Every Single Thing About You: A “Tuck Yes” Love Story - Book 3 by Hopkins, Faleena (best fiction novels of all time .TXT) 📕

to dress — everything about him says money. He whispers in Tempest’s ear after clocking a recognizable star walking onto set, and she laughs.

My gaze drops to her body, white-lace bohemian skirt and silky halter made brighter by the sun. She’s in sandals today. Still has those anklets, though, and her nails are all painted sunflower yellow. My heart starts to pound against my will as Tempest moves her hair off her shoulder, several thin braids pinned away from her face adjusting to the motion as she watches the celebrity for a few curious seconds. Turning back to her guy, she whispers something that warrants a knowing smirk.

I hate him already.

Zia’s smile grows as she greets Nax, “Hello there Movie Mogul.”

He meets her halfway, “Hello Goddess,” kissing her.

She offers me a wary smile, “Hi Josh. Where are the boys?”

I grunt, “Bathroom,” gaze cutting to her cousin. “Tempest,” I nod, feeling the amount of time since I saw her last.

She gives me just as curt a nod. “Josh.”

Her smirking fuck-nut extends a hand, “Hey there. We haven’t met.”

“Not sure why we would have.” I shake it once and we step back, eyeballing each other.

He cocks his head. “I’m Evan Tuck, Tempest’s brother.”

My shoulders relax. “Ah, I see. Nice to meet you.”

He smiles, “Likewise.”

“I usually say this of Bennett, but,” Nax clasps my shoulder, “Josh grows on you.”

Tempest mutters, “I’d argue that.”

Zia laughs, “But you won’t, so here we are! Fun times! Show us around, Nax. That’s what we all came for.”

The secret look in his eyes that he’s known for is stronger than ever as my buddy takes Zia’s hand, “This way,” and heads toward the warehouse.

Evan asks, “Can I grab something from Crafty first?”

“You been on a set before?”

“Definitely not as big a budget as yours.” He snatches up a red apple, tossing and catching it. “Had some friends in the film program at N.Y.U. Helped them out from time to time. Even acted in a couple shorts. Remember that, Tempest?”

She laughs, “You were a horrible actor.”

“Was not!”

“Come on.”

He shrugs, “Just wasn’t my thing,” and takes a loud bite that crunches fresh.

We follow Nax and Zia, Tempest between us and them as I offer, “We went to N.Y.U.”

Evan chews and swallows, looking at me from the corner of his eyes. “Yeah? Few years ahead of me then, I guess.”

Tempest grins over her shoulder, “Evan, don’t be rude.”

“I’m not saying they’re old,” he argues before pointing his apple at me. “I saw your boys at the rooftop party we had months back.”

Appalled, Tempest demands, “We?” as sunlight leaves her shoulders.

We follow her inside shades of deep green and blue with Evan informing her with brotherly annoyance, “It was at yours and Christina’s place but Noah and I cleaned up!”

“So you get to claim it?”

“Part host, yeah. I claim it!” Turning to me as we walk, he asks, “They’re like nine or ten, right?”

“Close. Good guess,” I nod, gaze drifting toward the fake city. “Nax’s son, Joe, just turned eleven. Will is mine. He’s about to turn twelve.”

Evan slows down. I look at him and see he’s communicating to me to stay back, too. Curious, I stop walking and glance over to Tempest as she goes deeper into the warehouse with Nax and Zia in the lead.

“I have a question for you.”

Since I can’t imagine what it is, I grunt, “Shoot.”

“Did you Tuck my sister?”

My head swings back. “No!”

“You sure?” He takes a loud bite of the apple.

I hold his gaze and cross my arms. “Never been more sure of anything in my life.”

He swallows, and points the apple at me again. “You thought I was her date and that made you jealous.”

“You’re mistaken.”

Evan whispers, “I’m messing with you.”

“Why?!”

“Because you like her,” he shrugs, “And I’m her kid brother.” Pointing at me, Evan adds, “But just by a year,” as if that’s important.

I watch him walk to join the others, but decide I’m done with this tour, pivoting on my boot. The minute sunlight hits my face Will runs up with his friend, “Dad! Dad! Joe just said that Tempest is coming here today, too!”

Staring at him a second, I ask, “You excited about that, huh?”

“Yeah! I want to show her the wardrobe trailer!”

“Why?”

Will shrugs. “I don’t know. I just do.”

“She’s inside.”

He locks eyes with Joe, and they run into the warehouse.

Odd that he’s running toward her when I’m walking away.

Heading to Crafty, I ask the caterer, “You have anything stronger than a cupcake?” At her blank look, I wave my hand, “I’m kidding,” and walk off to get some air.

Chapter 10

Lunch is served hot from a glossy food truck with a catchy name — Pete’s Pies — but they’re not just serving pizza today. We get choices of tilapia, grilled chicken, and vegan options like this meatless meatball pasta I chose, even though my appetite has failed me.

A tented patio was erected for meals during production at this location with circular tables and uncomfortable folding chairs meant for temporary enjoyment, are jam packed with crew and cast.

Nax informs our party, “Crew always eats first because they’ll set up the next shot. Stars don’t always sit with us for meals, oftentimes eating in their trailers. But she’s a gem.” He jogs his chin toward a celebrity actress who’s been around for many decades, laughing at a table of people who hang on her every word. “Yesterday she sat with the grips. Today with background talent who don’t even have lines. If she ever had an ego about her status, that time is long gone.” He takes a bite of his sausage pizza as Zia touches his hair with love in her eyes.

Will asks me, “Why meatless meatball? Why don’t you just get a meatball pasta?”

Joe reminds him, “That wasn’t on the menu.”

“Meatball pizza was,” Will says holding up his slice.

Joe grins, “Mmm,” taking a bite from his own and adding with his mouth full, “Meatball pizza!”

Josh smirks to Nax, “My boy is teaching