He was right. I was surrounded by love.
And all of this happened because three lonely young men met in college and became friends. Together, they formed their own family and built an empire.
I would never forget meeting them that fateful day as they argued over household chores in their backyard. Their lack of knowledge about how to do anything was obvious, and it brought out my maternal instincts. I had stepped in to give them a hand and soon found myself immersed in their world.
They added a depth to my life I had been missing, and somehow, I gave them what they needed. I became the love they could accept, until they were able to love themselves enough to find the person they were meant to share their life with. And because of their love, I was strong enough to do the same when it was my time to find love again.
They were the sons I never had, the businessmen I was honored to be associated with, and they had all become the men I knew they would be one day.
But they were, and always would be, boys to me.
The BAM boys.
My boys.
Thank you so much for reading SANDY - VESTED INTEREST BOOK 7. If you are so inclined, reviews are always welcome by me at your eretailer.
I rarely cry when writing-and I am not sure I have ever wept while editing. I did-twice. And when I reached the words at the bottom of the page and realized my BAM series was done-I was snotty mess.
If you have not met the VanRyan clan, Richard and Katy VanRyan’s story begins with my series The Contract. You meet a more arrogant version of Richard, which makes his story much sweeter when he falls.
If you love a hero who is looking for a new beginning, Linc, from my novel The Summer of Us, would be a recommended standalone to read next. It is a story of second chances set in the small-town of Mission Cove.
If you’d like another glimpse into the Vested Interest family’s future, click below to grab a little more time with them - Extended Epilogue Sandy.
Enjoy reading! Melanie
Girl’s Night for Shopping
A scene with the ladies of Vested Interest for a non-typical catalog party featured on Pure Romance™ blog.
I pushed open the door, holding it ajar with my shoulder and listening intently. I could hear the sound of laughter drifting down the hall, so I knew Becca still had her friends here. She had ordered me out for the evening, telling me not to come home until at least ten.
I glanced at my watch. It was almost eleven. She was usually asleep by this time, but from the sounds of the merriment coming from the living room, she was still wake awake and partying.
I smirked as I soundlessly shut the door, wondering how long it would be before I started getting texts from Aiden, Maddox, and Bentley, asking me where their wives were. I was surprised Van wasn't standing outside my door demanding I turn Liv over to him right now-the possessive bastard. I laughed at my own thoughts-I couldn't blame him. Recently married, they were still in that honeymoon phase, and to be honest, I still felt the same way about Becca. I hated giving up our private time for anyone.
I shrugged off my coat and hung it in the closet, planning on quietly making my way to our bedroom and not interrupting whatever was happening in the living room. I would wait for Becca there and not disturb her evening with her friends.
Another burst of laughter stopped my steps.
"Oh, my God, Reid would explode if I bought that."
There was more laughter.
"Explode in the very best way of course," Emmy drawled.
My ears perked up at the mention of my name.
Bought what?
Unable to resist, I peeked around the corner, my eyes widening in shock. Becca and her friends were staring at a woman holding up a pretty, sexy, pink baby doll outfit. I knew the term because Becca wore them a lot for me. I liked this one. But why were they looking at lingerie? And who was that woman?
"You need to buy that," Cami agreed. "I'm going for the little number in purple we saw earlier. Aiden will love it."
The woman holding the lingerie grinned. "You ladies are the best group I've ever had a party with. I love how open you all are with what you like and want to order."
Dee lifted her glass of wine. "It's not as if we wouldn't tell each other anyway. It's more fun like this."
"Go back to the toys, Sonya," Cami instructed. "There were at least three of them I want. Aiden will go crazy for them." She giggled, reaching for her wine. "I might not be able to walk for a few days."
All the women laughed.
Toys?
Sonya smiled. "Which do you want more information on? The dildos? Butt plugs?" She held up a box, a logo-Pure Romance- emblazoned along the front. "Rabbits?"
"All of them," Becca responded.
I almost swallowed my tongue.
Becca was having a sex toy party and didn't want me to know. No doubt she planned to surprise me.
I backed away, trying not to make any noise. If she wanted to surprise me, I was all for that. The thought of her wearing that sexy lingerie made me hard. Adding a toy or two would not only make it interesting but would guarantee I would be smiling for days.
I glanced at the empty bottles of wine on the counter, wondering how to encourage her to buy lots of items without blowing my cover that I knew what she was doing.
As I reached for my coat, a throat clearing startled me. I spun around to meet Sandy's amused gaze.
"I thought I heard something," she said softly.
"I, ah, was about to leave. Let you ladies keep going." I waved my hand. "At, ah, whatever it is you're doing."
She lifted one eyebrow skeptically. "You're a smart man, Reid. I'm pretty sure you have a good idea."
I tugged on my jacket, unable to hide my wide grin. "Well, I certainly know what I hope is going on." I indicated the room with the tilt of my chin. "I don't want to interrupt. How much longer should I be gone?"
"We're just placing our orders. Another hour should do it."
I almost dropped my keys. "We're just placing our orders? Sandy-you too?"
Sandy was buying sexy stuff?
She crossed her arms. "I am a woman, you know. You have something to say about that, Reid?"
I shook my head fast. "No. Not a word."
"Good choice."
I began to back out of the door, then paused. "Sandy?"
"Yes?"
"Make sure Becca buys that pink number, okay? And lots of things-anything she wants. I'll happily pay for anything. Anything. Everything." I emphasized.
Her smirk was wide. "Got it."
I hurried down the hall, planning on heading to the local diner to pass the next hour. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, dialing Aiden.
"Dude," he answered. "Where is my wife?"
"Fuck," I mumbled. "You are never going to believe what's going on."
"Tell me."
Aiden slid into the booth across from me.
"Dude, what are you doing here?" I asked. "I told you I'd let you know when it was over."
"Relax," Aiden smirked. "Cami called and told me she had too much to drink and asked me to pick her up in an hour. I thought I'd keep you company."