The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(34)

Once I’ve finished reading over the schedule for the morning, I iron my favourite black Gucci dress and hang it in the wardrobe. With everything checked off my list, I give Nina a call.

“Hey, babe.”

“Hey!” I smile as the call connects.

“Luce,” I hear Mason’s deep voice echo through the phone. I can imagine them curled up in front of the fire together at the estate.

“Hey, Mase!”

“You sound happy,” Nina observes.

“I do?”

“Uh-huh.” I can tell she’s smiling. “Talk to me, tell me about New York. Is it wonderful?”

“It’s honestly incredible. Everything and nothing like I expected.”

“How do you feel about tomorrow? I’m buzzing for you.”

“I’m terrified.” I chuckle. “But excited too. It feels like everything I’ve worked for has been leading up to this moment.”

“Which is why we’re so proud of you. I still can’t believe you’ve gone. I went to see Meg earlier, and it was just off. I guess it will take some time to get used to you not being around. Have you been exploring?”

“I have. I met a guy called Maxwell, and he offered to show me around the city.”

I hear shuffling in the background. “Maxwell,” Nina repeats.

“He’s a Navy SEAL. Or used to be. He’s in tech now.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re making friends.” It goes quiet, but I can hear Nina mumbling something as if she’s covering the speaker. “What’s his last name, Luce?”

“I don’t know.” I frown. “Why?”

“Hold on.” I hear more shuffling, then the sound of wind rippling before a door closes. “Sorry, Mase is being an ass.”

“What’s he doing?”

“He’s just worrying over nothing.”

“He asked for Maxwell’s last name, didn’t he?”

Nina sighs. “You know what he’s like. I won’t tell him anything more about it. You can talk to me and know that he won’t interfere.”

“I don’t mind that he asked. He’s a good friend, and I’d want the same if it were you. And I get it, but Maxwell seems like a pretty sound guy.” I smile. “I get a good vibe so far.”

I contemplate telling her I met Max on the plane, but I don’t want her to know I had a mini-meltdown and that he offered me medication to calm down.

Instead, I tell Nina all about my day, from breakfast to the moment I called her. She sits and listens to me ramble on until I catch her yawn through the phone. I look at my watch and see that it’s just gone six p.m.

“Nina, it’s past eleven there. You need to sleep.”

“I do,” she agrees, sounding shattered. “Scar’s working crazy shifts this weekend. It’s killing me a little trying to work around her and the kids.”

Nina lives with Mason’s sister at the estate. They get along, and the house is huge, so it’s no issue. If anything, I think it works better for everyone. Scarlet was able to help with childcare when Nina went back to work, and when things set Scarlet’s world spinning, she relied just as heavy on them. I can’t imagine her on her own after what she’s dealt with. “Scar never stops. I don’t think either of you knows how.”

“True,” Nina hums.

“I’m going to find a movie to cry over that will keep me awake past nine. Or maybe Henry Cavill or a Hemsworth is what I need. Get some sleep, okay? Don’t let that handsome husband of yours corrupt your ass.”

“Corrupt my ass… are you okay?”

“I didn’t mean your actual ass.” I laugh out loud. “That’s already at full corruption levels. Breached and fucking sore.” I snort. “You’re safe, though; it’s a Sunday.”

“I’ll have you know we did it on a Friday the other week. Asshole,” she sounds so proud, and it has me doubling over.

Nina once revealed that she lost her anal cherry on a random Tuesday night, and we’ve never let her live it down.

“Right, I’m hanging up.” She huffs.

“I love you!” I tell her, my cheeks still stretched wide.

“I love you, too.” I don’t hang up because I know she isn’t done. “Luce, just be careful, yeah?”

“Nina.” I sober, letting her know I hear her. “I’m not silly. I’ll be as careful and smart as your butt on a Tuesday.”

“I’m never going to live it down, am I?”

“We wouldn’t be your best friends if we let you. Can you imagine being boring and not ribbing each other over the stupid shit we do?”

“I think about that life often. My true dream. It’s punless and glorious.”

“Now you’re making up words. Go to sleep!”

“Good night,” she sings before hanging up.

My head hits the pillow, and I smile up at my phone, feeling good after such a long day.

I get the urge to call Elliot, and I don’t know why. It’s not like we spent every day together at home. It’s late anyway, and I don’t want to wake him.

Maybe we should leave it a day or two.

Let things cool off a little.