Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe: Roadside Assistance (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Casey Hagen Page A

that. Then there was Edie, hell on wheels, and Jack couldn’t wait to get more time with her.
    Lathan’s parents had been polite, and a bit unsure. Well, she couldn’t blame them. She imagined they’d expected him to bring home someone from their social circle. They hadn’t been unkind, just knocked off-balance by her.
    Francine, well, Jack didn’t know what to make of her. She seemed a bit cold, a bit judgmental, but then, having Edie as a sister had to be a hard act to follow.
    A tentative knock sounded on the door. “Are you alright, dear?”
    “I’m fine..” Jack opened the door and forced a smile.
    “Feeling better?” Annette asked.
    “Yes, thank you.”
    Annette offered a small smile and linked an arm with Jack’s. “Walk with me for a minute.”
    Jack nodded. “Sure.”
    Annette led her through the kitchen white and stainless kitchen into a massive living area with tall windows and walnut furniture. Family photos covered the multiple tables at the ends of the couches and easy chairs.
    Annette picked up the one nearest her, of two teenage boys, with their arms slung around each other. She held the frame out to Jack. “My boys were best friends, before.”
    Jack took the frame and studied the boys. They were both tall, but Liam had a full head of almost black hair, while sun streaked Lathan’s brown hair. They shared those blue eyes. “Before what?” Jack asked.
    “Before Liam died.”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”
    “Lathan didn’t tell you?” Annette pulled back, surprised.
    “Well, I guess it just never really came up.”
    Annette assessed her, and for the first time in Jack’s life she struggle to not squirm under the scrutiny. “You and Lathan haven’t been together long, have you?”
    She knew she should lie. She didn’t want to cause strife, but she just couldn’t do it. Annette had been kind, and Jack was grateful. “No, it hasn’t been long.”
    “Do I want to know exactly how long?”
    Jack laughed in relief at the mischievous smile on Annette’s face. “No, I don’t imagine you do.”
    “Fair enough. Well, let me introduce you to Liam, our oldest.” She held out a picture of Liam dressed in a tux.
    Jack ran her fingers over the glass. Women must have loved that square jaw of his. “How many years are between them?”
    “Two.”
    Jack replaced the picture to its spot. “There are three between my brother and me. He’s always been my best friend, too.”
    “Where are you from?”
    “I live in Placerville.”
    “Hmmmm. So you plan to move to Brentwood?”
    “Well, no. I have a business to run.”
    “Placerville might be too far for Lathan.”
    “There you two are,” Lathan interrupted from the doorway. Jack sighed in relief. She didn’t want to get into the logistics of their arrangement. She hadn’t even gotten into the details with Lathan.
    “Your mom was just showing me some family photos.”
    Lathan pointed to the picture in the front. “That was the day I made varsity. Liam was a senior, so for his final year of high school we played together on the varsity team.”
    “Liam was such a talented boy. There was no limit to what he could do,” Annette said with a tone of wistfulness in her voice.
    Lathan’s jaw flexed, the only sign that the comment bothered him, before he smiled down at her. It wasn’t the smile full of dimples and mischief she had seen thus far. It was a smile made to distract. He didn’t want to go there, and she would respect that. For now.
    The party wound down. Guests drifted out the gates after saying their goodbyes. Jack decided she would make her exit while she could. “I guess I should get going soon.”
    Lathan tightened his hold and brought her hand to his mouth. Goosebumps rose on her skin at the feel of his lips sliding over the skin on the back of her hand.
    “Stay tonight,” he said.
    “Probably not a good idea. I only just broke the news to Jeremy this morning. I’m sure he’s waiting to grill me.”
    “He