Zoey Castile - Flashed

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

As always, this novel is possible because of Natalie Hor-bachevsky and Sarah Elizabeth Younger. Your insights and wine-infused outlining has been pivotal for this series. I dont know what Id do without your guidance and faith.

To my editor Norma Perez-Hernandez for championing these characters and their stories, and for believing in me. Thank you to the wonderful Kensington team, who work so hard turning my words into real-life books, Paula Reedy and the production team, the sweetest publicity squad: Jane Nutter, James Akinaka, Lauren Jernigan, Alexandra Nicolajsen, and Vida Engstrand.

To the romance community, especially Rebekah Weatherspoon, Sierra Simone, Sarah MacLean, the wonderful organizers at Lady Jane Salon, and Romance Twitter, who stands up for what they believe in. You inspire me. Heres to a brighter day and HEAs for all.

Finally, my love goes out to romance readers, especially those of you who have come back for Pat & Lenas story. Ive never known such passionate readers. Never let anyone shame you for what you love. It is important and it is worth it. Thank you for keeping romance alive.

Books by Zoey Castile

Stripped

Hired

Flashed

Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Zoey Castile was born in Ecuador and raised in Queens, New York. She started writing in her teens and pursued that love in her studies at Hunter College and the University of Montana. For nearly a decade, she worked as a bartender, hostess, and manager in New York Citys nightlife.

You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ZoeyCastile

EPILOGUE:

Vivir Mi Vida

LENA

February

Dont give Kayli a hard time, I tell Ari over the phone. Dont move things around my studio. Dont forget to do your homework. And

Oh, my gosh, Lena, relax, Ari sighs, clearly annoyed with me. I havent found a balance between guardian/sister/friend yet, but Im sure we will. Youre only going to be gone for a weekend. Thanks for bringing me by the way.

Its an adults-only resort, I remind her.

That sounds gross.

It just means there are no children clogging up the pools, I say, and can practically hear her eyes rolling to the back of her skull. Seriously, dont burn the place down. We love you.

Bye, Pat, Ari shouts, without a single acknowledgment to me.

Patrick grins, and takes my phone from me. Were in the resort in Playa del Carmen for the wedding. Okay, no more cell phones. If theres an emergency, Kayli has all of the numbers to have the front desk get ahold of us. You deserve this weekend off, too.

I know hes right. January was a long month for all of us. We moved both of our siblings from New York to Montana. Ive been pronounced legal guardian of Ari while we sort out the adoption papers. I had my first successful show, but then I got right back to work. Professor Meneses is already talking about being my advisor should I want to go to the grad school program. Its been a whirlwind for Patrick, too. He did one appearance on a late-night show and spoke about the accident for the first time in a year. He has the support of the director and his co-star. Though he keeps saying he doesnt want to act again. Hes still finding his way.

This weekend is about rest and relaxation and celebrating our friends getting married. River and Hutch will get the low-key wedding theyve always wanted.

That evening, we join everyone for the joint bachelor and bachelorette party by the pool. The guys from Mayhem City, Rivers New York Crew, and plus ones are all in attendance.

What exactly happens at a joint hen-stag night? Ricky asks, his arm slung over Scarletts shoulder.

Well, Hutch wouldnt let me have cigars and poker, River says with a wink at her groom. He gives a playful shake of his head.

So, were settling for cigars and an open bar, Hutch says.

A round of drinks appears, and Patrick picks one up. Wait, I thought River brought us all here to dance for her?

Hutch blanks, but then Aiden tackles Patrick into the pool. Theyre like this for hours. I join River and her girlfriends under the cabana.

I dont know about you lot, but Im going to catch up on my reading, Scarlett says, and takes the book she bought at the airport to a hammock nearby. Ricky joins her, and pretty soon, they seem to fall asleep that way. So much for reading.

How do you smoke these? I ask, grimacing.

River takes a slender one from the box brought over by the concierge, a gift from Ricky, and cuts off the tip. I had this manager who used to dip the end of cigar in sambuca and then smoke it. I took a liking to it.

One of my uncles did that, Faith, says as she slathers sunscreen on her brown skin. Shes Aidens fiance. Dont tell Aiden, but Im really loving these pia coladas.

I breathe in the cigar and let myself sink into the Mexican sea and sun. Sky and a girl I havent met join us.

Hi, Im Robyn, she says, and settles in.

Okay, whos my wingwoman tonight? Leti asks.

I thought you and Sky were each others wingwomen, River says, lounging in a way that made her curls look like a golden halo.

I call dibs on Jack, Mari says, glancing over to check and see if Patricks brother is looking at her. He is.

I laugh out loud. Oh, is that why youve spent the last three weeks surprise visiting me? I see how it is.

The heart wants what it wants, Sky says. Shoot your shot.

What about you, Sky?

I just broke off an engagement, she says. Theres a round of apology and sympathy, but she gives us a smile. Its good, really. Im perfectly happy to help, but Im not looking for anything. Its Rivers weekend!

River is already getting married, River says, and we all laugh. This is just the formal part. Do me a favor. Have fun.

Lucky stands, her red bikini already leaving tan lines on her shoulders. This is my new challenge.

Luck! Sky shouts, but the girl is already heading to the pool.

She stands there, and theres a back and forth between Lucky and the guys. When she returns, shes got a smirk on her face.

What just happened? Faith asks.

I just arranged a water volleyball competition for your hand in marriage, Lucky says.

River cackles as Sky nearly chokes on her beer. Before she can get more riled up, Lucky comes clean.

Im kidding, jeez. Were all playing. Losers have to streak down the beach.

We all glance toward River. She takes a puff of her cigar and considers this. Then wed better not lose, ladies.

And we dont. Leti is our ringer, crushing them at the very end of the game.

At sunset, as were all full of food and drinks and joy, the guys run across the beach stark naked while we hold their clothes and cheer. I keep my eye on the shamrock tattoo on Patricks ass until he returns and we have to hand back their clothes.

Hutch walks back over to River and takes her back to the room to get ready for dinner.

The guys all stop and lie down on the sand in weird poses. Mari seems to know whats going on because she snorts behind her hand.

Hey Lena, Vinny says, brushing his hair back.

What? I ask, waiting for the prank.

Paint me like one of your French girls, Aiden says in a high-pitched voice.

Patrick growls. I hate all of you.

The two of us linger on the beach after the others have gone. The sunset bleeds pinks and purples on the horizon.

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