Enticing Interlude (Tempest #2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

scarfing a bowl of cereal. Suddenly, Lace’s cell bleeped with an incoming text.
    She picked it up, looked at the screen, and smiled broadly. “He did it.” She glanced over at Bryan. “Justin told Mary he wants a tryout. That he won’t agree to join the group unless you guys want him to. Isn’t that great, Bry?”
    “Yeah.” Bryan appeared stunned by the news.
    Lace’s thumbs moved quickly as she typed into her phone. Her cell bleeped again almost immediately. “Justin says he’ll meet us at studio eight at noon,” she relayed the message. “I’ll just text everyone to let them know.” When she was done, she set down her phone and turned to me. “This all worked out because of you, Gigi. Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome,” I replied automatically. “But I didn’t really do anything. If this Mary’s as scary as you all think, it’s really Justin who stuck his neck out.”
    “She’s a total badass.” Lace’s eyes rounded. “Shit.” She gasped and reached over and covered Carter’s ears.
    I snorted. “It’s too late for that. He already heard you. And anyway, you won’t teach him anything new. Unfortunately, he’s known all the major swears since he was three. Meemaw used to curse something fierce. I gave up trying to shield him and focused my energy on teaching him not to repeat them instead.”
    “I’m sorry about her passing.” Lace’s expression turned sympathetic. “It’s obvious you were really close.”
    “Thanks,” I mumbled eyes filling as I’d gotten accustomed to them doing so readily lately. She had no idea. Her absence had left a terrible void, one I knew no one could ever fill. The trick was to keep busy so I didn’t dwell too much on it.
    “You should go into the studio with us today.” Lace took my hand from where it rested beside my empty coffee cup and squeezed. “It’ll be fun, and I want you to meet my brother. Diz is really cute. And the rest of the guys are too, of course.”
    “I appreciate the offer, but I really should prioritize getting Carter enrolled in kindergarten.” I pulled in a deep breath through my nose. I had a lot to do to get us settled. “And then I need to figure out the public transportation system so I can look for a job, and I need to find us a permanent place to live, and…”
    “Bridget, stop,” she interrupted, concern causing a crease between her eyes. “You and Carter are welcome to stay here for as long as you need to.”
    “Thank you.” I wasn’t used to generosity like that. In the world I came from, gifts always had a price tag on them.
    “And didn’t you just tell me last night that your grandmother left you a sizeable inheritance?”
    I nodded. It was not even close to what I might once have had, but it was more than enough for Carter and me to live on if we’d been able to stay in her house that was all paid off back in Florida. But not nearly enough considering the rent and utility bills we’d face each month here. “But I don’t want to impose on you any longer than necessary.”
    “You’re not imposing. I like having you and Carter around.” She ruffled Carter’s already mussed bed head hair. “And anyway don’t you think you should take at least a day to get settled? Carter and I have a game we need to finish, too. Don’t we buddy?”
    He nodded enthusiastically. I suspected he was way past simple adoration and well into full out obsession mode with my beautiful friend. “Please, Mommy.” He blinked his cute little baby blues at me. “I’d like to play more video games with Miss Lace and I’d like to go see her rock star friends.”
    “Ok.” I exhaled. “But Carter, you know Miss Lace is a real rock star herself. I showed you the magazine pictures of her with Tempest and Bryan, too. He’s the guitarist.”
    Carter’s eyes went back and forth between the two of them and then got big. He hopped off his chair and without another word, dashed to the bedroom. When he returned, he held open the