“Yes. He was an underground fighter, ultimate fighter … something like that. I’m not an expert on it, but I watched him send a guy out on a stretcher. Not my thing, but it was kind of …” She glances over her shoulder and winks. “Hot.”

Well great. I’m traveling with someone who has no issue beating another human within inches of their life. If I didn’t feel I could be that next human, I might share Addy’s assessment of Jake’s strength being kind of hot.

“Wait.”

Addy stops at the bottom of the stairs. “Yeah?”

I glance around, seeing no sign of anyone else in earshot. “So you had a fling with Jake, yet he comes here and camps on your property, uses your bathroom, and your husband is okay with it? Does he not know about your past with Jake?”

Her smile is a bit wicked. “Oh, Quinn knows everything. It took a few years before I could even say Jake’s name without him losing his shit. But Jake took over my business, and I still make investments in it. Jake and I share a passion that’s for a greater good—changing the way people look at food. And Quinn loves me, so he deals with my relationship with Jake. I think their relationship has finally hit lukewarm, but I’m guessing that’s where it will peak.”

“Mom?”

Addy looks up the stairs with a smile that I’ve seen a million times before on my sister’s face. It’s the mother smile. “Elena, good morning, sleepyhead.”

A blond-haired girl with olive skin makes her way down the stairs, eyeing me the whole time.

“Elena, this is Avery, Jake’s friend.”

I’m not Jake’s friend. Not by a long shot. Not in this lifetime. Not if he was the last man standing. Nope. Never ever. “Hi, Elena. Nice to meet you. I have a niece that’s just about your size. She likes to surf. What do you like to do?”

“I sail on a boat with my mom.” She hugs Addy.

“That sounds fun.”

“It is.” Addy kisses the top of her head. “Elena loves the water. Her twin, Ben, gets so seasick. Go figure.”

“There’s my girl.” Jake grins, showing all those perfectly irritating teeth.

“Jake,” Elena whispers, hiding behind Addy.

Oh my gosh. She’s blushing.

Addy chuckles. “My darling daughter has a crush on Jake, much to her father’s disapproval.”

“We’ve got time to get your dad’s blessing on our marriage in another decade.”

Elena goes from pink to chili pepper red when Jake kisses her on the cheek.

“Eat up, Avery. We’re leaving soon. I fed Swarley while you two ladies were upstairs talking about me.” He gives me a pointed look while passing by to head up the stairs. “I’ll grab your luggage. Don’t forget to tip the bellboy.”