Chapter 12

“They say, 'The more the merrier.' So we all are taking part in wishing you a day that's just perfect from the start ...”

I followed the scent of bacon and cinnamon into the kitchen only to find Lianne standing by the stove with a spatula in her hand and an apron around her slender waist.

The others had already gathered around the island with plates in front of them. A plate of cinnamon rolls sitting dead center.

"Mrs. King, you don't have to do that, I can do it," I said, nervously glancing at Kierra who was typing something out on her phone.

"Nonsense!" she exclaimed. "What kind of mother would I be if I couldn't make a simple breakfast for my family?"

Kierra, I thought as my eyes flickered over to her. You would be Kierra.

I shook my head with a smile as she grabbed me by the shoulders and led me to the only empty seat at the counter; right across from a*****e number five-Alexander.

I stiffly plopped myself down into my seat and turned my attention away from him.

Once again I could feel his eyes burning into the side of my skull.

"What?" I snapped at him. What did he want now?

He smirked at me and shook his head before taking a big bite out of his pancake.

I turned away from him, absentmindedly running a hand through my long brown locks.

"Callista," Jaxon spoke up, his grey eyes meeting my brown ones. For a moment there was a flicker of something in them before it disappeared.

"I have a proposal for you, if you will accept it."

I nodded hesitantly reaching for a cinnamon roll and a knife.

"I was thinking, since there are more people living here now, that maybe Aimée could come help out around the house. It would make things easier for you and Ava. What do you think?"

I slowly placed the roll and the knife onto my plate as I mulled over what he said.

Aimée was Ava's one and only daughter-her most prized child.

She and I had been close as children and were great friends up until Kierra forbade her from coming to the house ever again.

I didn't want to have to burden other people with my problems just because the work had suddenly become too much. I could handle it...though some help would be nice...

"I don't want to bother her with meaningless things," I said.

"Nonsense! With a house this size you will need an entire staff of people," Lianne chimed in. "Hell, Serena could help too."

Serena nodded enthusiastically and said "It's going to be so much fun. We could be The Real Housewives of California. Plus, then you would not have to be alone."

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face at her enthusiasm or her purely innocent sentiment.

Oh, if only you knew.

"It's settled then," Jaxon clapped his hands together ignoring the look of protest Kierra threw him. "I will speak with Ava and we will work things out."

"Wonderful! Why don't we get a pool boy while we are at it?" Kierra exclaimed sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"Actually, that is a great idea, Kierra," Jaxon said, smirking. "Do you have any suggestions?"

Kierra sniffed at him-turning her nose up into the air, before she stood up and walked out of the kitchen, her Louis Vuitton heels clicking against the marble.

"So...what are we going to do today?"

We all looked at each other curiously, contemplating how to spend our day as we finished our meals. Hmm...I could always go practice on my-

"I've got an idea," Jaxon said. "Why not throw a housewarming party to celebrate the joining of our two families?"

"Great idea! Let's have a barbecue by the pool," Hunter suggested.

"Wonderful. Callista, I know it is short notice but do you think you could get the food ready while we set up?" Jaxon asked.

"No problem, sir-I mean Jaxon," I said, mentally berating myself. I pushed myself away from the island and stuck my plate into the dishwasher.

Just as I was heading into the kitchen I heard the six words that suddenly made my simple task extremely unappealing.

"Xander, sweetling, go help her please."

And that is when I realized that my day was about to turn to s**t.