit, he carried a coat over one arm and a small leather suitcase in the other. He was even taller than Sean, and his presence seemed to command the entire
terminal.
His dark eyes regarded Sean with cool amusement. “Still the same after all these years, I see.”
Then his gaze shifted, landing first on Brandon, then on me. His expression changed subtly–curiosity replacing mild disdain.
“Brandon,” he said, his lips curving into a slight smile. “It’s been a while.” Then he looked directly at me. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
“It has been a long time,” Brandon agreed. Then he placed his arm around my waist, drawing me closer. “This is my wife, Summer.”
I stared at Ethan, momentarily speechless. He was strikingly beautiful, his features almost too perfect, with a refinement that bordered on delicate without seeming feminine. Where Brandon was all dark intensity, Ethan had an almost ethereal quality- though no less powerful for it.
I suddenly realized I’d been silently staring, and all three men were now looking at me. Brandon’s arm tightened around my waist, his fingers giving me a not–so–gentle pinch.
“Summer, this is Ethan Kennedy,” Brandon said, a slight edge to his voice. “You can call him ‘big brother.“”
I snapped back to reality, feeling my cheeks heat up. “Oh! Um, hello Ethan. I’m Summer!”
