Page 129 of Paparazzi Perfect
“Tell you what.” Karson grinned. “If it happens again, you’re welcome to serve your time here.” They both cracked up.
“Got room for me as well?” Sass jumped in. “You’d barely notice me.” She flashed a smile and pressed her hands together as the group laughed.
A waiter stopped beside us with more champagne, and I reached for one of the delectable finger foods.
***
The powerful rumble of an engine cut through the room. Karson and I turned toward the windows, our eyes locking on the lime-green McLaren in the driveway.
“Nice,” Karson said under his breath as I stared, wide-eyed.
Another high-revving engine wailed in the distance, growing louder by the second. A few moments later, a Ferrari thundered into the driveway, pulling in behind the McLaren.
Karson rubbed his hands together in excitement. “That might be Dyson.” We moved onto the front porch as the engines fell silent one after the other.
“It is,” Karson laughed, as Dyson pulled in and waved from the window.
As we started toward the driveway, a cab pulled in behind the two supercars. The back doors swung open then two guys jumped out. One of them was a little—OK, a fair bit—taller than me, with the same caramel-colored hair.
“Jai!” I shouted, running toward him.
“Hey, sis,” he drawled, lifting me off my feet in a tight hug before dropping me back to the ground. “Good to see you home safe from your adventures.”
He stared at the house before he let out a low whistle. “Bloody hell, check this place out. Pretty fancy.”
“Not too bad at all.” I laughed. “I’m so glad you’re here.” I hugged him again briefly. “I was about two seconds away from reporting you missing.”
“Nah, not missing. Just chasing waves.” The corner of his mouth lifted as he nodded toward the raven-haired man opposite him. “And this is Ryan… my boyfriend.”
“Ryan, great to meet you,” I said, squeezing his arm lightly.
“Lovely to meet you too, Ivy.” He smiled brightly.
“Ryan, I remember you from the video call.” I grinned. “What a relief you two share a love of the ocean that won’t interfere with your surfing obsession.”
“I know, right?” they both replied, making us all laugh.
I crossed my arms over my chest, studying them. “So, who’s the better surfer?” I asked, tilting my head to the side.
“I reckon we’re about even,” Ryan said with a flash of perfect teeth.
“That’s what he thinks,” Jai countered with a chuckle.
We ambled up the driveway to where Karson watched as Dyson leaned into the Ferrari, pointing at the controls, then he called out, “Ivy. hello, love. You keeping this one under control? You’ve put a permanent smile on his face.” He winked.
“Hey! I’m right here.” Karson chuckled, planting a fake side kick against Dyson’s thigh. Dyson grabbed Karson’s shin before they fell apart laughing and pulled each other into a hug.
When the laughter died down, I turned to the rest of the group. “Hey, everyone, this is my brother, Jai, and his boyfriend Ryan,” I said.
“Hey, Jai, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.” Karson shook his hand. “Ryan, great to meet you.”
“Good to meet you too,” the boys replied.
“One thing, though, Karson,” Jai said, pointing at him with mock seriousness. “You break my sister’s heart, and we’ll have a problem.”
Karson’s brows lifted as their eyes met. “What kind of problem?”
Jai held the look for a beat. “A surf-off problem.”
