Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Hunter started to follow me, but Jackson grabbed his arm. “Stay here for a minute, would you? We need to talk.”
“About what?” I heard Reid ask behind me.
“Strategy,” Jackson said. “And keeping our stories straight. And mushrooms.”
I laughed as I walked back to the little bedroom I was staying in. Though small, the room looked rather spacious with just my things in it.
I grabbed my equipment bag and walked to their room. Their sleeping bags were spread out in a triangle form, and I studied the scene, thinking about what kind of lighting would be best. It would be more intimate to film them talking about the renovation in semi-darkness, but if no one could see their magnificent bodies, that would defeat the purpose.
After some careful thought, I set up a few ring lights in some strategic spots. That should do it.
But as I waited for the guys, it seemed to me that the room needed one more thing. I went back to the smaller bedroom and got my sleeping bag. I took it and my pillow and dragged them back to the guy’s room.
I was done sequestering myself away from them for form’s sake. Maybe I’d be less nervous when I was out with them if I spent more time with them. And frankly… that was something I wanted anyway. There was just something about the triplets that pulled me in. Me and a lot of other people, judging by how popular their videos were.
I was in my pajamas when the guys arrived and saw four sleeping bags, not three. No one said anything but as I looked around the room, I saw three identical smiles.
13
PENNY
On Wednesday, I woke up warm and cozy. A bit too warm and cozy. Someone was pressed up against my back. Even through two layers of sleeping bag, I could feel the heat from his skin. And my outstretched hand was less than an inch away from a bare chest. Maybe Reid’s? It was hard to know.
I sat up trying not to disturb the triplets. Except there were only two of them there. Did that make them twins?
Jackson appeared at the door to the bedroom. At least I was pretty sure it was him. Since I was wedged between his brothers, I accepted the hand he offered. He practically lifted me up, almost off the floor and extracted me from the dog pile. Or maybe we had been snuggled together like hamsters at the pet store.
I smoothed out my pajamas—I was wearing a silky button-down pajama top with matching shorts—and followed Jackson out into the living room.
He headed to the kitchen, but I stopped dead.
Jackson noticed and turned back. “What?”
“The loft,” I said in amazement. “It’s there.”
“Most of it,” he said. “It’s not finished by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s safe to go up there. Want to see it?”
“Maybe a little later,” I said, still staring at it. These guys—and the crews they hired—worked fast. “After I’m dressed.”
He smiled. “Our loft doesn’t have a dress code.” His gaze ran down my body and stayed on my bare legs. A bit self-consciously, I stared right back. He had on a white undershirt that showcased his powerful biceps and shoulders.
I followed him in the kitchen. “No donuts today?”
He grinned. “We try not to let that be a regular thing. But if you want to go get some, be my guest.”
“No car,” I pointed out.
“Right, I forgot. What’s the status on that?”
“The mechanic said I can pick it up this afternoon. Hopefully that means it’s running.”
“Or he means you can take it home and bury it,” Jackson quipped. Then he grimaced. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. It is on its last legs. Or, wheels.”
He nodded and looked thoughtful. “Are you going to be all right with the bill?” He seemed to be choosing his words carefully.
“Yes.” Thank goodness for credit cards.
I wasn’t sure he believed me, but he moved to the small dorm-sized refrigerator we were using until the new appliances were installed. He pulled out a white Styrofoam container and peeked into it. Then his nose wrinkled and closed the lid.
“Spoiled?”
“No. Hunter puts a ton of hot sauce on his leftovers because he knows Reid and I won’t eat it. What about you? Do you have taste buds of steel?”
That made me laugh. “Definitely not.”
“Guess only Hunter’s getting breakfast today.”
“If you lend me a car, I’ll go get something after I’m dressed.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Does that mean if I don’t lend you a car, you’ll stay in your pajamas for the day? Because I’ve got to say, I like those little shorts.”
I blushed but smiled. “Sorry, that’s not how it works.”
He gave a theatrical sigh. “Too bad. But sure, you can go get food, but I’m paying.”
“I can—”
“Nope. My treat.”
“Thanks.” I felt like I was thanking him on behalf of both myself and my poor credit card. It was going to get a real workout before I found a permanent job.